IRAN
House panel OKs tougher penalties against Iran, targeting companies doing business with Tehran
AP (Washington Post) – November 2, 2011
A House panel on Wednesday unanimously approved harsher penalties against Iran, arguing that an economically weak Tehran will struggle in its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Iran’s nuclear activity under scrutiny as evidence of weapons threat emerges
Julian Borger, The Guardian – November 2, 2011
A report by the UN’s nuclear watchdog due to be circulated around the world next week will provide fresh evidence of a possible Iranian nuclear weapons programme, bringing the Middle East a step closer to a devastating new conflict, say diplomats.
ISRAEL
Israelis hold defense drill for missile attack
Ari Rabinovitch, Reuters – November 3, 2011
Israel staged a mass drill on Thursday, simulating a missile attack in the center of the country at a time of intense speculation that the Jewish state could launch strikes on Iran, although the military dismissed any link.
Poll shows strong support in Israel for military attack against Iranian nuclear program
AP (Washington Post) – November 2, 2011
The Israeli government would have significant support at home for an Israeli military strike against Iran’s nuclear program, according to a poll published Thursday.
NORTH & SOUTH KOREA
Time to engage world on Korean unification
Kim Young-jin, Korea Times – November 3, 2011
Unification ? the word itself could hardly be more evocative for Koreans, who for decades have mulled the immense effects the event would have for its people. But calls are growing for the issue to be discussed among the international community as well given its projected far-reaching impact.
North Korea’s economy shrinks in 2010: S. Korea
AFP – November 3, 2011
North Korea’s troubled economy shrank for the second straight year in 2010 as it faced sluggish agricultural production and tougher international sanctions, South Korea’s central bank said Thursday.
AFGHANISTAN
Source: US may speed shift to Afghan advisory role
Robert Burns, AP – November 2, 2011
The Obama administration is considering an early shift in the U.S. military role in Afghanistan from primarily combat to mainly advisory and training duties, even as it struggles to create the beginnings of a political settlement of the war, a senior U.S. official said.
Afghanistan Consults Neighbors on Security
Sebnem Arsu, NYT – November 3, 2011
In the largest meeting of its kind to date, representatives of Afghanistan and 12 nearby countries gathered in Istanbul on Wednesday to discuss regional efforts to rebuild security and stability in and around Afghanistan as NATO-led forces prepare to pull out of the country by the end of 2014.
UNITED STATES
How to Cut the Defense Budget Responsibly
David W. Barno, Nora Bensahel & Travis Sharp, Foreign Affairs – November 2, 2011
Washington’s national security community is sounding the alarm about a new era of fiscal constraints at the Pentagon. But if reductions are done within reason, the U.S. military can retain its preeminence by focusing strategically on Asia.
Pentagon chiefs: bigger defense cuts would hurt US
Robert Burns, AP – November 2, 2011
Military leaders warned Congress on Wednesday that steeper cuts in defense spending, as either a policy choice or a consequence of political gridlock, will gut the armed forces and sap U.S. global influence.
