IRAN
U.N. nuclear chief: Iran talks ‘going round in circles’
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters — June 3, 2013
The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said on Monday talks with Iran have been “going around in circles” – unusually blunt criticism pointing to rising tension over suspected nuclear arms research by Tehran that has increased fears of a new Middle East war.
Iran presidential hopefuls united on nuclear issue
Parvez Jabri, Business Recorder — June 3, 2013
The eight candidates standing for president this month may differ on several issues, but when it comes to Iran’s nuclear drive they are united in pursuing what they see as its peaceful atomic ambitions.
NORTH KOREA
Allies once again vow to be tough with North Korea
The Japan Times — June 3, 2013
Japan, the U.S. and South Korea have vowed again to work together to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile development and other recent provocations.
U.S. to Bolster Missile Defense Against N.Korea
The Chosun Ilbo — June 3, 2013
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has vowed to bolster U.S. missile defense and thwart any attempts by North Korea to attack American soil.
Hagel said the U.S. will “not sit idly by” as North Korea tries to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching the continental U.S. He vowed to take “all necessary steps” to create a missile defense system in the Pacific that can protect the U.S. mainland and its allies.
China takes credit for North Korea’s offer of nuclear weapons talks
Jonathan Manthorpe, Vancouver Sun — June 2, 2013
Official Chinese Communist Party-controlled media note that silence settled over Pyongyang after Beijing clearly expressed its displeasure at Kim’s antics by imposing banking sanctions on North Korea in early May.
CHINA
Think Tank: China Boosts Nuclear Arms Arsenal
Malin Rising, Associated Press — June 3, 2013
China, India and Pakistan have increased their nuclear weapons by about 10 warheads each in the past year, and other nuclear states appear set on maintaining their arsenals, a Swedish think tank said Monday.
China maintains no-first-use nuclear pledge
Agence France-Presse — June 2, 2013
China is maintaining its pledge not to be the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict, a top Chinese general said Sunday.
Omission of the “no-first-use” pledge in a recently released defence white paper had created ripples in military circles and sparked speculation that China may have dropped the policy.
DEFENSE SPENDING
Plan to shut military supermarkets shows difficulty of cutting defense spending
Rajiv Chandrasekaran, The Washington Post — June 1, 2013
The commissary fight was an opening salvo — and a glimpse of the opposition — in the next big war facing the U.S. military: confronting the enormous cost of pay raises, benefits programs and other taxpayer-subsidized services… With Pentagon spending set to shrink over the next five years, senior military leaders warn that they will be forced to order reductions in troop strength, training and equipment purchases if personnel expenditures are not curtailed.
Small veterans group advocates for military spending cuts
Rajiv Chandrasekaran, The Washington Post — June 1, 2013
[Pete Hegseth]… runs a small and scrappy group called Concerned Veterans for America. It is far smaller than the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars or other well-known veterans service organizations. But it is unusual in its mission: Instead of advocating for more benefits, he wants to provide political cover to legislators who want to make what he calls “tough decisions about our military.”
