Iran
IAEA head “not optimistic” on access to Iran military site
Reuters – August 22, 2012
The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief played down chances of a breakthrough when talks with Iran resume on Friday but said the agency would pursue access to a military site that diplomats say may have been cleansed of evidence of illicit nuclear activity.
North Korea
North Korea’s Kim Going to Iran, But Which Kim?
Joohee Cho, ABC News – August 22, 2012
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will travel to Iran next week, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, but South Korean press suggests that Iran may have gotten its Kims mixed up.
Syria
U.S. has plans in place to secure Syria chemical arms
David S. Cloud and Shashank Bengali, LA Times – August 22, 2012
The Pentagon has made contingency plans to send small teams of special operations troops into Syria if the White House decides it needs to secure chemical weapons depots now controlled by security forces loyal to President Bashar Assad, senior U.S. officials said.
Missile Defense
U.S. Plans New Asia Missile Defenses
Adam Entous and Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal – August 23, 2012
The U.S. is planning a major expansion of missile defenses in Asia, a move American officials say is designed to contain threats from North Korea, but one that could also be used to counter China’s military.
Defense Spending
CBO Projects Defense Spending Under Sequestration; Warns of Recession
Marcus Weisgerber, Defense News – August 22, 2012
The United States could slip into a recession if Congress fails to modify planned spending cuts and tax increases set to start next year, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects in a new report.
Presidential Campaign
GOP plan for foreign policy and defense platform is predictable
Walter Pincus, Washington Post – August 22, 2012
Many following the presidential campaign will not be surprised by the Republican Party’s draft platform plank on foreign policy and defense, which was approved by its platform committee Tuesday.
