Iran
Clinton to Iran: Show that nuclear arms not sought
Bradley Klapper, Associated Press – April 1, 2012
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Sunday urged Iran to back up its declaration that Islam bars weapons of mass destruction by agreeing to a plan that would prove it does not intend to develop nuclear arms.
Korean Peninsula
Images show North Korea launch work
Foster Klug, Associated Press – April 2, 2012
New satellite images of a North Korean rocket launch site show a mobile radar trailer and rows of what appear to be empty fuel and oxidizer tanks, evidence of ramped-up preparation for what Washington calls a cover for a long-range missile test.
North Korea Party Calls for Leadership Meeting
New York Times – April 2, 2012
North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party will convene a representatives’ conference on April 11, the country’s state-ran news agency, K.C.N.A., reported on Monday. Analysts said the rare meeting was expected to anoint the new North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as the official head of the party.
Rocket to cost North equivalent of feeding 19 mil. for 1 year
Yonhap News Agency – April 2, 2012
This month’s long-range rocket launch will cost North Korea some US$850 million, the equivalent of feeding 19 million people for one year, intelligence authorities in Seoul estimated Monday.
Nuclear Testing
U.S. Has No Need to Test Atomic Arsenal
Matthew Wald, New York Times – March 31, 2012
The United States does not need to explode nuclear weapons in order to be sure its aging arsenal is still potent, and its ability to detect weapons tests by others is good, according to a report released Friday by the National Academy of Sciences.
Middle East
In Yemen, lines blur as U.S. steps up airstrikes
Ken Dilanian and David S. Cloud, Los Angeles Times – April 2, 2012
A surveillance aircraft operated by the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command flew over southeastern Yemen on the evening of March 9, tracking a mid-level Al Qaeda commander as he drove to his mountain hideout.
U.S. Joins Effort to Equip and Pay Rebels in Syria
Steven Lee Myers, New York Times – April 2, 2012
The United States and dozens of other countries moved closer on Sunday to direct intervention in the fighting in Syria, with Arab nations pledging $100 million to pay opposition fighters and the Obama administration agreeing to send communications equipment to help rebels organize and evade Syria’s military, according to participants gathered here.
