IRAN
Iran nuclear sanctions hurt the middle class, not Guards
Oren Dorell, USA Today – November 17, 2011
International sanctions aimed at Iran’s nuclear program have hurt the country’s middle class and caused factories to shut down while low-quality goods flood the country, say foreign policy analysts.
Nuclear Watchdog Seeks Consensus on Iran
Alan Cowell, NYT – November 18, 2011
The global powers dealing with the bitter international dispute over Iran’s nuclear intentions were reported on Friday to be seeking a consensus for new demands on Tehran to allay deepening apprehensions about its suspected efforts to build a nuclear weapon.
Iranian delegate accuses IAEA chief of security leaks that threaten Iranian lives
AP – November 18, 2011
A senior Iranian envoy is accusing the head of the U.N. nuclear body of security leaks that expose his country’s scientists and their families to the threat of assassination by the U.S. and Israel.
Iran and the I.A.E.A.
Seymour M. Hersh, The New Yorker – November 18, 2011
The first question in last Saturday night’s Republican debate on foreign policy dealt with Iran, and a newly published report by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
NORTH & SOUTH KOREA
NKorea denies helping Iran develop nuclear arms
AP – November 18, 2011
North Korea is denying allegations that it has helped Iran to develop nuclear weapons. North Korea’s official media said Friday that unspecified “dishonest forces” have spread rumors of a nuclear link between the two countries
S. Korea, IAEA agree to step up cooperation over N.K. nuclear program
Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News – November 8, 2011
South Korea and the United Nations’ atomic watchdog have agreed to work together more closely to end North Korea’s nuclear weapons development, a senior Seoul official said Friday.
China vows closer military ties with ally North Korea amid lingering tensions on peninsula
Washington Post (AP) – November 18, 2011
China said Friday it would strengthen military ties with ally North Korea, amid continuing tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul and stalled efforts to restart nuclear disarmament talks.
UNITED STATES
Pentagon chief calls India, China ‘threats’
AFP – November 17, 2011
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta referred to India and China as “threats” on Thursday, but his spokesman quickly sought to clarify his remarks.
GOP Primary Voters Trust Gingrich Most With Nukes
David Tech, TPM – November 17, 2011
According to a Fox News poll released yesterday, a significant plurality of Republican voters think Newt Gingrich is the most trustworthy candidate when it comes to nuclear weapons. 30% would most trust the former House Speaker with the nuclear codes, compared to 17% for Mitt Romney, who came in second place.
Nunn-Lugar Program Eliminates Five Ballistic Missiles
Global Security Newswire – November 17, 2011
The U.S. Cooperative Threat Reduction Program in September helped facilitate elimination of one ICBM and four submarine-launched ballistic missiles, Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) announced on Tuesday
