IRAN
Iran Attack Would Halt Nuclear Bid for Four Years, Report Says
Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg News – September 12, 2012
A U.S. or Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would derail the Islamic Republic’s suspected weapons program for four years at most while uniting its citizens and alienating the Muslim world, according to a report.The report to be released today by the “Iran Project,” a bipartisan group of former national-security officials and foreign-policy specialists, discusses the military pros and cons of a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities and outlines the less- discussed political fallout of any such attack.
S.Africa throws UN nuclear meeting on Iran into disarray
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – September 13, 2012
South Africa proposed a last-minute change to a U.N. nuclear agency resolution rebuking Iran on Thursday, throwing the meeting into confusion, diplomats said.Six world powers put forward the draft text on Wednesday, aiming to add diplomatic pressure on Tehran, a day after Israel ramped up threats to attack the Islamic Republic which it believes is seeking nuclear weapons capability.
Iran watches warily as US, allies prepare for biggest yet anti-mine naval exercises in Mideast
AP, Washington Post – September 13, 2012
The United States and more than two dozen allies are gearing up for the largest naval exercise ever in the Middle East focused on countering the threat of anti-ship mines. A wary Iran says it will be watching closely.
Nuclear Mullahs
Bill Keller, NYTimes Opinion – September 9, 2012
Can we live with a nuclear Iran? Given a choice of raining bunker-busting munitions on Iran’s underground enrichment facilities, or, alternatively, containing a nuclear-armed Iran with the sobering threat of annihilation, which is the less bad option? As the slogan goes in Israel: “Bomb? Or The Bomb?” See also, Nuclear Mullahs continued
NORTH KOREA
Ex-USFK commander warns against North’s nuclear and missile threats
The Korea Times – September 13, 2012
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un may carry out a nuclear or missile test to bolster his leadership at home and abroad, a former chief of U.S. Forces Korea said Thursday, calling on Seoul to beef up its missile defense system to counter growing threats from the belligerent North.
NKorea calls SKorea’s offer of flood aid an insult
Hyung Jin Kim, Bloomberg Businessweek – September 13, 2012
North Korea has criticized South Korea’s offer to send aid for flood victims, with officials calling the amount and types of the goods an insult, North Korean state media reported Thursday. After Pyongyang asked what aid items the South could send, Seoul on Tuesday proposed providing 10,000 tons of flour, 3 million packages of ramen noodles and medical supplies, according to South Korean officials. South Korea’s Unification Ministry said Wednesday that North Korea had rejected its offer, a decision it said was “very regrettable.”
MISSILE DEFENSE
Putin: I’m ‘grateful’ to Romney for proving me right about missile defense
Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor – September 12, 2012
President Vladimir Putin has lashed back at Mitt Romney’s repetitious portrayal of Russia as the US’s “geopolitical foe,” saying he’s grateful to the Republican contender for making it clear that Moscow would be unwise to trust any future verbal commitments made by any US leader.
DEFENSE SPENDING
Defense a big winner in spending talks
Walter Pincus, The Washington Post – September 12, 2012
A first step to deal with the nation’s budgetary problems began Tuesday with the introduction of a bipartisan fiscal 2013 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, which would provide funds to continue running the government at least through March 27. The Republican-run House is expected to debate and vote on the continuing resolution — CR — by next week so that the Democratic-controlled Senate would have time to pass it before fiscal 2012 ends Sept. 30. Otherwise, we’ll face another government shutdown.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Romney causes stir with remarks on attacks
Matt Viser, Boston Globe – September 13, 2012
Mitt Romney on Wednesday strongly criticized President Obama’s response to attacks on Americans in the Middle East, prompting both Republicans and Democrats to warn Romney against seeking political points over a crisis involving the death of US citizens abroad.
Paul Ryan Libya Response: Obama Defense Cuts ‘Breed Weakness’
Scott Bauer, Huffington Post – September 12, 2012
Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan said Wednesday that President Barack Obama’s defense spending cuts “breed weakness” and that the United States can’t afford that posture following the killings of four Americans in Libya.
