IRAN
Iran Nuclear Talks to Resume This Month
Alan Cowell, The New York Times – Feb 5, 2013
Breaking a deadlock over the location and timing of new talks on its disputed nuclear program, Iran reached agreement on Tuesday with world powers to resume the stuttering dialogue later this month in Kazakhstan, according to the official IRNA news agency.
NORTH KOREA
North Korea threatens to take ‘stronger measure’ than third nuclear test
David Chance, Reuters – Feb 5, 2013
North Korea stepped up its bellicose rhetoric on Tuesday threatening to go beyond carrying out a promised third nuclear test in response to what it believes are “hostile” sanctions imposed after a December rocket launch. It did not spell out the actions it would take.
The anatomy of North Korea’s nuclear test tunnels released for the first time
Kim Kyu-won, The Hankyoreh – Feb 5, 2013
On Feb. 4, the Ministry of National Defense released a two-dimensional diagram of what is believed to be the tunnel used in North Korea’s second nuclear test in May 2009. The plan was based on an analysis by South Korean and US nuclear experts of a nuclear testing diagram that appeared in part two of “Naega Bon Nara (The Country I Saw),” a film broadcast on Korean Central Television on Sept. 8, 2010.
What comes after North Korea’s nuclear test?
George Lopez, CNN – Feb 5, 2013
George Lopez speculates on how the world should best respond if North Korea performs a nuclear test.
Kishida, Kerry urge N. Korea to drop N-test
Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network – Feb 5, 2013
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and new US Secretary of State John Kerry agreed during telephone talks late Sunday to strengthen bilateral cooperation as they seek to stop North Korea from conducting a nuclear test.
CHINA
What China’s Missile Intercept Test Means
Li Bin, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace – Feb 4, 2013
China recently carried out its second missile intercept test, which U.S. observers may be tempted to interpret as a sign that Beijing is planning to build its own national missile defense system. But before jumping to conclusions, the nature, purpose, and consequences of that test need to be carefully analyzed.
HAGEL NOMINATION
McCain Says He Won’t Support Filibuster Of Chuck Hagel Nomination
Associated Press, CBS DC – Feb 5, 2013
Republican Sen. John McCain, a sharp critic of Chuck Hagel’s nomination as defense secretary, said Monday he will not support a filibuster of President Barack Obama’s pick, even though he declined to say whether he intends to vote for confirmation.
