Iran
U.S. Sees Iran in Bids to Stir Unrest in Afghanistan
Thom Shanker, Eric Schmitt and Alissa Rubin, New York Times – April 4, 2012
Just hours after it was revealed that American soldiers had burned Korans seized at an Afghan detention center in late February, Iran secretly ordered its agents operating inside Afghanistan to exploit the anticipated public outrage by trying to instigate violent protests in the capital, Kabul, and across the western part of the country, according to American officials.
Iran proposes Baghdad as nuclear talks venue
Patrick Markey, Reuters – April 4, 2012
Iraq said on Wednesday it had offered to host talks between Iran and six world powers on Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme next week, acting on an Iranian request to change the venue from Istanbul following friction with Turkey.
Korean Peninsula
NKorea launch an intel opportunity for US, allies
Eric Talmadge, Associated Press – April 5, 2012
As the U.S. and its allies decry North Korea’s planned rocket launch, they’re also rushing to capitalize on the rare opportunity it presents to assess the secretive nation’s ability to strike beyond its shores.
Afghanistan
India Billions Secure Afghan Mines in Challenge to China Drive
Eltaf Najafizada and James Rupert, Bloomberg BusinessWeek – April 4, 2012
An Indian security guard, cradling a Kalashnikov assault rifle, shadowed two Indian engineers as they inspected the concrete shell of the parliament building they are constructing — in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
Arms Control
Future of US, Russian Short-Range Nuclear Weapons Could Be on Negotiating Table
André de Nesnera, Voice of America – April 4, 2012
The United States and Russia still have tactical – or short-range – nuclear weapons, most of them located in Europe. These weapons could be the focus of U.S.-Russian talks. President Barack Obama has made reducing nuclear weapons worldwide a priority foreign policy issue. Experts say the New START treaty reducing U.S. and Russian long-range, or strategic nuclear weapons, was a major step in that direction.
Missile Defense
Israel seeks multi-year US missile defense aid
Yaakov Katz, Jerusalem Post – April 4, 2012
Israel is in talks with the US about increasing its financial aid for Israeli missile defense programs and establishing a multi-year budget program which will not require annual administration approval.
