Iran
Iran, the Bomb, and U.S. Public Opinion
Stewart M. Patrick, Council on Foreign Relations – July 16, 2012
The Obama administration hoped the specter of an oil embargo and increasingly stringent banking sanctions would finally force Iran to come clean on its clandestine nuclear program and end its enrichment activities. No such luck. After the third round of P5+1 negotiations in Moscow ended last month in a stalemate, the White House and Congress are competing to isolate the intransigent Iranian government.
Pentagon Bulks Up Defenses in the Gulf
Adam Entous and Julian E. Barnes, Wall Street Journal – July 17, 2012
The Pentagon is building a missile-defense radar station at a secret site in Qatar and organizing its biggest-ever minesweeping exercises in the Persian Gulf, as preparations accelerate for a possible flare-up with Iran, according to U.S. officials.
Experts Call for Concessions to Allow U.N. Nuclear Probe in Irane
Global Security Newswire – July 16, 2012
Iran should receive amnesty from past transgressions or curbs on economic penalties if it agrees to support an international investigation of possible weapon-related atomic activities, Reuters on Sunday quoted experts as saying.
North Korea
Young North Korea leader pushes out father’s allies as he tightens grip
David Chance, Reuters – July 17, 2012
North Korea’s young leader promoted a new army marshal after sacking his top general in what a South Korean official report said was a bid to impose authority on a military that has been the backbone of his family’s long rule over the isolated state.
Defense Spending
Voters want to cut defense spending — even when it benefits their districts
Suzy Khimm, Washington Post – July 16, 2012
Ordinary Americans are far more eager to cut defense spending than their representatives in Washington. As I noted a few weeks ago, a survey by the Stimson Center shows they want a 18 percent cut, or a $103.5 billion reduction, compared to President Obama’s proposal to cut defense by just 0.7 percent in 2013 and Romney’s plan to increase defense spending by 17 percent in 2013.
Law of the Sea
GOP Move Leaves Sea Treaty Dead in the Water
Keith Johnson, Wall Street Journal – July 17, 2012
Senate Democrats’ hopes of passing the Law of the Sea Treaty sank Monday, when a pair of Republican senators announced they oppose it.
