IRAN
Diplomats: U.N. nuclear investigation could be foiled by clean-up
Fredrik Dahl , Reuters – May 29, 2013
The U.N. nuclear watchdog acknowledged on Wednesday it might not find anything if allowed access to an Iranian military facility, in an apparent reference to suspected clean-up work there, diplomats said.
Canada freezes trade with Iran over nuclear program, human rights
Reuters — May 29, 2013
Canada will freeze all remaining trade with Iran to protest the Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and its human rights record, Foreign Minister John Baird said on Wednesday.
U.S. Hitting Iran Stirs Less Strife Than Israeli Attack
Tony Capaccio, Bloomberg — May 29, 2013
U.S. air strikes against Iranian nuclear research and production facilities, if warranted, would result in fewer political repercussions than Israeli attacks, according to an analysis by a former member of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
BOMBING IRAN: A DEBATE AT THE ATLANTIC
Israeli or U.S. Action Against Iran: Who Will Do It If It Must Be Done?
James Cartwright and Amos Yadlin, The Atlantic — May 28, 2013
Two retired generals present a case study in how military action against Tehran could unfold.
For the Record, I Completely Disagree With Our Latest ‘Bomb Iran’ Post
James Fallows, The Atlantic — May 29, 2013
James Fallows, a national security correspondent for The Atlantic, argues that Cartwright and Yadlin’s piece represents “the least useful sort of ‘analysis’ to present about a military decision.”
NORTH KOREA
Park, Xi likely to adopt statement on ‘denuclearization’ of N. Korea
Yonhap News Agency — May 30, 2013
President Park Geun-hye and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to adopt a joint declaration that includes the “denuclearization” of North Korea, after their summit talks set for late next month, a diplomatic source in Seoul said Thursday.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Navy Ships Form First Line Of Missile Defense
Associated Press — May 30, 2013
…The Stethem, a destroyer, is one of two warships in the western Pacific that are responsible for detecting, tracking and, if necessary, shooting down a ballistic missile launched by Pyongyang. And they represent the first line of defense for U.S. allies and territories in a region that has become increasingly nervous as North Korea has ratcheted up its rhetoric and threats in recent months.
NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION
Nations Refresh Campaign to Catch WMD Smugglers
Chris Schneidmiller, Global Security Newswire — May 29, 2013
The United States and allied governments on Tuesday pledged to strengthen a WMD trafficking interdiction program with more drills, more members and a stronger international legal framework.
Senior diplomats from 72 nations gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for a high-level political meeting observing the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Proliferation Security Initiative.
INDIA
Agni-V to be modified to attack multiple targets
Y. Mallikarjun, The Hindu — May 28, 2013
The configuration of Agni-V, India’s long-range nuclear weapons capable ballistic missile, is set to be changed to make the 5,000-km weapon system deadlier and capable of attacking multiple targets.
