Iran
Skeptics doubt U.S. can be certain about Iran’s nuclear progress
Ken Dilanian, Los Angeles Times – March 11, 2012
Despite President Obama’s assurances that the United States will know if Tehran begins to secretly build a nuclear bomb, some senior officials familiar with U.S. intelligence and spying capabilities in Iran are doubtful.
Israel Unveils New Bunker Buster, Hones ‘Credible’ Military Option for Iran
Barbara Opall-Rome, Defense News – March 11, 2012
Israel last week unveiled an improved precision, bunker-burrowing weapon, the latest in a series of operational upgrades aimed at honing what one official here labeled “a very credible military option” against the Iranian nuclear threat.
U.N. Won’t Back Down on Iran Nuclear Inspections
Michael Adler, The Daily Beast – March 11, 2012
The U.N. nuclear agency will not back off its demand to visit the Parchin military site even if this escalates the confrontation with Iran over its alleged nuclear-weapons work, the agency’s head Yukiya Amano told Newsweek/The Daily Beast in an exclusive interview.
Iran’s UN fact sheet: Weapons track not confirmed
George Jahn, Associated Press – March 11, 2012
Nine years ago, the United States invaded Iraq after telling the world that Saddam Hussein had covert weapons programs that could build nuclear arms. In the end, nothing was found. Today, acting on similar fears, Israel is threatening to attack Iran.
Korean Peninsula
Obama considers visiting DMZ during trip to S. Korea this month
Yonhap News Agency – March 12, 2012
U.S. President Barack Obama is considering visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean Peninsula during his trip to South Korea later this month to attend a nuclear security summit, a diplomatic source in Seoul said Monday.
United States
Reps. Markey, Turner clash again over size of the US nuclear arsenal
Jeremy Herb, The Hill (Blog) – March 9, 2012
In their latest quarrel over the size of the country’s nuclear force, Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Michael Turner (R-Ohio) are once again pushing competing plans for the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Looming defense cuts prompt GOP shift
David Rogers, Politico – March 11, 2012
House Republicans leaders hope to use this spring’s budget resolution to set in motion a novel deficit-reduction bill designed to substitute for the nearly $110 billion in automatic spending cuts due to take effect in January.
