IRAN
Iran and the Arab Uprisings
Jayshree Bajoria, CFR – October 3, 2011
The mass uprisings sweeping the Middle East have fed a competition for regional influence as the old order continues to totter. In the thick of things is Iran, which has great interest in the viability of its embattled Syrian allies, the Saudi role in Bahrain, and the leadership turnover in longtime rival Egypt.
Is Iran Ready to Compromise?
Robert Dreyfuss, The Diplomat – October 1, 2011
There are some encouraging signs Iran may be willing to compromise over its nuclear programme. But is the Obama administration willing to listen?
NORTH KOREA
US-NK nuclear talks likely after Lee-Obama summit
The Korea Times – October 1, 2011
The United States and North Korea are likely to hold their second round of nuclear disarmament talks later this month, after a summit meeting between the South Korean and U.S. presidents, a senior government official in Seoul said, stressing the allies’ close cooperation on the issue.
Can Seoul make play for detainees in North Korea?
Kim Young-jin, Korea Times – October 3, 2011
Calls are growing for the government to step up efforts to rescue South Koreans detained in North Korea, including a 69-year-old woman stranded for decades after being lured there with her husband. But given North Korea’s dismal track record on human rights, does it stand any chance of securing their return?
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
Analysis: Pakistani links to the Haqqani group
M Ilyas Khan, BBC – October 3, 2011
Afghan militant leader Sirajuddin Haqqani’s interview with the BBC has come at a time of heightened tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as between Pakistan and the US.
Afghanistan says Rabbani’s killer was Pakistani
Hamid Shalizi and Omar Sobhani, Reuters – October 3, 2011
Afghanistan said on Sunday that the suicide bomber who posed as a Taliban envoy to assassinate Afghan peace negotiator Burhanuddin Rabbani was a Pakistani national. Tensions between the neighbours have been rising amid allegations from Afghan officials that Pakistan and its powerful ISI intelligence agency masterminded the former president’s Sept. 20 killing and are seeking to destabilise Afghanistan.
ISRAEL
US defence chief urges Israel, Palestinians to talk
Dan De Luce, AFP – October 3, 2011
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on Monday urged Israel and the Palestinians to take “bold action” to end the Middle East conflict while also scolding US lawmakers for blocking aid to the Palestinians.
UNITED STATES
U.S., Other Nuclear Powers Face Disarmament Pressure at United Nations
Lee Michael Katz, Global Security Newswire – October 3, 2011.
Many nations plan to push the United States and other powers to honor their commitments to move toward eliminating their nuclear arsenals when a key U.N. body begins its 2011 session this week
Panetta’s Pentagon Comments Could Hurt Obama Campaign
Loren Thompson, Forbes – October 3, 2011
When Leon Panetta was sworn in as the nation’s 23rd Secretary of Defense on July 1, seasoned Washington observers thought they knew exactly why the 73-year-old former congressman and CIA chief got the job. It wasn’t to shake the Pentagon up, but to keep the place quiet until next year’s election.
