Iran
Israel Won’t Tip off U.S
Associated Press – February 27, 2012
Israeli officials say they won’t warn the United States if they decide to launch a pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, according to one U.S. intelligence official familiar with the discussions. The pronouncement, delivered in a series of private, top-level conversations, sets a tense tone ahead of meetings in the coming days at the White House and Capitol Hill.
U.S. Considers New Message on Iran
Carole Lee and Jay Solomon, Wall Street Journal – February 28, 2012
Complaints from Israel about the U.S.’s public engagement with Iran have pushed the White House to consider more forcefully outlining potential military actions, and the “red lines” Iran must not cross, as soon as this weekend, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Don’t Let Iran Be a Second Iraq
Jamal Abdi and Trita Parsi, The Hill – February 27, 2012
Just as with the lead-up to the Iraq War, the pathway to war with Iran will be paved with false assertions, self-fulfilling saber rattling and political weakness that might seem insignificant now, but will in retrospect turn out to be disastrous.
Iran FM Calls for More Talks on Nuclear Issue
Associated Press – February 28, 2012
Iran’s foreign minister has called for other countries to chose engagement over confrontation in resolving their differences over his nation’s nuclear program.
Attacking Nuke Sites May ONly Slow Progress
Kristina Wong, Washington Times – February 27, 2012
Former high-ranking defense officials and regional experts say that neither the U.S. nor Israel can stop Iran from producing a nuclear weapon.
Korean Peninsula
N. Korea ‘Ready for War’ as South Korea, U.S. Stage War Games
Lee Jae Won, Reuters – February 27, 2012
North Korea says it is ready for “total war” with South Korea and the United States, as the two countries commenced mass joint war drills near its border.
U.S
U.S. States Seek to Contain Harm as Pentagon Plans Defense Cuts
Michael C. Bender, Bloomberg – February 28, 2012
States that stand to suffer most from proposed defense cuts are mobilizing to mitigate economic harm, according to interviews with 10 governors.
The Case for Considering Arms Cuts
Paul Monroe, Politico – February 26, 2012
The media reported recently that President Barack Obama, as commander in chief, has asked our military leadership to present him with a range of options for the future nuclear force. Reportedly the options run the gamut from a force of 300 nuclear weapons to maintaining the status quo.
