IRAN
Iran Blasts Killing of Its Nuclear Scientists
George Jahn, TIME Magazine – September 21, 2011
Blaming Israel for assassinating its nuclear scientists, Iran said Tuesday it would not retaliate for the “ugly phenomenon” but would seek more international support against such killings.
U.S. Considers Crisis Communications Link to Iran
Global Security Newswire – September 20, 2011
Government officials in the United States are examining the potential creation of an emergency naval communications link to Iran following a number of “near-miss” confrontations between the sides in the Persian Gulf, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday
NORTH KOREA
Rival Koreas met, but no progress on nuclear talks
Scott McDonald, The Boston Globe – September 21, 2011
Representatives of North and South Korea met Wednesday, but showed no sign of bridging their differences to resume negotiations on ending Pyongyang’s nuclear program after it walked out two years ago.
Koreas keep up appearances in Beijing
Sunny Lee, Asia Times – September 21, 2011
Some diplomacy is purely for public consumption, with little substance to back it up. This week’s meeting in Beijing between the nuclear negotiators of North Korea and South Korea is one such example.
Nuclear envoys from two Koreas hold rare meeting
BBC News – September 21, 2011
South Korea’s nuclear envoy has held rare talks with his North Korean counterpart in Beijing. No details were given, but ahead of the meeting the South’s Wi Sung-lac said talks with Ri Yong-ho would focus on ending Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.
IAEA MEETING VIENNA
Despite Fukushima, India bullish on nuclear
AFP – September 21, 2011
Nuclear energy remains vital for developing countries even after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, India’s atomic energy chief told the UN atomic agency’s annual gathering on Wednesday.
UN agency lowers expected growth in nuclear power following Fukushima disaster
Washington Post – September 20, 2011
The U.N. nuclear agency says it now expects nuclear power to grow more slowly than before the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Egypt Demands IAEA Inspections in Israel
Global Security Newswire – September 20, 2011
Israel’s refusal to permit broad-scope inspections of its atomic sites could endanger the International Atomic Energy Agency’s reputation as a reliable enforcer of the nuclear nonproliferation regime, Egypt told IAEA member nations on Monday
UNITED STATES
A future for drones: Automated killing
Peter Finn, The Washington Post – September 19, 2011
The killing of terrorism suspects and insurgents by armed drones, controlled by pilots sitting in bases thousands of miles away in the western United States, has prompted criticism that the technology makes war too antiseptic. Questions also have been raised about the legality of drone strikes when employed in places such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, which are not at war with the United States. This debate will only intensify as technological advances enable what experts call lethal autonomy.
Added U.S. Defense Cuts May Cause ‘Serious Damage,’ Panetta Says
Viola Gienger, Bloomberg – September 20, 2011
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said any cuts to his department beyond about $450 billion the Pentagon is carving out from its budget over 10 years would “do serious damage.”
