IRAN
Iran nuclear chief says UK spies shadowed him
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – 20 September, 2011
Iran’s nuclear energy chief accused British spies on Monday of shadowing him around the world — even to the “back door” of his university office — to gather information ahead of a failed assassination attempt on him last year.
AP Exclusive: Police investigate Iran nuke expert
George Jahn, Associated Press – 19 September, 2011
A colleague of a nuclear scientist shot dead recently in Tehran is being investigated by Iranian security services who suspect him of leaking information leading to the killing, says an intelligence summary shared with The Associated Press.
Potential Iran-North Korea Atomic Ties Worry Experts
Global Security Newswire – 19 September, 2011
The potential for Iran and North Korea to secretly exchange nuclear weapon-relevant systems, substances or expertise is a matter of concern within the arms control sector, Reuters reported on Saturday
NORTH KOREA
Koreas set for nuke talks in cautious hopes
Kim Young-jin, The Korean Times – 20 September, 2011
Working-level officials from the two Koreas met Tuesday in Beijing to set the table for the second round of rare bilateral denuclearization talks, slated for today, amid cautious hopes for the eventual resumption of multilateral negotiations.
S. Korea seeks ‘fruitful’ nuclear talks with N. Korea
Yonhap News – September 20, 2011
South Korea’s chief nuclear envoy arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to meet again with his North Korean counterpart, hoping to achieve a “fruitful result” in the meeting aimed at reviving the stalled six-nation talks on ending the North’s nuclear weapons programs.
PAKISTAN
India, U.S. Should Plan for Potential Pakistani Crises: Report
Global Security Newswire – 19 September, 2011
An expert report issued this weekend urges India and the United States to secretly plan joint responses to multiple potential crises in Pakistan, such as threats to the Pakistani armed forces’ oversight of the nation’s atomic arsenal falling or the government descending into chaos, Dawn reported
THE DEFENSE BUDGET
Planned Defense Cuts Endanger U.S. Nuke Spending Plan
Global Security Newswire – 19 September, 2011
A new U.S. congressional agreement to reduce funding to military-related programs has placed in doubt a nuclear weapons complex spending plan negotiated last year amid efforts to win ratification of an strategic arms control deal with Russia, Arms Control Today reported in its latest issue.
Pentagon may delay work on 100 more F-35 fighters
Andrea Shalal-Esa, Resuters – 19 September, 2011
Senior Pentagon officials are considering postponing production of an additional 100 F-35 fighter jets by Lockheed Martin Corp as part of a five-year defense plan to be sent to Congress, according to three people familiar with the program.
US Air Force vows to spare F-35 from budget cuts
AFP – 19 September, 2011
The US Air Force vowed Monday to “protect” costly weapons programs despite budget pressures, saying the country needed the F-35 fighter jet, a long-range bomber and other aircraft.
