IRAN
EU to Consider More Sanctions on Iran, Summit Draft Shows
Jurjen van de Pol & James G. Neuger, Bloomberg – December 9, 2011
European Union governments will consider imposing stiffer sanctions on Iran amid “serious and deepening concerns” over the country’s nuclear program, according to a draft EU summit statement.
Fear, speculation in Iran over military strike
Parisa Hafezi & Hashem Kalantari, Reuters – December 8, 2011
The threat of military strikes on Iran has upturned the quiet and comfortable lives once enjoyed by many Iranians, ushering in a new era of struggle and fear.
Obama defends US sanctions policy on Iran
AFP – December 8, 2011
US President Barack Obama on Thursday defended his policy on Iran amid fierce Republican criticism of his effort to halt the Islamic republic’s nuclear drive, saying Tehran is under the “toughest sanctions” ever.
NORTH KOREA
Myanmar denies working with North Korea on atomic weapons
Aung HIa Tun, Reuters – December 9, 2011
Myanmar denied it had been cooperating with North Korea on nuclear weapons technology, the first time it has commented on speculation that the two internationally ostracised states might be working together to build atomic weapons.
RUSSIA
Clinton, Russia Spar Over Missile Defense System
Jackie Northam, npr – December 8, 2011
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has spent the last two days meeting with her NATO and Russian counterparts in Brussels. They’ve been talking about NATO plans to deploy a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, to counter “rogue” Iranian weapons. Russia, again, raised objections last month — and even threatened to pull out of the latest U.S.-Russia nuclear weapons treaty.
Russia’s Putin wins China’s support – and peace prize
Michael Martina, Reuters – Decmber 0, 2011
Accused in the West of trampling on democratic freedoms and denounced at home by protesters over the conduct of a parliamentary election, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin won not only China’s support on Friday, but also a peace prize.
IRAQ
Obama Cheers ‘Whole Bunch’ of Homecomings as Iraq Role Evolves
Margaret Talev & Viola Gienger, Bloomberg – December 9, 2011
President Barack Obama is calling attention to the end of the war in Iraq that will bring U.S. troops home for the holidays, staging a series of events even as his administration and Iraqis talk about the future U.S. role there and rising threats from neighbor Iran.
Final Briefing from Baghdad
Mark Thompson, Time Magazine (Blog) – December 8, 2011
Three thousand, one hundred and eight-five days after U.S. forces invaded Iraq, the U.S. military held what is expected to be its final formal press briefing from Baghdad on Wednesday. “With less than one month remaining, we are poised to complete our mission,” said Lieutenant General Frank Helmick, the deputy commander for operations in Iraq, 3,142 days after President Bush landed on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln under a banner proclaiming Mission Accomplished.
UNITED STATES
Military Detention of All Terror Suspects Deserves a Veto: View
Bloomberg – December 8, 2011
Vetoing a defense budget bill at a time of war might be tantamount to political suicide. Yet U.S. President Barack Obama may have no choice.
