IRAN
Iran builds 3 more submarines for navy
AP – November 27, 2011
Iranian state TV says the country has added three more domestically-built submarines to its naval fleet. The move is seen as part of Iran’s effort to upgrade its defense capabilities amid escalating tension over its nuclear program. The West suspects Iran is aiming at developing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.
Oil Soars On Geopolitical Tensions
Sarah Kent, WSJ – November 28, 2011
rude futures took off as investors reacted to the prospect of a European Union ban on Iranian oil imports and renewed optimism that European politicians are making headway in their efforts to contain the region’s debt crisis.
Iran’s Parliament Orders Ties With Britain Reduced
Nasser Karimi, AP – November 27, 2011
Iran’s parliament on Sunday approved a bill requiring both Iran and Britain to withdraw their respective ambassadors from each other’s countries, following London’s support of recently upgraded U.S. sanctions on Tehran.
NORTH KOREA
N. Korean leader faces challenges in power succession, Yu says
Kim Kwang-tae, Yonhap News – November 26, 2011
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il faces challenges in handing over power to his youngest son, Seoul’s top official in charge of relations with Pyongyang said.
Let North Korea Save Face
Nah Liang Tuang, The Diplomat – November 26, 2011
Kim Jong-il’s regime seems to respond better to the carrot than the stick. The United States and others could try walking in Kim’s shoes as they look to reduce tensions.
PAKISTAN
NATO Mess with Pakistan
Steve Clemons, The Atlantic – November 28, 2011
As my Atlantic colleague Jeffrey Goldberg and his co-author Marc Ambinder outlined in last month’s Atlantic cover story, Pakistan can be the ally from hell. But this week, the tables are turned — and from the perspective of ferociously independent, nationalistic Pakistan citizens, the United States and NATO appear to be approximating the behavior of enemies.
China supports Pakistan in row over Nato border attack
Saeed Shah & Jon Boone, The Guardian – November 28, 2011
China has lent diplomatic support to Pakistan, saying it is “deeply shocked” over the deaths of the Pakistani soldiers bombarded by Nato helicopters. Beijing’s support came as Afghan officials again claimed the air strikes were called in after they were first targeted from the Pakistani side of the border.
Pakistan border closure raises NATO supply fears
Katherine Haddon, AFP – November 28, 2011
Supplies for NATO in Afghanistan have been hit by a Pakistani blockade enforced after a cross-border strike killed 24 of its troops, but it remains unclear how seriously coalition forces will suffer.
UNITED STATES
Pentagon Budget Cut of $1 Trillion Is Possibility, However Not Wise: View
Bloombergs – November 27, 2011
Before the body of the congressional budget supercommittee was even cold, we heard outcries over the Pentagon budget cuts mandated by its demise. “I will not be the Armed Services Committee chairman who presides over the crippling of our military,” vowed Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, a California Republican, on Tuesday.
Military discipline
Financial Times – November 27, 2011
Before he stepped down as America’s defence chief earlier this year, Robert Gates set out a plan to streamline the Pentagon’s bloated post-9/11 budget. Events may be about to make Mr Gates’ efficiencies look very modest. Last week’s failure by the super-committee to agree on a 10-year $1,200bn tightening in the US budget means the military faces automatic cuts of almost $600bn.
Republican presidential field shows diverse views on foreign policy
John T. Bennett, The Hill – November 27, 2011
The more GOP presidential candidates spoke Tuesday evening, the more apparent it became how far the party has splintered on national security issues since 9/11.
