Korean Peninsula
North Korea agrees to ‘nuclear moratorium’
BBC News – February 29, 2012
North Korea has agreed to suspend uranium enrichment, as well as nuclear and long-range missile tests, US and North Korean officials say. The US State Department said the North had also agreed to allow UN inspectors to monitor its reactor in Yongbyon to verify compliance with the measures. In return, Washington is set to provide Pyongyang with some 240,000 tonnes of food aid.
Amid Tensions, U-2 Spy Planes Keep Watch on NKorea
CBS News – February 29, 2012
As a sleek black U-2 roars back from a mission, Pontiac cars zoom along the runway to help it touch down using a method unchanged for more than 50 years ago when this Cold War-era aircraft was cutting-edge.
Iran
U.S. Sees Iran Attacks as Likely if Israel Strikes
Thom Shanker, Helene Cooper, Ethan Bronner, New York Times – February 29, 2012
American officials who have assessed the likely Iranian responses to any attack by Israel on its nuclear program believe that Iran would retaliate by launching missiles on Israel and terrorist-style attacks on United States civilian and military personnel overseas.
Obama Likely to Resist Pressure to Futher Toughen Iran Stance
Paul Richter and Christi Parsons, LA Times – February 28, 2012
The White House indicated Tuesday that President Obama would resist pressure for a tougher Iran policy coming from Israel and some U.S. lawmakers who argue that Tehran should not be allowed to acquire even the capability to eventually develop a nuclear weapon.
Do Israelis Support a Strike on Iran?
Shibley Telhami, Politico – February 28, 2012
When President Barack Obama meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington next week, Iran’s nuclear program is likely to top their agenda. With increasing signals that Israel may be contemplating a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the United States and its European allies have made no secret of their opposition.
Iran: Military Decides if IAEA Can Visit Parchin
Reuters – February 29, 2012
It is up to Iran’s military to decide whether U.N. nuclear inspectors can visit a site they want to see as part of their investigation of Iranian nuclear activities, a senior Iranian official said on Wednesday.
Iran Calls Nuclear Weapons Arms Production a ‘Great Sin’
Nick Cumming-Bruce, New York Times – February 28, 2012
Amid heightened tensions with the West over its nuclear program, Iran on Tuesday called for negotiations on a treaty banning nuclear weapons and condemned their production or possession as “a great sin.”
U.S
Senate Budget Chair Says More Pentagon Cuts Likely
David Alexander, Reuters – February 28, 2012
The head of the Senate Budget Committee delivered a sobering message to top U.S. defense officials on Tuesday, saying the Pentagon will have to reduce spending beyond the $487 billion already proposed if the United States is going to deal with its $15 trillion debt
Panetta to Congress: Don’t Balance Budget with Added Cuts to Defense
Jeremy Herb, The Hill – February 28, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned senators Tuesday that they can’t expect to fix the nation’s financial problems on the back of the Pentagon.
Senators Clash Over Idea of More Pentagon Cuts
Associated Press – February 28, 2012
Leading senators on the Budget Committee clashed Tuesday over whether the Pentagon could bear even deeper budget cuts, with defense officials warning that additional reductions would hit jobs across the 50 states and affect national security.
