IRAN
Report Urges White House to Rethink Iran Penalties
David Sanger, The New York Times – April 17, 2013
A panel of former senior American officials and outside experts, including several who recently left the Obama administration, issued a surprisingly critical assessment of American diplomacy toward Iran on Wednesday, urging President Obama to become far more engaged and to reconsider the likelihood that harsh sanctions will drive Tehran to concessions.
Iran dismisses Israel threat at Ahmadinejad’s last army parade
Marcus George, Reuters – April 18, 2013
Israeli threats to attack Iran’s nuclear sites are the harmless barking of a dog, Iran’s military said on Thursday, marking the last Army Day ceremony of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency with trademark acerbic rhetoric against the Jewish state.
NORTH KOREA
North Korea hints at willingness for talks, despite ongoing rhetoric
Chico Harlan, The Washington Post – April 18, 2013
Government officials and security analysts in the region say North Korea is scaling back its threat-making campaign and showing signs that it wants to reduce tensions with South Korea and the United States.
With tensions lingering on the Korean peninsula, there is hope that Park and Obama can come up with a new NK policy
Park Byong-su, The Hankyoreh – April 18, 2013
With tensions lingering on the Korean peninsula, there is hope that Park and Obama can come up with a new NK policy.
Opinion: Calculating the chances of war can be a losing game
Shin Jin-wook, The Hankyoreh – April 18, 2013
Amid tensions, it is important for South Korea to regain diplomatic momentum with North Korea.
Opinion: Nuclear weapons don’t create stability for anyone
Lee Jong-won, The Hankyoreh – April 18, 2013
North Korea’s recently announced plans to build its economy and nuclear armament are unlikely to be successful.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Raytheon: No US block on Patriot sales to Turkey
Burak Bekdil, Turkish Weekly – April 18, 2013
A senior executive at U.S. defense company Raytheon has ruled out the possibility of a U.S. governmental or congressional blockade against the delivery of a critical air defense and anti-missile system, dubbed as T-LORAMIDS, if Turkey chose the Patriot solution in multi-billion dollar international bidding.
