NORTH KOREA
North Korea seen resuming activity at nuclear test site
Ida Torres, The Japan Daily Press – Feb 21, 2013
New activity has been detected at a North Korea nuclear site following the internationally condemned weapons test last week. This was confirmed by a U.S. think tank, pointing to a continuation of the nuclear tests from Pyongyang.
US leadership needed to prevent nuclear testing by North Korea
Thomas R. Pickering, Christian Science Monitor – Feb 20, 2013
North Korea’s nuclear weapons test explosion underscores the need for stronger US leadership to prevent the testing, spread, and use of the world’s most dangerous weapons. US ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty would set a clear international standard.
Nine Days Later, A Checkup On North Korea’s Blast
Evan Ramstad, The Wall Street Journal – Feb 21, 2013
A review of North Korea’s test and comparison to past nuclear tests performed by the country.
Park Lists Top Priorities as South Korean Jobs, North Deterrence
Sangwon Yoon, Bloomberg News – Feb 21, 2013
Park, whose term starts Feb. 25, intends to increase welfare spending and fund more information technology and science research, according to a policy statement released in Seoul. She will also push to improve a domestic missile defense system and strengthen intelligence gathering on North Korea by introducing unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.
IRAN
Major powers to make “substantial and serious offer” to Iran
Myra MacDonald, Reuters – Feb 20, 2013
Major powers are ready to make “a substantial and serious offer” to Iran during talks next week in return for concessions on its nuclear program, a Western diplomat said on Wednesday. He declined to give details of the offer – aimed at reviving efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to long-stalled talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear work.
U.N. report may show slower growth in Iran nuclear stockpile
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – Feb 20, 2013
A U.N. nuclear watchdog report due this week is expected to show that growth of Iran’s stockpile of higher-grade enriched uranium has slowed as it is using some of the material to make reactor fuel, diplomats said on Wednesday. If confirmed in the quarterly report, the development could help buy time for big power diplomacy to try and find a negotiated settlement to a decade-old dispute that has stirred fears of a new Middle East war.
How President Obama can forge a nuclear deal with Iran
Reza Nasri, Christian Science Monitor – Feb 20, 2013
Ahead of crucial ‘P5+1’ talks on Iran’s nuclear program in Kazakhstan Feb. 26, President Obama needs to show willingness to meet Iranian concessions with some of his own. But Congress is in no mood to ease sanctions. Obama, however, can go around Congress.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Patriots’ Main Mission in Turkey: Protect NATO Radar
Burak Ege Bekdil, DefenseNews – Feb 20, 2013
While the last of six Patriot anti-missile batteries are deployed in Turkey, ostensibly to protect Turkish airspace from a potential missile strike from neighboring Syria, some officials claim the primary purpose is to protect a radar that would track Iranian missile launches.
