IRAN
Security Expert: U.S. ‘Leading Force’ Behind Stuxnet
Tom Gjelten, NPR — September 26, 2011
The sophistication of the worm, plus the fact that the designer had inside intelligence on the Iranian facility, led Langner to conclude the United States had developed Stuxnet, possibly with the help of Israeli intelligence.
Freed U.S. hikers describe harrowing ordeal in Iran
CBS — September 26, 2011
Two American hikers being held in an Iranian prison got a big surprise one day after their exercise routine: Instead of being blindfolded and led back to their cell, they suddenly heard the words, “Let’s go home.”
NORTH KOREA
North Korean prime minister in China on visit emphasizing economic ties
The Washington Post — September 25, 2011
China and its impoverished neighbor North Korea are emphasizing trade and investment ties during a visit this week by Pyongyang’s prime minister that also highlights China’s efforts to restart talks on ending the North’s nuclear programs.
Japan launches spy satellite to monitor North Korea
Julian Ryall, The Telegraph — September 26, 2011
A new Japanese spy satellite has started beaming back images from North Korea as Tokyo steps up monitoring of its unpredictable neighbour.
UNITED NATIONS/INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY
U.N. Nuclear body ends annual meeting in disunity
Reuters — September 23, 2011
The United Nations atomic agency ended its annual member state meeting in disunity late on Friday, with delegates unable to adopt a resolution on a policy area central to its work in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.
United Nations: Nuke Plans Security Urged
Matthew Pennington, San Francisco Chronicle — September 25, 2011
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged strong international action late last week to boost safety and security of nuclear power plants against accidents and terrorist attack.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan Spat Highlights Bitter Truths Facing the U.S. in Afghanistan
Robert Baer, TIME — September 26, 2011
What does Pakistan really want in Afghanistan? That question has become all the more urgent since Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, accused Pakistan of being indirectly responsible for last week’s attack on our embassy in Kabul.
Perry on nuclear weapons and Pakistan
The Washington Post Blog — September 26, 2011
During Thursday night’s GOP debate in Orlando, Texas Governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry said that relationships need to be built with Southeast Asian countries, such as India, to assist in a potential situation where the Taliban had acquired Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.
UNITED STATES
Shutdown looms as congress debates spending plan
CNN — September 26. 2011
The standoff continues Monday between the House and the Senate over emergency funding, which is holding up a short-term spending measure to keep government running into the new fiscal year that begins this weekend.
