IRAN
Iran boosts nuclear work in bunker: diplomats
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – February 6, 2012
Iran is believed to be expanding uranium enrichment activity deep inside a mountain, diplomatic sources said Monday, a move likely to add to tension with Western powers that suspect Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons capability.
Iran Calls New US Sanctions ‘Psychological War’
Nasser Karimi, Associated Press – February 7, 2012
Iran has dismissed the new U.S. sanctions on Tehran, with the Foreign Ministry spokesman saying Tuesday they are part of a “psychological war” meant to sow discontent among Iranians and insisting the measures would not halt the country’s nuclear program.
Netanyahu Says Only Military Strength Guarantees Security in Middle East
Jonathan Ferziger, Bloomberg – February 6, 2012
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who yesterday announced plans to visit the U.S. in March, said turmoil in neighboring Arab states and threats from Iran show that Israel must build up its military.
Iran shrugs off latest U.S. sanctions, trade suffers
Parisa Hafezi, Reuters – February 7, 2012
Iran castigated its U.S. adversary on Tuesday over new financial measures to disrupt Iranian commerce, and a default on payment for rice purchases highlighted the encroachment of sanctions on the staples of everyday life.
UNITED STATES
Obama’s Golden Nuclear Option
Adam Weinstein, Mother Jones – February 6, 2012
Sometime this month, after receiving a year’s worth of research and analysis from the Pentagon and his national security advisers, President Obama will get to decide for the first time in his term what the United States’ nuclear war strategy should look like.
The Pentagon’s new view of warfare
Walter Pincus, The Washington Post – February 6, 2012
The United States’ view of warfare has been changing. To deter potential conflicts, the nation will have forward-based sea, air and ground forces in strategic areas around the globe. It will also retain its nuclear triad of land- and submarine-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and strategic bombers.
Decision to continue work on Marines’ F-35B jet criticized
Associated Press – February 7, 2012
The leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee suggested on Monday that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta rushed a decision to develop the Marine Corps’ version of the next-generation strike fighter jet despite new technical problems with the troubled program.
OTHER
Indonesia joins global nuclear test ban treaty
Agence France-Presse – February 6, 2012
Indonesia on Monday formalized ratification of the nuclear test ban treaty at the United Nations and its foreign minister called on eight key holdout nations to take a “calculated risk” and sign on.
