IRAN
International Mediating Six Discuss Tehran’s ‘Nuclear Dossier’ Issue in Istanbul
The Voice of Russia – March 18, 2013
Participants in Istanbul-based talks between Iran and the international mediating six – 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany – have discussed resolving the situation around Tehran’s “nuclear dossier.” The closed-door talks were held at expert level. According to the Iranian news agency Fars, citing a diplomatic source, the six substantially revised their position on the issue.
Iran charges 18 over nuclear scientist killings
James Legge, The Independent – March 17, 2013
Iranian authorities have indicted 18 people over suspected involvement in the killing of its nuclear scientists, according to a news agency. Since 2010, at least five Iranian scientists, including a manager at a key enrichment facility, have been killed.
Opinion: Why Iran May Be Ready to Deal
Vali Nasr, The New York Times – March 17, 2013
Fir the first time since 2009, there may be signs of a break in the deadlock over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran entered the latest talks with a slightly softened position. That is good news, but the United States will have to change its negotiating strategy to take advantage of it.
NORTH KOREA
U.S. to bolster missile defenses to counter North Korea threat: Hagel
Phil Stewart and David Alexander, Reuters – March 16, 2013
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced plans on Friday to bolster U.S. missile defenses in response to “irresponsible and reckless provocations” by North Korea, which threatened a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States last week. Hagel said the Pentagon would add 14 new anti-missile interceptors at Fort Greely in Alaska – an effective reversal of an early Obama administration decision – and move ahead with the deployment of a second missile-defense radar in Japan.
China criticizes U.S. anti-missile North Korea plan
Ben Blanchard and Sui-Lee Wee – March 18, 2013
China said on Monday U.S. plans to bolster missile defenses in response to provocations by North Korea would only intensify antagonism, and urged Washington to act prudently. “The anti-missile issue has a direct bearing on global and regional balance and stability. It also concerns mutual strategic interests between countries,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.
Editorial: No Nukes on the Korean Peninsula
The Editorial Board, The New York Times – March 17, 2013
Calls to develop a nuclear arsenal in South Korea are misguided – doing so would only inflame North Korea further and be an unnecessary drain on financial resources.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Russian lawmaker not reassured by U.S. missile defense plan
Gabriela Baczynska, Reuters – March 17, 2013
A change in the United States plans for an anti-missile shield in Europe will not prompt Russia to drop its opposition to the system, a senior lawmaker allied to President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday.
