IRAN
Russia’s Putin says Iran nuclear push is peaceful
Alexei Anishchuk, Steve Gutterman, and Michael Roddy, Reuters — June 11, 2013
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday he has no doubt that Iran is adhering to international commitments on nuclear non-proliferation but regional and international concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme could not be ignored.
Iranians pay ‘dear price’ for defiance
John Defterios, CNN — June 12, 2013
The eight years under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can be marked for his defiance of the West in pursuit of nuclear development. But Iranians, especially in the past two years, have paid a dear price for that position.
Usha Sahay and Laicie Heeley, The National Interest — June 12, 2013
With negotiations repeatedly ending in stalemate and Iran’s nuclear development continuing unabated, President Obama’s Iran policy seems increasingly to be at a dead end. Looking back, however, it’s easy to see how Obama ended up on this particular path—and how it all went wrong.
Will Iran’s Election Bring Nuclear Talks Thaw?
Andre de Nesnera, Voice of America — June 11, 2013
As Iranians head to the polls this week to choose a new president, talks with the West and the United Nations over the nuclear issue have been stalled. Analysts remain skeptical whether a new man in office will make any difference.
NORTH KOREA
No one’s picking up in North Korea day after talks with South break down
David Chance and Nick Macfie, Reuters — June 12, 2013
A day after snubbing Seoul by offering to send a junior official to hold the first supposedly high-level talks between the two Koreas in six years, North Korea appeared to be refusing to pick up a phone line it re-established just last Friday.
Behind Breakdown of Korea Talks, a History of Suspicions
Choe Sang-Hun, The New York Times — June 12, 2013
…But in the decades-old confrontation between the two Koreas, even a matter of protocol can escalate into a highly sensitive struggle over pride. Their latest tussle over the proper ranks of their chief delegates was in part an extension of a struggle that has persisted for decades.
Opinion: 4 factors to consider in US options for North Korea
Lowell Schwartz, The Christian Science Monitor — June 12, 2013
Predicting the next move of an adversary like North Korea is difficult to say the least, and thinking several moves out is even harder. Here are four factors to consider when thinking through US options on North Korea.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Army Officer Suspended for Allegedly Ignoring Affairs
Gopal Ratnam, Bloomberg — June 12, 2013
The head of an Army unit operating the primary U.S. missile-defense system has been suspended after an investigation into allegations that he overlooked sexual affairs and promoted a pinup calendar featuring scantily clad female soldiers.
Pentagon Missile Defense Brass Frown on East Coast Interceptor Sites
Paul McLeary, Defense News — June 11, 2013
The nation’s two top military officers leading the US missile defense enterprise replied to a letter from Sen. Carl Levin today, telling him that there is “no validated military requirement” for a proposed East Coast missile defense site as some on Capitol Hill have proposed.
White House threatens veto of defense bill over provisions on Guantanamo, missile defense
The White House is threatening a veto of the House version of the defense policy bill over limits it places on President Barack Obama’s authority to handle terror suspects at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In a statement Tuesday, the Office of Management and Budget also complained about restrictions on the president’s ability to implement a nuclear reduction treaty with Russia and the requirement that the military construct a missile defense site on the East Coast.
