IRAN
“Strong” IAEA report may pile pressure on Iran
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – October 14, 2011
he U.N. nuclear watchdog is expected to add to growing international pressure on Iran with a report next month likely to heighten suspicions about the Islamic state’s atomic ambitions, Western diplomats said on Friday.
The Birth of a Bomb: A History of Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions (Der Spiegel)
Der Spigel/Forbes – October 13, 2011
In the wake of the FBI’s disruption of Tehran’s plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador to the United States on American soil, many are calling on President Obama to “take action” – though it’s not quite clear what kind of action they have in mind.
Iran’s Press TV claims it is being banned in UK
Raphael G. Satter, AP – October 14, 2011
British officials are preparing to ban Iran’s English-language Press TV, the broadcaster claimed Friday. Regulator Ofcom confirmed that it is considering punitive action but said no decision has yet been made.
NORTH & SOUTH KOREA
South Korean President Tells Congress North Must Give up “Nuclear Ambitions”
Global Security Newswire – October 14, 2011
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak told a special joint session of the U.S. Congress on Thursday that he remained dedicated to realizing the permanent shuttering of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, the Yonhap News Agency reported
North Korea tied to China
Bruno de Paiva, Asia Times – October 14, 2011
North Korean Prime Minister Choe Yong-rim recently spent a week in China on an official visit on behalf of the notoriously isolated and totalitarian nation.
UNITED STATES
Searching for Cuts, Congress Spars Over Nuclear Weapons
Joseph Cirincione, The Atlantic – October 13, 2011
As the congressional “supercommittee” moves toward recommendations to cut over $1 trillion from the government’s budgets, House members have squared off over whether some savings can come from the hundreds of billions of dollars planned for nuclear weapons over the next 10 years.
Budget cuts take U.S. military “to the edge”: Panetta
David Alexander, Reuters – October 13, 2011
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta chided congressional dysfunction and warned that cutting $450 billion in defense spending would take the Pentagon “to the edge” at a hearing on Thursday punctuated by anti-war protests.
Why the defense budget needs to be preserved
Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post (Opinion) – October 14, 2011
Liberals eyes roll back in their heads when they hear conservatives oppose defense cuts.The Post’s Matt Miller is typical, insisting we can do national security on the cheap and accusing hawks of being part of a “cult.”
America the Overcommitted
Jeremi Suri, Op-Ed NYT – October 13, 2011
AMERICAN foreign policy today is reactive, unfocused and ineffective. The Obama administration is concentrating almost entirely on preventing bad situations from getting worse. This is true in Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea and Iran.
