NORTH KOREA
Suspected North Korea Missile Parts Seized en Route to Syria in May
Louis Charbonneau, Retuers – November 14, 2012
A shipment of graphite cylinders usable in a missile program and suspected to have come from North Korea was found in May aboard a Chinese ship en route to Syria in what appears to have been a violation of U.N. sanctions, diplomats said on Tuesday.
Report Says North Korea Readies for More Missile Tests
VOA News – November 13, 2012
The U.S.-Korea Institute at The Johns Hopkins University says new photographs show that North Korea is testing large rocket engines for use in ballistic missiles. Satellite imagery shows at least two tests were conducted at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, one as recently as mid-September.
North Korean Defectors Hold Little Hope for New Chinese Leadership
Paula Hancocks, CNN – November 14, 2012
The topic that has ignited such passion today is China and its ongoing leadership change. All five agree China has been too forgiving of North Korean behavior and human rights abuses in the past, but they are split as to whether that will change with fresh blood at the helm in Beijing.
IRAN
Iran Locked in Internal Debate Over Whether to Talk to U.S.
Joby Warrick, Washington Post – November 13, 2012
Iran appears to be locked in a fierce internal debate over whether to hold bilateral nuclear talks with the United States, with key political leaders calling for dialogue with Washington and hard-liners pressing ahead with expansion of the country’s nuclear facilities.
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
Frosty Relations with Russia Begin to Thaw After Obama’s Re-election
Ellen Barry, New York Times – November 13, 2012
There is no doubt about it: a channel of communication has opened between Moscow and Washington, at least for a while. It suggests, first, that the Russian authorities were deeply relieved that Mitt Romney did not win, and, second, that in Russia, story lines can be changed and harsh language switched off when there are deals to be made.
ISRAEL
Israel Prepares New Missile Defense System
Lauren E. Bohn, AP – November 13, 2012
Israel’s newest missile defense system, designed to provide another layer of protection against enemy fire, is on schedule for deployment in 2014, defense officials said Tuesday. The “David’s Sling” system, named after the famous weapon in the biblical David and Goliath story, is part of a multi-layered defense against incoming rockets and missiles. Two of the elements are operational.
SYRIA
France Grants Its Recognition to Syria Rebels as U.S. Waits
Steven Erlanger et al, New York Times – November 14, 2012
Syrian authorities ordered airstrikes for a third straight day close to the tense Turkish border on Wednesday, and said a French decision to recognize and consider arming a newly formed Syrian rebel coalition was an “immoral” act “encouraging the destruction of Syria.”
CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Bill’s Outlook Still Bleak
Josh Smith, National Journal – November 13, 2012
When sweeping cybersecurity legislation failed to advance in the Senate in August, it went down with a barrage of finger-pointing and posturing. And aides from both parties say that nothing really has changed since it was filibustered.
