IRAN
The man who turned Iran nuclear
Zubeida Malik, BBC News – March 28, 2013
In a rare interview, the man dubbed “the father of Iran’s nuclear programme” tells how the project began under the Shah, who wanted to leave the option for a bomb open. Now in his 80s, Akhbar Etemad remembers all too clearly the pressure the Americans tried to apply to him when he was head of Iran’s nuclear programme between 1974 and 1978.
Developing powers call for end to sanctions on Iran
Adiv Sterman, The Times of Israel – March 28, 2013
Representatives of five of the world’s developing economic powers voiced their opposition Wednesday to Western sanctions on Iran and the US and Israel’s threat to use use force against Tehran’s nuclear program.
NORTH KOREA
U.S. Begins Stealth Bombing Runs Over South Korea
Choe Sang-hun, The New York Times – March 28, 2013
The American military made a rare announcement that two nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers ran a practice bombing sortie over South Korea on Thursday, underscoring Washington’s commitment to defend its ally amid rising tensions with North Korea.
Park administration’s N. Korea policy announced
Seok Jin-hwan, The Hankyoreh – March 28, 2013
On Mar. 27, Park Geun-hye gave her position on her administration’s North Korea policy. “We must not try to rush things, but instead seek to develop inter-Korean relations gradually, on the basis of trust, moving one step at a time. We must build a sustainable peace.”
North-South Korean border sees traffic despite cut hotline
The Hindu Business Line – March 28, 2013
A border crossing was open on Thursday and South Koreans were allowed to enter North Korea to travel to a joint industrial park despite Pyongyang cutting a military hotline at the border a day earlier. The hotline coordinates traffic to and from the Kaesong industrial complex, which is one of impoverished, isolated North Korea’s only sources of foreign currency. It lies just north of the border.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Joint Russia-NATO Missile Shield Inefficient – Rasmussen
Ria Novosti – March 27, 2013
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday said a unified missile shield under joint Russia-NATO command is not a workable approach. Rasmussen was asked to assess the potential of missile defense systems under joint Russia-NATO command during his address at an International Model Russia-NATO council meeting in Moscow.
Opinion: Congress Saves Busted $380 Million Missile Program the Pentagon Won’t Buy
Dana Liebelson, Mother Jones – March 27, 2013
Over at the Pentagon, Congress is spending $380 million on a missile program that has no funding authorization, doesn’t work, and the Department of Defense doesn’t plan on buying. So why are we still paying for it?
CONVENTIONAL ARMS CONTROL
Nations close to deal on UN arms trade treaty -envoys
Louis Charbonneau, Reuters – March 27, 2013
United Nations members on Wednesday were close to a deal on the first international treaty to regulate the $70 billion global conventional arms trade, though delegates and rights groups said India, Iran or others could still block agreement. Arms control campaigners and human rights groups say one person dies every minute worldwide as a result of armed violence and a treaty is needed to halt the uncontrolled flow of arms and ammunition they say fuels wars, atrocities and rights abuses.
