IRAN
Six powers flesh out nuclear proposals in Iran talks
Adrian Croft, Reuters – March 18, 2013
Six major powers gave Iran more details of their proposals to end a standoff over Tehran’s nuclear program in talks in Istanbul on Monday, the European Union (EU) said. The EU’s short statement on the expert-level talks between the six powers and Iran offered no clue how the proposals were received by the Iranian experts or whether any progress had been made.
Obama Heads for Israel to Bridge Gaps From Two-State to Iran
Margaret Talev & Jonathan Ferziger, Bloomberg News – March 19, 2013
Obama, who departs late today, is seeking leverage with Israel’s elected officials in his first trip there since taking office by reaching out to the Israeli public. On the national security issue uppermost in that nation’s politics, Iran’s nuclear threat, he wants more time for sanctions to work, rather than military action.
Netanyahu’s new security cabinet may hesitate on any Iran war
Dan Williams, Reuters – March 19, 2013
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has streamlined his security cabinet but its crop of untested politicians and a member who has rankled at sabre-rattling could hamper any decision to strike Iran. The seven-minister forum was unveiled on Monday as part of a new centre-right government whose “paramount task”, Netanyahu said, is to “stop Iran from arming itself with nuclear weapons”.
NORTH KOREA
U.S. flies nuke-capable B-52 bombers over South Korea
The Japan Times – March 19, 2013
The United States said it was flying training missions of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers over South Korea, in a clear signal to North Korea at a time of escalating military tensions. The flights — part of annual joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises — should be seen as underscoring U.S. commitment and capacity to defend Seoul against an attack from the North, Pentagon press secretary George Little said.
U.S. vows to provide military assistance to South Korea should Pyongyang attack
Gantdaily – March 19, 2013
United States Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Monday promised South Korea that Washington would provide it military resources and assistance under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, if Seoul faces an attack from Pyongyang.
Renewed nuke sale fear after recent NKorea test
Foster Klug, Associated Press – March 19, 2013
North Korea’s nuclear test last month wasn’t just a show of defiance and national pride; it also serves as advertising. The target audience, analysts say, is anyone in the world looking to buy nuclear material.
North Korean Video Shows Fantasy Attack On Washington
CBS News – March 19, 2013
A new North Korean propaganda video shows images of an imaginary missile attack on U.S. government buildings in Washington, including the White House and the Capitol building. The nearly 4-minute video was posted on the YouTube channel of the North Korean government website Uriminzokkiri on Monday.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Confronting Common Security Threats to Bring Russia and US Together – Analysis
Penza News, Eurasia Review – March 19, 2013
In a letter to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin suggested to unite global forces in the effort to create international system of anti-asteroid security, which requires collective capabilities of Russia, the US and other countries. In his opinion, such cooperation could also resolve disagreements between Russia and the US on missile defense.
U.S. missile defense plan gets mixed reply
Vanessa Gera, Associated Press – March 19, 2013
Some might have expected the Russians to be relieved and the Poles to express anxiety at a plan announced last week by U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, which effectively cancels plans to put long-term interceptors in Poland in the next decade. But on Monday, the Russians said they still were not happy and Polish officials were saying almost nothing, a possible indication that they are relieved that shorter-range missiles, at least, will still be deployed to Poland in the next five years.
China, Russia to Stand Together on Missile Defense in AsPac
Ria Novosti – March 19, 2013
Russia and China will coordinate their reactions to US plans to boost its missile defense in the Asia-Pacific region, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Tuesday. The remarks follow Washington’s recent announcement this it has shelved plans for a European-based missile shield in favor of boosting its defenses in Alaska, which would give it coverage from a potential North Korean attack.