IRAN
Killing Iranian Nuclear Scientists is Counterproductive and Wrong
Ali Vaez & Charles Ferguson, The Atlantic – January 13, 2012
Wednesday’s assassination of Mostafa Ahmadi-Rowshan makes nuclear negotiations more difficult and a nuclear Iran more likely
Who Assassinated an Iranian Nuclear Scientist? Israel Isn’t Telling
Karl Vick & Aaron J. Klein, TIME Magazine (Blog) – January 12, 2012
Like three previous Iranian scientists ambushed on their morning commute, the latest nuclear expert to die on his way to work was a victim of Israel’s Mossad, Western intelligence sources tell TIME.
Iran to Let In U.N. Atomic Inspectors
Jay Solomon, WSJ – January 13, 2012
Iran agreed to host a high-level team of United Nation’s nuclear inspectors later this month, Western diplomats said, a surprise development that could help to curb building tensions with the West.
Iran nuclear expert buried as Russia warns on sanctions
BBC – January 13, 2012
Russia has warned that new sanctions and any military action against Iran over its nuclear programme would be seen as attempted regime change.
KOREAN PENINSULA
Cha: What not to do about North Korea
Victor Cha, CNN (Blog) – January 13, 2012
Many Western analysts believe North Korea has been planning such a succession for a long time and they are therefore methodically carrying out the power transition step-by-step. I don’t think this is right.
North Korea Test-Fires Three Short-Range Missiles, S. Korea Says
Sangwon Yoon, Bloomberg – January 13, 2012
North Korea test-fired short-range missiles off its eastern coast two days ago, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said.
RUSSIA
U.S., Russia arms negotiators plan stability talks
David Alexander, Reuters – January 12, 2012
U.S. and Russian negotiators will hold talks this year on issues ranging from missile defense to cyber security, hoping to set the stage for a renewed arms control push once elections are over in both countries, the top U.S. arms negotiator said on Thursday.
Tauscher: We will get a missile defense agreement with Russia
Josh Rogin, FP (Blog) – January 12, 2012
The United States and Russia will conclude a missile defense cooperation agreement this year as part of the “strategic stability” talks between the two powers, according to the State Department’s top arms control official.
UNITED STATES
Bolton Endorses Romney, Citing Strong Defense Posture
Michael D. Shear, NYT – January 12, 2012
John R. Bolton, a neoconservative who served as President Bush’s ambassador to the United Nations, endorsed Mitt Romney for president on Thursday.
