IRAN
UN Official Says New Trip to Iran Planned, Indicating Progress on Nuclear Issues
Associated Press – February 1, 2012
A U.N. nuclear team on Wednesday announced plans to revisit Tehran “in the very near future,” indicating some progress on its quest to wrest information from Iran about allegations that it secretly worked on an atomic arms program.
Iran Praises Nuclear Talks with Team from UN
Rick Gladstone, New York Times – January 31, 2012
Iran said Tuesday that a team of United Nations nuclear inspectors visiting since the weekend had concluded “constructive and positive” talks with Iranian officials, with further discussions planned at an unspecified date.
Intelligence Report Lists Iran and Cyberattacks as Leading Concerns
Eric Schmitt, New York Times – January 31, 2012
Some senior Iranian leaders are now more willing to carry out attacks inside the United States in response to perceived American threats against their country, the Obama administration’s top intelligence official said on Tuesday, pointing to last fall’s suspected assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to Washington.
Group Urges Credible U.S. Military Threat to Iran
Arshad Mohammad, Reuters – February 1, 2012
The United States should deploy ships, step up covert activities and sharpen its rhetoric to make more credible the threat of a U.S. military strike to stop Iran’s nuclear program, a bipartisan group said on Wednesday.
In Israel, A Nonstop Debate On Possible Iran Strike
Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, NPR – January 31, 2012
In Israel, there is daily speculation over whether Israel will attack Iran’s nuclear facilities in the near future. The debate is not only over whether Israel should strike Iran, but what the costs and benefits might be from such a strike.
KOREAN PENINSULA
US Diplomat Says US Open to North Korea Diplomacy
Foster Klug, Associated Press – February 1, 2012
In a message aimed at both Koreas, a senior U.S. diplomat said Wednesday that Washington is open to settling the North Korean nuclear standoff through diplomacy, but only if Pyongyang improves ties with archrival South Korea.
U.S.
U.S. Navy, Marines Say More Capable Arms Offset Cuts
Andrea Shalal-Esa, Reuters – January 31, 2012
Senior officials from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps said on Tuesday that growing capabilities of new weapons systems could help offset cuts in defense spending that will shrink the number of ships and aircraft in coming years
Possibility of Base Closures Triggers New Anxiety for Officials
Chris Vaughn, Fort Worth Star-Telegram – January 31, 2012
It has been seven years since the U.S. military last reduced the number of bases in its inventory, a painful process for many communities that ultimately resulted in the closure of three installations in Texas.
Panetta Faces Tough NATO Meeting After Budget Shift
David Alexander, Reuters – February 1, 2012
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta faces an unexpectedly challenging NATO meeting this week that could expose embarrassing rifts in the Western alliance just as President Barack Obama prepares to host a summit of allied leaders this spring in the middle of an election year.
