CZECH REPUBLIC
Vaclav Havel’s life in truth
Jiri Pehe, the Asutralian (Op-Ed) – December 20, 2011
Long before Czechoslovakia’s communist regime collapsed in 1989, Vaclav Havel was one of the most remarkable figures in Czech history, already a successful playwright when he became the unofficial leader of the opposition movement.
NORTH KOREA
Kim’s Death Inspires Worries and Anxiety
Alan Cowell, NYT – December 19, 2011
The death of Kim Jong-il provoked uncertainty, anxiety and calls for a peaceful succession on Monday as governments within the region and beyond awaited some signal from North Korea about its nuclear intentions and the prospects, if any, for a new relationship with the world beyond its borders.
Kim Jong Il’s Death May Trigger Nuclear Crisis for Obama
Indira A.R. Lakshmanan & Nicole Gaouette, Bloomberg – December 19, 2011
The death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il presents a potential crisis for President Barack Obama, complicating U.S. efforts to press the regime to abandon its nuclear arsenal and cease belligerent behavior.
North Korea’s Kim Jong Il dies; South goes on high alert
Greg Botelho & Holly Yan, CNN – December 19, 2011
Seoul put South Korean forces on high alert and Pyongyang urged an increase in its “military capability” as the death of North Korea’s enigmatic leader Kim Jong Il spurred fresh security concerns in the tense region.
Japan calls urgent security meeting after Kim death
Hiroshi Hiyama, AFP – December 19, 2011
Japan gathered senior ministers Monday to discuss security concerns following North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il’s death as the government offered rare “condolences” on the passing of a much-reviled man.
IRAN
U.S., Allies Step Up Iran Embargo Talks
Jay Solomon, WSJ – December 19, 2011
The Obama administration, its European allies and key Arab states are intensifying discussions on how to maintain stability in the global energy markets in a possible precursor to a formal embargo on Iran’s oil exports and its central bank.
Edgy Israel forms ‘Iran command’
Uzi Mahnaimi, the Australian – December 19, 2011
Israel has announced the formation of an “Iran command” to control special forces operations inside Iran amid growing speculation that a military attack on the Islamic republic is coming.
UNITED STATES
Republican candidates turn their fire on Ron Paul’s foreign policy
Jeremy Herb, The Hill (Blog) – December 18, 2011
The Republican presidential candidates turned their fire on Rep. Ron Paul at Thursday’s debate, showcasing what’s become the Texas Republican’s Achilles’ heel in the Republican primary: his foreign policy views.
