IRAN
Iran says Bushehr nuclear power plant in final testing stages
Xinhua – August 28, 2011
Iran announced Saturday that its first nuclear power plant Bushehr is undergoing the final tests. Deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Ahmadian, said Saturday the pre-launch tests for Bushehr nuclear power plant are in their final stages, the local satellite Press TV reported.
Press TV: Iran sending submarine, warship to Gulf of Aden, Red Sea
The Washington Post – August 30, 2011
An official Iranian news agency says Iran is sending a submarine and a warship to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Press TV quotes the commander, Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, as saying the deployment will serve the country’s interests and “convey the message of peace and friendship to all countries.”
Will Iran Nuke the Tea Party?
Jack Hunter, Charleston City Paper — August 30, 2011
Why is it that during the last decade, when Republicans controlled all three branches of government, the national debt still exploded? Why is it that the last time a real conservative sat in the White House — Ronald Reagan — government grew astronomically?
NORTH KOREA
China, Russia rush to rebuild North Korea transport links
Jeremy Laurence, Reuters — August 30, 2011
North Korea Aug 31 (Reuters) – Destitute North Korea’s push to breathe new life into economic relationships with its neighbours China and Russia appears to be bearing fruit in its far north of the country where foreigners are busy helping rebuild a crumbling infrastructure.
Minister-nominee to seek flexibility on NK
Kim Young-jin, The Korea Times — August 31, 2011
Newly appointed Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik said in his first public comments since being named to the post Wednesday he would take a steady, yet adjustable approach toward North Korea.
LIBYA
A troubling lesson from Libya: Don’t give up nukes
Reza Sanati, The Christian Science Monitor — August 30, 2011
Of all the lessons to draw from the ignoble end to Muammar Qaddafi’s brutal regime in Libya, the one about nuclear weapons proliferation is probably not the first tutorial that comes to mind.
Libya’s interim leaders reject UN military personnel
BBC News — August 31, 2011
Libya’s interim leadership has rejected the idea of deploying any kind of international military force, the UN envoy to the country has said.
AFGHANISTAN
Panel: Widespread waste and fraud in wartime spending
Richard Lardner, The Associated Press — August 31, 2011
As much as $60 billion in U.S. tax dollars has been lost to waste and fraud in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade due to lax oversight of contractors, poor planning and corruption, according to an independent panel.
