IRAN
Iran launches production of banned carbon fiber
Nasser Karimi, The Associated Press — August 27, 2011
Iran has inaugurated its own production of carbon fiber, a material under U.N. embargo because of its potential use in the country’s controversial nuclear program, the official IRNA news agency reported Saturday.
Iran starts mass production of anti-armor rockets
Xinhua — August 29, 2011
Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi inaugurated on Monday a mass production line of anti-armor rockets used to destroy tanks, armored vehicles and enemy’s ammunition depots, the English-language satellite Press TV reported.
NORTH KOREA
China-North Korean Leader Repeats Offer for Nuclear Talks
Edward Wong, New York Times — August 26, 2011
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, reiterated Friday that he would return to the so-called six-party talks on his country’s nuclear program with no preconditions, Xinhua, the Chinese state news agency, reported.
A test for North Korea’s deals on wheels
Donald Kirk, Asia Times — August 29, 2011
The greatest mystery surrounding Kim Jong-il’s visits to Russia and China has nothing to do with secret deals on commerce or six-party talks on his nukes. It’s what he brings with him and takes away in that 14-car train in which he travels whenever he crosses the border into those forbidding lands beyond.
LIBYA
Planning for Libya’s transition shifts into high gear
Dan Murphy, Christian Science Monitor — August 24, 2011
Representatives of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) are sitting down with officials from around the world in Doha, Qatar, today in a meeting expected to arrange $2.5 billion in emergency financing for an interim Libyan government and to shape the international role in Libya moving forward.
Extradition Rules Out for Lockerbie Convict in Tripoli
David Kirkpatrick et al., New York Times — August 29, 2011
The Scottish authorities on Monday endorsed a Libyan rebel decision not to extradite Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, the only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, who was released from a Scottish prison two years ago on the ground that he was near death.
Foreign Policy: Give Optimism and Credit to Libya
James Traub, NPR — August 29, 2011
At this moment of spectacular triumph in Tripoli, even the fiercest advocates of the NATO intervention that helped topple Moammar Gadhafi have been sounding notes of trepidation and sober caution; nobody wants to get caught out being unduly optimistic.
SYRIA
Even Iran, Syria’s best friend urges Assad to ease crackdown
Ariel Zirulnick, Christian Science Monitor — August 29, 2011
Syria’s regime has lost crucial support from close allies Iran and Turkey at a time when its Army is beginning to fall apart, signaling cracks within and without that could spell the end of more than 40 years of rule by the Assad family.
IRAQ
Report: U.S. Has Wasted $30 Billion on Iraq, Afghanistan contracts and grants
Fox News — August 29, 2011
The federal government has wasted more than $30 billion on contracts and grants in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a new report set to be released Wednesday.
Baghdad mosque attack: Suicide bomber kills at least 28
BBC News — August 28, 2011
The attack took place during prayers in the Umm al-Qura mosque in west Baghdad, the city’s largest Sunni mosque. Officials said parliamentarian Khalid al-Fahdawi was among the dead in the strike, the Associated Press reported.
UNITED NATIONS
House Rep Slams U.N. after Cuba succeeds North Korea at helm of nuclear panel
Fox News — August 26, 2011
A top House lawmaker ridiculed the United Nations after Cuba assumed the rotating presidency of a nuclear arms control panel, replacing North Korea at the helm of the group.
