AFGHANISTAN
How to prepare Afghanistan for a U.S. withdrawal
John Podesta, Brian Katulis and Caroline Wadhams, Washington Post– August 22, 2011
As the United States begins a security transition in Afghanistan, it has focused the vast majority of its strategy, efforts and resources on building Afghan security forces and weakening insurgents through military pressure.
PAKISTAN
FMCT: Securing Pakistan’s interests
Momin Iftikhar, The Nation– August 22, 2011
The pressure is yet again building on Pakistan to give up its objection to the agenda concerning the deliberations on the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) in the Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament (CD).
NORTH KOREA
Biden: N. Korean, Iranian Nuclear Programs Posing Serious Threat
Arirang News–August 22, 2011
US Vice President Joe Biden, who is currently on a three-nation tour of Asia says North Korea and Iran’s nuclear and missile development programs are posing a serious threat to stability in the US and China.
IRAN
Iran moves some centrifuges to underground site
Associated Press– August 22,2011
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s vice president says his country has moved some of its centrifuge machines used to enrich uranium to an underground site in central Iran.
SYRIA
President Assad ‘not worried’ by unrest in Syria
The Telegraph- August 22, 2011
President Assad appeared on Sunday in a rare television interview – his fourth public appearance since the revolt against his family’s 40-year rule erupted in mid-March.
LIBYA
Tripoli opened to rebels by sleeper cells, NATO
David Morgan, CBS News- August 22, 2011
After six months of grueling deadlock, the rebels’ advance into the capital of Tripoli – up to the doorstep of the compound of regime leader Muammar Qaddafi – was startlingly quick.
