Iran
Iran’s top leader: Nuclear solution ‘easy’ if West serious about deal
Associated Press, Washington Post – June 27, 2013
Iran’s supreme leader said a solution to the nuclear impasse with the West would be “easy” if the United States and its allies are serious about seeking a deal, Iranian media reported Thursday.
Iran’s new president looks westward for nuke talks
Brian Murphy, Denver Post – June 26, 2013
Rouhani said one-on-one talks with Washington are the only way for breakthroughs in the nuclear standoff, given that the United States—as he put it—is the world’s “sheriff.”
Defense Spending
Appropriations bill criticizes slowing MOX to study alternatives
Rob Pavey, Augusta Chronicle – June 26, 2013
Congressional budget writers aired new concerns this week over the government’s plan to scale back construction at the mixed oxide fuel plant to explore other options for disposing of surplus plutonium.
House Bill Boosts Warhead Funding, Despite Cost Concerns
Douglas P. Guarino, Global Security Newswire – June 27, 2013
House appropriators are looking to boost funding for efforts to refurbish U.S. nuclear warheads, even as they and their Senate counterparts are demanding that the administration evaluate whether there are less costly alternatives to the current projects.
Reboot
Phillip Carter and Nora Bensahel, Foreign Policy – June 26, 2013
The current fiscal crisis also offers an opportunity for the Army to downsize its incredibly inefficient basing structure…basing inefficiencies will cost the Army valuable training dollars that could save lives in future wars.
Afghanistan
US expects more Taliban attacks despite peace talks
AFP, International Herald Tribune – June 27, 2013
The United States said Thursday that it expected the Taliban to continue to mount attacks in Afghanistan even as the rebels hold peace talks from their new office in Qatar.
North Korea
Chinese, South Korean presidents want quick return of North Korea nuclear disarmament talks
Associated Press, Washington Post – June 27, 2013
The Chinese and South Korean presidents called Thursday for a swift resumption of six-nation North Korean nuclear disarmament talks after a summit that brought together Pyongyang’s archrival and its biggest ally.
India
U.S.-India Nuclear Deal Still Far Off
Niharika Mandhana and Biman Mukherji, Wall Street Journal – June 26, 2013
The question of India’s nuclear-liability law still hangs like a rain cloud over negotiations.
