MISSILE DEFENSE
Missile Defense Interceptor Misses Target in Test
Thom Shanker, The New York Times — July 5, 2013
A test launching of an advanced missile-defense interceptor failed to hit its target high over the Pacific Ocean, the Pentagon said on Friday, four months after the Obama administration announced that it would spend $1 billion to increase the number of interceptors along the West Coast in response to verbal threats from North Korea.
IRAN
U.N. nuclear agency and Iran may meet in August: diplomats
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters — July 8, 2013
The U.N. atomic agency and Iran may hold a new round of nuclear talks in August, diplomats said on Monday, in what would be their first meeting since last month’s election of a relative moderate as the Islamic state’s president.
Opinion: It’s time to hit reset on Iran: Engage Hassan Rouhani
Keith Ellison and Jim McDermott, Politico — July 7, 2013
The unexpected victory of Hassan Rouhani in Iran’s recent presidential election presents the United States its best opportunity in years to reset America’s relationship with the country. Reinvigorated diplomatic engagement remains the best option to achieve two goals that are critical for U.S. interests in the Middle East: preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and preventing a military strike against the country that could escalate to a wider war.
NORTH KOREA
Two Koreas agree to take steps to reopen joint industrial zone
Jane Chung, Reuters — July 7, 2013
North and South Korea agreed early on Sunday to take steps to reopen a jointly run industrial park, including facilities inspections, after the two rivals staged a marathon meeting lasting more than 16 hours to arrange details.
‘Substantial’ differences with NKorea on nuclear talks: Russia
AFP — July 6, 2013
Russia said Friday it still had “a number of substantial” differences with North Korea concerning efforts to resume stalled six-party negotiations on the Stalinist state’s nuclear weapons drive.
DEFENSE SPENDING
Defense furloughs set to start
Lolita C. Baldor, The Washington Post — July 7, 2013
A day without pay, the first of 11 through September, comes this week for more than 650,000 people who hold civilian jobs with the Defense Department. But officials worry that the Pentagon will be hit even harder in 2014 by having to impose layoffs if automatic budget cuts continue as planned.
Defense industry hatches new plot to kill the sequester
Jeremy Herb, The Hill — July 6, 2013
The defense industry is plotting a new attempt to do away with the budget cuts on tap for the Pentagon in 2014.
The Smart-Shopping Way to Cut Defense Spending
Michele Flournoy, The Wall Street Journal — July 7, 2013
…In a period when the U.S. military must do its part in both defending the nation and addressing America’s budgetary woes, a bloated defense enterprise and outmoded acquisition practices cannot be tolerated. The time to fundamentally reform acquisition has finally arrived.
