IRAN
Netanyahu Is Wrong to Scorn Diplomacy
The Editors, Bloomberg – October 1, 2013
Netanyahu, speaking to the United Nations yesterday, is right to question Iranian sincerity during this past week. Nevertheless, he is wrong to claim that any attempt at a diplomatic solution would be fruitless. The West should not ignore this genuine opportunity to engage with the Iranian leadership and solve the issue of its nuclear program peacefully.
Netanyahu Pushes Back on Iran
The Editorial Board, The New York Times – October 1, 2013
Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel gave a speech yesterday claiming that Iranian President was a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. Netanyahu has a right to distrust the words of the Iranian President, however his exaggeration of the Iranian threat could shut out the chance of establishing a new relationship between the West and the Iran.
Iran parliament endorses President Rouhani’s diplomatic outreach
Marcus George and Jon Hemming, Reuters – October 1, 2013
President Rouhani’s new diplomatic drive received parliamentary support in Tehran yesterday. This endorsement from the parliament, which is controlled by political factions loyal to the Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marks a clear sign of support from the Iranian establishment for the president’s current foreign policy.
Security Insiders: Iranian President Rouhani’s Outreach to U.S. Is Genuine
Sara Sorcher, National Journal – October 1, 2013
A majority of foreign policy experts polled at the United Nations General Assembly last week agree that President Rouhani’s recent diplomatic outreach is genuine. These experts were, however, qualified in their optimism. Many acknowledged the difficulty in evaluating whether Iran will be willing to negotiate on hard issues when negotiations begin later this month.
New sanctions likely despite thaw in US-Iran ties
Deb Riechmann and Bradley Klapper, The Associated Press – October 2, 2013
Despite moderate support from Congress for the President’s diplomatic engagement with President Rouhani of Iran, it is likely to enact tougher sanctions on Iran’s oil exports in the coming months. The threat of further sanctions will provide the US with leverage in upcoming negotiations with Iran and could pressure the country into agreeing to curb its current enrichment program.
NORTH KOREA
South Korea, U.S. sign new pact to deter North Korea nuclear threat
David Alexander and Jack Kim, Reuters – October 2, 2013
Defense Secretary Hagel and his South Korean counterpart signed a new defense pact today designed to deter North Korea’s usage of weapons of mass destruction against the South. The pact also outlined a review of the transfer of military command on the peninsula from the US to South Korea planned for 2015.
THE MILITARY BUDGET
How to Avoid a $60 Billion Bailout for Navy Submarines
Benjamin Loehrke, Roll Call – October 1, 2013
The Navy’s expensive Ohio-replacement submarine program is going to take away money from other military programs. To avoid this, the Navy should cut the order of these new submarines from 12 to 8. This would save money while providing enough nuclear armed submarines to continue the U.S. submarine-based deterrent.
MISSILE DEFENSE
Don’t bet on new missiles at Fort Drum
Timothy Farnsworth and Tom Z. Collina – October 1, 2013
New York representatives and senators are in favor of a new missile defense site at Fort Drum. Yet the installation of this site is unlikely to proceed in light of a lack of funding. Even if funding were available, installation of such a site would be unwise in light of flaws with the system as it is and the fact that no threat exists against which it would be needed.
