IRAN
Senate split on new Iran sanctions
Burgess Everett and John Bresnahan, Politico – November 12, 2013
Senators on both sides of the aisle remain divided on the issue of whether a new round of sanctions should be issued against Iran. The Obama administration is attempting to convince the senate that this proposed new round should be delayed in order to give diplomatic negotiations in Geneva a chance.
What About US?
Thomas L. Friedman, The New York Times – October 12, 2013
The US should remember to articulate and assert its own national interests in its current policy towards Iran. Right now, diplomatic engagement with the Islamic Republic is in the US national interest and US policy makers should articulate this interest in the face of Israeli and Sunni Gulf Arab opposition.
Stephens: Axis of Fantasy vs. Axis of Reality
Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal – November 11, 2013
The US currently finds itself as the leader of the ‘axis of fantasy’ insofar as it does not realize the reality of the situation regarding Iran’s controversial nuclear program. The administration is so desperate to make a deal with the Islamic Republic that it fails to see the sinister intentions behind the hollow Iranian promises.
After Near Miss on Iran, Kerry Says Diplomacy Is Still the Right Path
Mark Landler, The New York Times – November 11, 2013
Secretary of State John Kerry has defended US diplomatic efforts towards Iran’s nuclear program against a growing number of critics following the P5+1 talks over the weekend. Commenting on why the talks failed to produce a deal, Secretary Kerry stated that “There was unity, but Iran couldn’t take it.”
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Ending Nuclear Overkill
Benjamin H. Friedman and Christopher A. Preble, The New York Times – November 13, 2013
The US does not require its current triad strategy of nuclear weapon delivery systems based on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and long range strike bomber aircraft. This strategy is a relic of the Cold War. A monad or dyad strategy would save money in the long term while maintaining a viable US nuclear deterrent.
Analysts: Pakistan Unlikely To Transfer Nuclear Weapons, Know-how to Saudis
Usman Ansari, Defense One – November 12, 2013
A number of nuclear weapons analysts have raised their doubts about a BBC report published last week that claimed Saudi Arabia could acquire nuclear weapons from Pakistan if Iran produces its own nuclear weapon. For an array of economic, political and strategic reasons, both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are unlikely to have made such an agreement.
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Classified program speeds satellite data transmission
Ray Locker, USA Today – November 12, 2013
Intelligence officials charged with the tracking of nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological materials that could be used to develop weapons have developed a new high speed satellite modem. This modem allows these analysts to track these materials quicker and more comprehensively.
