Approaching a tipping point in nuclear talks with Iran
Julian Borger | Guardian
"The early hours of July 21!" That was the recent prediction of a European diplomat involved in the multilateral, multi-stage talks with Iran over the country's nuclear programme. The target date for a deal is July 20. The little joke embedded in the diplomat's forecast was that past experience suggests that the talks will go right down to the wire and then a few hours beyond, as the sides jostle for last-gasp advantage, before concluding in the middle of the night.
A Nuclear North Korea vs. a Strategically Patient U.S.: Who Wins?
Leon Sigal | National Interest
As President Obama heads to Asia, strategic patience in Washington is stirring strategic impatience in Pyongyang. For over a year North Korea has waited for the United States to resume negotiations—but it will wait no longer.
Iran's Rouhani defends nuclear deal talks
Al Jazeera
President Hassan Rouhani of Iran has accused his critics of using lies to oppose his policies, including nuclear talks with world powers, and says a deal restricting Iran's nuclear programme would benefit the country.
China 'resolutely opposes' U.S. sanctions on missile parts supplier
Ben Blanchard | Reuters
China said on Wednesday it "resolutely opposes" U.S. sanctions that could harm non-proliferation work between the two countries after Washington laid charges against a Chinese businessman accused of allegedly procuring missile parts for Iran.
North Korea Pulls back From Nuclear Brink?
Zachary Keck | Diplomat
North Korea appeared to pull back from the nuclear brink on Tuesday, after weeks of signaling that it is preparing for a fourth nuclear test. In a statement attributed to North Korea’s Foreign Ministry and published on the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang said that there was "no statute of limitations" on its previous threat to conduct a "new form of nuclear test."
Saudi missile parade a signal to Iran, Israeli defense expert tells 'Post'
Yaakov Lappin | Jerusalem Post
Saudi Arabia concluded a large-scale military exercise with a display of its Chinese- made Dongfeng 3 ballistic missiles this week, showcasing the missiles for the first time in a veiled warning to Iran, a defense expert told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.