'Most Substantive' Iran Nuclear Talks to Date, But Narrow Area of Agreement Laura Rozen | Al-Monitor Iranian nuclear experts deeply engaged on the substance of a revised international proposal, and said they are considering suspending 20% enrichment for six months and converting their 20% stockpile to oxide for medical use at technical talks with six world powers held in Istanbul last week, diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor Tuesday.
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Kang Seung-woo | Korea Times
In a strong show of force against North Korea, two B-2 U.S. stealth bombers took part in an annual joint military exercise Thursday. The inclusion of the hi-tech aircraft came shortly after the defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States reaffirmed their joint commitment to fight together in the event of any provocative action taken by North Korea. Full Article
Tom Porter | International Business Times
China has demonstrated its military might by testing new rockets capable of hitting aircraft carriers up to 1,250 miles from the shore, as the US announced it is stepping up its military presence in Asia. Tsai also said that China planned to build a nuclear aircraft carrier in addition to its three conventional carriers. Full Article
Jeremy Herb | Hill
Congress appears to be ceding the decision over whether to fund a controversial $400 million missile defense program to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and the Pentagon's lawyers. The Medium Extended Air Defense System has long been in Congress's crosshairs, and the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act prohibited funding the program. Full Article
Japan Times
Tohoku Electric Power Co. on Thursday dropped its plan to build a new nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture. The utility apparently decided it was impossible to go through with the construction amid strong local opposition following the triple meltdowns at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 plant. Full Article
Xie Tao | Carnegie Article
China has little unilateral leverage over North Korea, which may be why Beijing is eager to restart the Six-Party Talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program. But the Chinese have only themselves to blame. It is time for China to let go of North Korea. Close association with such a regime does not provide any benefit to China's national interests and international reputation. Full Article
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