Trump’s Cancellation of Pompeo Trip Dashes Hopes in South Korea
Choe Sang-Hun | New York Times
On Thursday, the United States secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, announced that he would travel to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, this coming week, raising hopes that the trip would make progress in talks over denuclearizing the North and provide the rationale for Mr. Moon to advance inter-Korean relations. Those hopes were quickly dashed barely a day later, however, when President Trump abruptly canceled Mr. Pompeo’s trip.
North Korea Accuses U.S. of Plotting Invasion While Talking With ‘a Smile on Its Face’
Simon Denyer | Washington Post
North Korea’s main newspaper accused the United States on Sunday of staging military drills to prepare an invasion while at the same time pursuing dialogue with “a smile on its face.”
Iran Parliament Censures Rouhani in Sign Pragmatists Losing Sway
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin | Reuters
Iran’s parliament voted on Tuesday to reject President Hassan Rouhani’s explanations for economic hardship after a dramatic grilling on live TV, a sign his pragmatic faction is losing sway to hardline rivals as new U.S. sanctions begin to bite.
Iran Resumes Talks With Russia to Build New Nuclear Power Plant
Reuters
Iran has resumed talks with Russia to build a new nuclear power plant capable of generating up to 3,000 megawatts of electricity, energy minister Reza Ardakanian said Saturday, according to the Tasnim news agency.
The U.S. Government is Updating Its Nuclear Disaster Plans And They Are Truly Terrifying
Dan Vergano | Buzzfeed
Amid concerns over North Korea, federal emergency managers are updating disaster plans to account for large nuclear detonations over the 60 largest US cities, according to a US Federal Emergency Management Agency official.
Behind the Chaos of Washington’s Korea Policy
Daniel Sneider | Tokyo Business Today
After last week, it would be easy to believe that Washington’s North Korea policy is in a state of chaos. Last Thursday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo named a new special envoy on North Korea and announced they were heading together to Pyongyang for high level talks. Little more than 24 hours later, President Donald Trump, in a series of tweets, cancelled the visit.