…this statement by Pakistani army spokesman Athar Abbas comes on the heels of the attack on the CIA station in Khost province – an attack “apparently planned and carried out by Taliban militants in Pakistan’s tribal areas.”
For more, here’s the NYT article.
…is still puzzling spy agencies, says the NYT.
The document which reportedly “describes research Iran would need to conduct on an advanced technology to detonate a nuclear weapon, if it was to develop one” still needs to be authenticated. If it is authentic, its exact import is still debatable.
The document appeared in a public report on Sunday.
Reuters/NYT just ran a story on the IAEA report that Iran is “ramping up” nuclear production of low enriched uranium (LEU) to the point where it has 5000 centrifuges operating. Note that this number of operational centrifuges isn’t really news. Back in November 2008, Iran’s nuclear chief announced that the country was running 5,000 uranium centrifuges at its central plant, up 1,000 from the 4,000 reported in August.
I’m guessing that what is news is that Iran’s stockpile of LEU is at 1339 kg , nearly triple what it had six months ago.
In any case, these operations are in direct defiance to U.N. demands that Iran cease its nuclear program. Iran claims it wants the industry for the purposes of alternative energy; however, it has stonewalled an IAEA investigation and limited its inspections.
To actually produce a bomb it would require conversion of the low enriched uranium into high enriched uranium, a process requiring the configuration of its centrifuge network and other time consuming “technical hurdles.” Inspectors would notice the process…unless they already have a secret site location where this is taking place.
BTW, has any one seen Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan lately? Pakistan released him from house arrest a few months ago. You know, the rogue nuclear scientist, dubbed the “largest nuclear proliferator in history”, who has admitted to selling nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya? Anyone?
Click here for more on Iran and its pursuit of weapons capability.
The L.A. Times reports that in a news conference earlier this month, President Obama described Iran’s”pursuit” of weapons capability, echoing CIA Director Leon Panetta’s definitive comments made while testifying on Capitol Hill: “From all the information I’ve seen… I think there is no question that they are seeking that capability.”
Way different from the November 2007 National Intelligence Estimate, little over a year ago.
And they’re doing it with parts unknowingly supplied by the U.S.!!!!
Back in November 2008, Iran’s nuclear chief announced that the country is running 5,000 uranium centrifuges at its central plant. These operations are in direct defiance to U.N. demands that Iran cease its nuclear program. The report of 5,000 centrifuges is up 1,000 from the 4,000 reported in August.
Ruh roh. BTW, has any one seen Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan lately? Pakistan just released him from house arrest the other day. You know, the rogue nuclear scientist, dubbed the “largest nuclear proliferator in history”, who has admitted to selling nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya? Anyone?
Click here for more on Iran and its pursuit of weapons capability.
UPDATE: (Guardian UK): Iran makes its first test run of nuclear reactor in Bushehr: “Substitute fuel used in trial of facility that Tehran says is for energy, but west fears programme is front for building atomic weapon.”
ABC News reports that, in a mind-blowingly brazen move, Pakistan has decided to release rogue scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan from house arrest.
Either Pakistan’s President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani did not learn anything from the Mumbai terror attacks or they are trying to test the new American administration and are taking a page from Saudi Arabia’s “For Dummies” playbook on “How to Pacify Your Jihadi Insurgent Population”.
In a speech made soon after his release, Dr. Khan, who has admitted to selling nuclear technology to Iran, North Korea and Libya and has been called “the largest nuclear proliferator in history” sounds intelligent, determined, extremely angry at America, and defiantly unrepentant about the actions which compelled former Pakistani President Musharraf to place him under house arrest.
Reportedly the U.S. was not informed of the decision to release him, which was secured by the Pakistani Ministry of Interior then processed through their courts. “Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. sanctioned Khan as well as 12 colleagues and three companies linked to his proliferation work to “prevent future proliferation-related activities.”
I hope Madame Secretary Clinton has Prime Minister Gillani’s phone ringing off the hook with demands for an explanation. Sister is scheduled to leave in a week or two for Japan, Indonesia, South Korea and China on her first foreign trip since assuming office, so she’ll have her hands full. Time for a “junket” to Pakistan!
Basically, this increases the threat that the revitalized Taliban in Pakistan will soon develop an RDD or “dirty bomb.” Click here for my previous post on Khan and this emerging threat.
The WSJ reports the Iraq parliament approved a security pact with the U.S., with the backing of key Shiite, Kurdish and Arab Sunni blocs. The pact allows American troops to stay in Iraq until 2012. As it stood, the deal allowing troops’ current presence in the country was due to expire December 31st.
The new pact must be ratified by the Presidential Council, whose three members each have veto power.
View story here.
….according to a rather broad sweeping prediction from the Economist Intelligence Unit ViewsWire (here).
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