Iran agrees to export enriched uranium; Executives at Chrysler, AIG, Citigroup and others get 90% pay cut; China posts nine percent growth; Abdullah Abdullah commits to run-off; Guinea massacre prompt EU arms embargo; and more

Top of the Agenda: Iranian Negotiators Accept a Draft Deal

Iranian negotiators accepted a draft deal (WashPost) to transfer the bulk of Iran's enriched uranium out of the country. The deal would require Iran to send nearly 80 percent of its stockpile of enriched uranium to Russia, delaying its attempts to develop a nuclear weapon. The agreement has to be confirmed by the government in Tehran and would allow the Obama administration more time for talks with Iran.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei set a deadline of Friday (LAT) on the draft agreement, which is being circulated among the negotiators. Under the plan, Iran's supply of low-enriched uranium would be sent from Russia on to France to be further refined and turned into plates for use in a medical research reactor.

Analysis

The Los Angeles Times reports that the deal could buy time for Iran to continue expanding its ability to produce nuclear fuel at its Natanz facility. According to Mark Fitzpatrick, a nonproliferation specialist at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, the deal is a big step for the Obama administration because it "implicitly accepts Iran's right to enrichment."

Haaretz's Yossi Melman says the agreement is a big win for Iran because it removes all justification for an attack on Iran's nuclear sites.

A Financial Times op-ed by CFR's Richard Haass asserts that Iran's political character--not just its capability--should define the international community's response to its nuclear ambitions.

Background

A new CFR Backgrounder explores concerns over Iran's nuclear program and its ballistic missile program.

 

PACIFIC RIM: China’s Economic Growth

China's gross domestic product rose 8.9 percent (WSJ) in the third quarter from a year earlier, a sign that China's recovery is becoming more sustainable and that Chinese consumers are willing to spend more. Chinese officials had previously warned that the country's rebound was still shaky but now seem confident in calling a solid recovery.

Japan: The Obama administration warned the new Japanese government (WashPost) on Wednesday that it would be "immensely complicated and counterproductive" for Japan to pull out of its military realignment plan with the United States.

 

ELSEWHERE:

Afghan opponent to President Karzai agrees to runoff election
US pay czar slashes executive pay
EU prepares arms embargo and sanctions against Guinea

 

This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org