Iran begins injecting fuel into its first nuclear reactor (+ analysis); China wary of growing anti-Japan mood; US mid-terms looks set to divide Congress further on deficit; India suspicious of getting too close to US; and more
Top of the Agenda: Iran Begins Fueling Bushehr Plant
Iran began loading fuel into its first nuclear power plant at Bushehr (PRESSTV), moving a step closer to its stated goal of generating nuclear power amid international pressure to curb its uranium enrichment activities. Iranian officials are aiming for the reactor to be generating electricity by 2011 (BBC), with enriched uranium supplied by Russia. Analysts say Iran's progress at Bushehr is meant to show Iranians the country can resist international sanctions (Reuters). The Bushehr plant does not bring Iran closer to building a nuclear bomb, since Russia will take away spent fuel that could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium. But Iran insists enriching uranium is needed to fuel future power stations and a medical research reactor. The country has not formally responded to an invitation by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton--who represents the UN Security Council permanent members plus Germany--for talks in Vienna (WashPost) from November 15 to 17.
Analysis:
On STRATFOR, George Friedman says Iran is "the one issue on which the president could galvanize public opinion," since many Democrats consider Iran a repressive violator of human rights, the Arabian Peninsula is afraid of Iran, and Europeans are hostile to Iran.
A new Chatham House paper says now is the time for Turkey to help curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, before the United States or Israel considers more coercive action against Iran's nuclear facilities.
Background:
This Backgrounder examines the US government's designation of Iran as the "most active state sponsor of terrorism," which feeds concerns about Iran's growing nuclear program.
PACIFIC RIM: China Nervous About Anti-Japanese Protests
The Chinese government may be nervous that a continuing spate of anti-Japanese demonstrations (CSMonitor) could lead protesters to turn on Chinese authorities instead of Tokyo.
How should Washington react to increasing signs of Chinese assertiveness in its neighborhood? Four CFR experts counsel firmness and engagement with China, and intensified ties between the United States and its allies.
China: In a departure from its one-on-one courtship of Beijing, the United States is lining up coalitions (NYT) to present Chinese leaders with a stern, unified front on issues including China's currency and its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The G20's finance meeting failed to offer concrete steps to mitigate a "currency war," and reports say it highlighted the group's shortcomings as an international arbiter of economic policy.
ELSEWHERE:
- Obama Aims to Boost India-US Defence Ties
- Divide on US Deficit to Grow Post-Election
This is an excerpt of the CFR.org Daily News Brief. The full version is available on CFR.org
