Years · 2004

November 2004

49 posts

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Word of the Day: "Geheimdienst"

Regarding the questionable story about Iranian tunneling attributed to an “intelligence service” (“Geheimdienst” in German), a colleague notes these sort of stories are sadly common in the German press. As evidence, he cites a recent story in Die Welt—attributed only…

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Boucher Gets Pissed about Iran

The Booch has a temper. Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani suggested Iran had defeated U.S. efforts to win a referral of Iran to the UN Security Council. Asked about the comment, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher got testy with…

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TunnelDiggin' (Iran)

Der Spiegel reports that Iran is constructing a secret tunnel project near the uranium enrichment facility at Esfahan (Isfahan). Here is the relevant portion translated by World News Connection: According to an intelligence dossier, which Der Spiegel has obtained, at…

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Russian ABM Test

TASS reports that the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces tested an ABM interceptor at its Sary-Shagan facility in Kazakhstan on Monday. A spokesman for the Strategic Rocket Forces told TASS “All the tactical and technical performance characteristics of the missile were…

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Paris Negotiations Update 16: Vienna, We Have a Resolution

The IAEA Board of Governors has passed a resolution welcoming the Iran-EU3 accord. Crucially, and in line with Iranian demands, the resolution described the freeze as a voluntary, confidence-building measure and not a legally binding commitment. Its passage meant that…

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SecState on the Dancing Queen…

Not saying this matters, but… Powell in a November 26 interview with People magazine: “I love ABBA and I love pop kind of stuff and musicals…”

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Paris Negotiations Update 15: What are 20 Centrifuges Among Friends?

“Deal Imperiled as Iran Hesitates” (Washington Post) “Iranians Refuse to Terminate Nuclear Plans” (New York Times) “Iran: Nuclear resolution unacceptable” (CNN) “Iran says European position at nuclear talks still unacceptable” (AFP) “Diplomats Say Iran Uranium Deal Salvaged” (AP) “EU Stands…

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Tracking the Dragon: Unneccessary Redactions

I’ve now had an opportunity to spend considerable time looking at the declassified documents in Tracking the Dragon: Selected National Intelligence Estimates on China, 1948-1976. Despite my initial reaction that the release was a real goldmine, I can’t help but…