We scholars of international relations often emphasize the role that large, impersonal forces play in driving policy. The habit is as old as recorded history, running all the way back to Thucydides, who said of the Peloponnesian War: The real cause I consider to be the one which was formally most kept out of sight. …
QDR May Examine Nuclear Missions, Strike Options Against China
by | 2005-01-28 | No Comments
The 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review. Inside Defense reports that the 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) may, for the first time, evaluate nuclear as well as conventional forces. Ryan Henry, principal deputy under secretary of defense for policy, would not confirm that strategic forces would be included, noting that the terms of reference (ToR) memo that …
More on the EU-Iran Negotiation Summary
by | 2005-01-27 | No Comments
AP describes one paragraph of a confidential summary of EU-Iran negotions this way: But the summary of the last meeting on the issue involving representatives of France, Britain, Germany and Iran says Tehran acknowledged what Washington and its allies have argued all along that the oil-rich country has no need for nuclear energy. Here is …
Paris Negotiations Update 20: EU Confidential
by | 2005-01-26 | No Comments
Reuters and AP obtained the full-text summary of the recent Iran-EU3 negotiations. The press coverage focuses on the underlying pessimism of the document, which notes: The Iranian position is obviously guided by the goal of maintaining the fuel cycle. Without being more specific, they only saw scope for some additional assurances, inter alia, increased verification …
