AP: They are known as barrel bombs – makeshift, shrapnel-packed explosive devices that Syrian forces have been dropping on rebel-held neighborhoods from helicopters. Residents have another name for them: “barrels of death.”
Syria puts a crude weapon to deadly use
AP source: US waives sanctions on Iran broadcaster
AP: The Obama administration is temporarily waiving sanctions on Iran’s state broadcaster, a senior Obama administration official said late Thursday. The move could be seen as a confidence-building measure.
Former Arms Control envoy Robert Joseph: Time for sanctions on Iran
The Hill: President Obama’s assertion in the State of the Union address that American diplomacy has halted Iran’s nuclear program is a dangerous illusion.
Obama official defends Iraqi leader to Congress
The Hill: President Obama’s point-man on Iraq did his best to defend the country’s leader on Wednesday in front of lawmakers convinced he’s a murderous tyrant. The White House wants to expedite the sale of advanced military hardware such as attack helicopters.
Syria misses another deadline for chemical weapons destruction
UPI: The Syrian government missed the critical target date of Feb. 5 to remove all of their chemical weapons from the country for destruction. According to the chemical weapons deal the weapons were to be moved out of Syria by Feb. 5.
How to deal with a nuclear Iran
Bloomberg: During the next six months, the U.S. and its negotiating partners will try, in the words of President Barack Obama, to persuade Iran to agree on a “peaceful nuclear program,” including a “modest enrichment capability,” that leaves it short of the ability to produce nuclear weapons.
Japan makes first oil payment to Iran in a year – sources
Reuters: Japan this week became the first of Iran’s oil buyers to make a payment for crude imports under an interim nuclear deal, sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
Iran: US ‘wishes won’t come true’ at nuclear talks
AP: Iran’s foreign minister said Wednesday that Washington’s “wishes are unlikely to come true” in talks between the Islamic Republic and world powers over its nuclear program.
Business trip to Iran ‘not helpful’, Kerry tells France
Reuters: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has told his French counterpart a trip to Iran by French executives was “not helpful” and that it gave the wrong impression that the West could do business with Tehran as usual, a U.S. official said.
Iraqi PM under fire amid ‘insanity’ of suicide bombings
AFP: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki came under fire from US lawmakers Wednesday for the slow pace of political reconciliation and links to Iran, said to fuel a wave of suicide bombings.
