World Politics News   Articles for World Politics Course

The Associated Press has obtained a document from the Obama Administration that lists the concessions made thus far by Iran in the nuclear negotiations.  Those concessions include:

1. Iran will further limit its development of new technology for enriching uranium

2. Patch up loopholes on Iran’s research and development of advanced centrifuges

3. For one centrifuge model, Tehran won’t be able to pursue the industrial-scale operation needed for any “breakout” effort toward producing enough material for a nuclear weapon

4. For other centrifuge models, Iran won’t be allowed to feed the centrifuges with uranium gas or begin testing on a cascade level

5. Iran has agreed to turn 35 kg of higher-enriched uranium oxide stocks into fuel, making it unusable for weapons development

6. Iran will grant international inspectors expanded access to its centrifuge production facilities, allowing the U.N. nuclear agency to double the amount of visits it makes to sites and to undertake unannounced or “snap” inspections

7. Iran will refrain from any other forms of enrichment, including through the use of laser technology

This list is impressive, and would undoubtedly prevent the “rapid” development of nuclear weapons.  It remains to be seen whether these concessions are sufficient for the US Congress or for the Netanyahu government.

More than 500,000 people in the Philippines have fled for higher ground as Typhoon Hagupit is slamming into the country.  The typhoon looks like it will make landfall in roughtly the same area that Typhoon Haiyan hit last year, causing widespread damage and loss of life.

The International Criminal Court has dropped charges against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for the deaths of at least 1,200 people in political violence associated with the 2007 presidential election.  The decision is highly contentious as memories of the violence against the Kikuyu ethnic group in Kenya have festered since the election.  The decision was met with both joy and disbelief in Kenya, but there is no further legal route to pursue for those who believe the President is guilty.