Topic: Catherine Ashton

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Who is Ratko Mladic? Four key questions answered.

Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic was arrested Thursday in Serbia, more than a decade after a warrant was issued for his arrest for his involvement in the Bosnian war of the 1990s.
In Pictures: Weiwei: Artist and provocateur

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Iran nuclear talks a 'complete failure,' says Iranian diplomat

Both sides spoke of 'some common ground' that will drive the next round of Iran nuclear talks set for mid-June in Moscow. Yet a chasm of mismatched expectations widened in Baghdad.
Iran enriching uranium to higher levels than reported, says UN

The IAEA has found uranium enriched up to 27 percent in an underground bunker in central Iran, several diplomats told The Associated Press. Until now, Iran had only reported enriched uranium to 20 percent. Highly enriched uranium can be used to make nuclear weapons.
Iran nuclear talks: What world powers are offering, Iran isn't buying. Yet.

The parties to the Iran nuclear talks agreed only to reconvene, in Moscow next month. For now, any inducement short of easing sanctions is not enough to persuade Iran to relinquish its 20-percent-enriched uranium.
Hopes fade for progress at Iran nuclear talks in Baghdad

Iranian officials say practically no sanctions relief was placed on the table by Western powers in response to Iranian concessions over its nuclear program, dashing hopes for any breakthrough in Baghdad.
Iran nuclear talks: negotiators cite progress ahead of Baghdad meeting

Two days of UN-IAEA talks in Vienna signal some flexibility on both sides ahead of key nuclear meeting in Baghdad next week.
Keep Calm
Europe launches airstrikes on Somalia to uproot pirate base

This is the first time the European-led naval expedition, Operation Atalanta, has attacked a pirate base on Somali territory.
Iran nuclear talks: Are sanctions on the table?

A senior Iranian figure stated that Iran's 'minimum expectation' for the upcoming negotiations was a lifting of some sanctions, but sanctions are notoriously hard to remove.
Iran nuclear talks: To keep global support, US must seize diplomatic opportunities

Talks between Iran and the P5+1 in Istanbul April 14 show that negotiations aimed at addressing Tehran's nuclear ambitions appear to be on track. Diplomatic momentum should quell loose talk about the 'military option.' The top priority now must be to halt Iran's uranium enrichment.
Artful diplomacy with Syria and Iran

Kofi Annan and Catherine Ashton each relied on delicate diplomacy to bring some fragile hope to two big security issues – Iran's nuclear program and the civil war in Syria.
Iran nuclear talks: Why all sides kept positive

The talks Saturday between Iran and six major powers featured the most positive atmosphere in nearly a decade.
Iran nuclear talks: 'constructive' day yields plan for Round 2 in May

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said negotiators will meet in Baghdad next month. Chief Iran negotiator Saeed Jalili said next round should focus on confidence-building measures.
Iran nuclear talks: atmosphere 'completely different'

At the last meeting over Iran's nuclear program, the two sides could not even agree on an agenda. Meetings in Istanbul this weekend have gotten off to a better start.
Iran nuclear talks: Why there's hope for progress this time

A big question is whether the West will pressure Tehran to stop enrichment all together, or just prove that the Iran nuclear program is purely peaceful.
Iran nuclear talks: Why the trust gap is so great

Part of the reason for Iran's distrust lies in the CIA's infiltration of a UN weapons inspection team in Iraq in the 1990s.
Sudan vows quick response to South's oil field occupation

The government in Khartoum says they will not stand by after an oil field was occupied by South Sudanese forces.
Is Iran's proposal to hold nuke talks in Syria, Iraq, or China brinksmanship?

Iran's suggestions of alternative sites raised the possibility of complications to get talks under way as expected on April 13 between Iran and envoys from the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany.
Libya to Europe: Remember us?

Former Libyan Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril traveled to Brussels to warn European leaders about the dangers of abandoning their work in Libya before the country is stabilized.
Tehran: Iran nuclear talks on for April 13, venue to be decided soon

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is meeting today with Turkey's prime minister to discuss the Iran nuclear program ahead of April 13 talks, which may be held in Istanbul.
Jewish community draws solace from France's response to killings

Since a gunman killed a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse, French Jews have been bolstered by the universal national revulsion over the attacks.
Obama chides rivals for 'popping off' about war with Iran over nukes

At a Super Tuesday press conference, Obama sought to draw a sharp line between himself and the GOP presidential field over handling of the Iran nuclear program. 'Loose talk,' he suggested, does not befit a commander in chief.
Backchannels
EU heaps new sanctions on Syria

The Council of the European Union is seeking to tighten a financial noose around the regime of Syria's Bashar al-Assad.
Nuclear talks with Iran? Senators implore Obama to draw line in the sand.

The senators are urging Obama to demand that Iran suspend all of its uranium enrichment during any negotiations over its nuclear program, a position that could scuttle chances for the talks.
Is Iran serious about nuclear talks? West wants guarantees this time.

Iran says it is willing to talk about its nuclear program. But with signs that sanctions are taking a toll on Tehran, the West thinks it has the upper hand – and wants proof that Iran is serious.
Terrorism & Security
Israel, US dismiss Iran's most recent nuclear progress claims

Iran made a show yesterday of the loading of domestically produced fuel rods and installment of new centrifuges. Israel and the US see the moves as bravado.
Iran's good cop, bad cop act: agrees to talks, flaunts nuclear advances

Iran has agreed to return to talks about its nuclear program. But it also trumpeted advances in that nuclear program, showing that it wants to bargain from a position of strength.