Sunday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 1.15.2005:

The Permanent 5 will meet Monday on Iran.

• Sunday Times reported that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany will hold talks in London on Monday to plan a pivotal meeting on the Iran nuclear crisis.
• RIA Novosti discusses the Russian expectations of the Permanent 5 meeting.

Ahmadinejad Stands Firm.

• CNN News reported that Ahmadinejad continued to insist on Iran's right to Nuclear Research.

Special Reports on Iran.

• EU Business reported that European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said: A military strike against Iran for its refusal to halt nuclear research is ruled out.
• The Economist in a special report asked: Now that Iran is crossing a clear red line, what can the world do? What should we do?
• The Economist published a special report on the psychology of the Iranian leaders.
• The Economist published a report warning us that Iran is often portrayed as dangerous, irrational and unpredictable. In truth, it is not irrational.
• Anton La Guardia, Telegraph argues that Ahmadinejad thinks "he is on a mission for God."
• Charles Moore, Telegraph reported that there's method in the Mahdi madness of Iran's president.

Off the Radar Screen.

• Kuwait News Agency reported that US Vice-President Dick Cheney is due to have a round of talks with Egyptian leaders starting Monday on the Iranian nuclear problem.
• India Defence reported that Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz will visit with Indian leaders on vital issues concerning Iran's WMD program.
• Los Angeles Times published a satellite photo which shows activity at Iran's nuclear plant.
• William Kristol, The Weekly Standard reported that many people-the New York Times editorial board, much of Europe, even some in the Bush administration-don't really believe a nuclear Iran is unacceptable.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• BBC News spoke to two young Iranians with opposing views on the nuclear issue.
• James Lewis, The American Thinker argued that Amir Taheri is underestimating the Iranian threat.
• And finally, AlterNet reported on Iran and blogging against the regime.