A Daily Briefing on Iran: Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 5.17.2006:

EU considers giving Iran a nuclear reactor.

Yahoo News reported that European nations are considering adding a light-water reactor to a package of incentives meant to persuade Tehran to give up uranium enrichment.

China approves of the idea.

The New York Times reported that China said it supported European efforts to create a new package of incentives for Iran as a way of resolving the standoff over its nuclear program. The report added that Europe would not offer Iran security guarantees against potential threats by its neighbors.

The CIA's history of over estimating the time needed to become a nuclear power.

James S. Robbins, National Review Online reminds us of the failings of the CIA to accurately predict the time required for Russia, China, India, and Pakistan to become a nuclear power.

Chavez considering selling his F-16 fighter jets to Iran.

Breitbart.com reported that Venezuela is considering selling its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Iran.

Iranian opposition protests Shirin Ebadi at UCLA.

ASUCLA Student Media reported that Shirin Ebadi at UCLA was met with as much opposition Monday night. The 2003 Nobel Peace laureate came to UCLA to speak of her new book, but several protesters interrupted her speech claiming Ebadi is a spy for the Iranian regime.

Four ideas on how to deal with Iran, without firing a shot.

The Wall Street Journal suggested four things the Bush administration can do to alter Iran's calculations in their bid to develop nuclear weapons. A must read.

The State Department sends "a message to Iran" via Libya.

The Age reported that Senior US officials have acknowledged that the move to restore full diplomatic ties with Libya is aimed in part at influencing Iran to give up uranium enrichment.
Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that when America and Libya come to reopen their embassies in Washington and Tripoli, Arab democrats will be demoralized and the families of those killed by acts of Libyan terror will be disgusted.

Iran's Oil Bourse to start in July.

UPI reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that starting in July Iran will abandon dollar payments for its oil and natural gas exports in favor of euros.

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

Henry A. Kissinger, The Washington Post says it is time for the US to define its Iran strategy.
The Wall Street Journal reported that central Asia, site of the 19th-century "Great Game" for supremacy between the British Empire and czarist Russia, is emerging with its oil and gas riches as the first strategic battleground of the "Multipolar Era" among the U.S., China. Moscow and Iran.
Mail & Guardian reported that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out at world media coverage of the Islamic republic's nuclear program.
Amir Taheri, The NY Post discussed the cost to the Iranians for its 29 year war with the US. The U.S. is now four times richer, in constant dollars, than it was in 1979. Iran, however, is almost 50 percent poorer.