CHINA

“Li Keqiang: China economy at crucial stage,” BBC, September 11, 2013.

China’s Premier defended the country’s lowest growth rate in two decades at the World Economic Forum, saying China’s economic growth could not be sustained “without structural transformation and upgrading.” Some see the shrunken rate as an indication of China’s stabilizing growth.

RUSSIA

“Putin Scores on Syria,” Foreign Affairs, September 11, 2013.

Obama has met Putin’s proposal that Syria give up its chemical weapons with a change of plans. In an apparent response to Putin’s pitch, Obama requested that Congress delay its vote on a targeted strike against Assad’s government. “The question now is whether the United States and its allies can out-maneuver Putin to regain the diplomatic advantage.”  

“A Plea for Caution from Russia,” New York Times, September 11, 2013. In a New York Times Op-Ed, President Putin cautions the U.S. against unleashing a military strike on Syria. Putin claims that the chemical attack in question was perpetrated by Syrian rebels, not by Assad’s government, and warns the U.S. against defying international opinion and the possibly regionally destabilizing consequences of a military strike on Syria.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

“Satellite image suggests North Korea has restarted Yongbyon nuclear reactor: U.S. group,” Reuters, September 12, 2013.

A satellite image from August 31 shows a plutonium production reactor in Yongbyon venting steam, suggesting that North Korea has resumed its nuclear program in spite of its commitment to a 2005 aid-for disarmament agreement with its neighbors and the U.S. This represents a serious development following the country’s highly-publicized nuclear weapons test earlier this year.

“Iran says to work closely with UN nuclear watchdog,” Reuters, September 12, 2013. 

Iran’s new government is touting a “more flexible approach” to its nuclear program. The country’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, has promised increased transparency and negotiability on the subject of Iran’s nuclear program in his upcoming meetings with foreign ministers at the UN General Assembly in New York this month. 

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Compiled by Julia Ghahramani.