ALERT

IRAN NUCLEAR TALKS RESUME IN MOSCOW
by joelcrosenberg

"Talks on Iran’s nuclear ambitions resumed in Moscow on Monday, with a significant gap looming between the two sides’ positions as painful new sanctions are set to come into effect to further isolate Tehran from world oil and banking markets," reports the New York Times. "Three hours after the talks began, a report on state-controlled Iranian television said that Iran will not consider curtailing enrichment of uranium to 20 percent — a key goal for international mediators — unless the major powers acknowledge that Tehran has the right to enrich uranium and lifts sanctions...." [To read the full story, please click here]

RUSSIA SENDS NAVAL FORCES TO SYRIA
by joelcrosenberg

AP reports: "Two Russian navy ships are completing preparations to sail to Syria with a unit of marines on a mission to protect Russian citizens and the nation’s base there, a news report said Monday. The deployment appears to reflect Moscow’s growing concern about Syrian President Bashar Assad’s future....Tartus is Russia’s only naval base outside the former Soviet Union, serving Russian navy ships on missions to the Mediterranean and hosting an unspecified number of military personnel....Syria is Russia’s last remaining ally in the Middle East, and has been a major customer of Soviet and Russian weapons industries for the last four decades, acquiring billions of dollars worth of combat jets, helicopters, missiles, armored vehicles and other military gear. Russia has shielded Assad’s regime from international sanctions over its violent crackdown on protests. Moscow also has continued to provide Syria with arms despite Western calls for a halt in supplies. Opposition groups say more than 14,000 people have been killed since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011 with mostly peaceful protests against President Bashar Assad’s autocratic regime. But a ferocious government crackdown led many to take up arms, and the conflict is now an armed insurgency...." [To read full story, please click here]

MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD WINS PRESIDENCY IN EGYPT
by joelcrosenberg

"Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi claimed victory on Monday in Egypt's divisive race for the top job, as a military power grab overshadowed the country's first post-Mubarak presidential election," reports Agence France Presse. "Two generals from the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF), however, reiterated that the ruling body will transfer power to the new president by June 30 and insisted that he will enjoy full presidential powers. A confirmed win by Mursi would mark the first time Islamists have taken the presidency of the Arab World's most populous nation, but moves by the military appeared to have have rendered the post toothless and were slammed by activists as a coup...." [To read full story, please click here]