Nuclear

After thirty years of no new nuclear construction, two projects are underway in the south, as some argue this carbon-emission free energy source is vital…

More than twenty years after the end of the Cold War, the nuclear solution continues its powerful grip on geopolitics. From North Korea’s confrontational…

Energy is big business and a big issue inextricably linked to politics. Rising gas prices and huge natural gas and oil finds in the U.S. thrust energy…

Turkey is closely aligned with the West, but it also depends on Iran to meet the energy demands of its growing economy. The relationship between Turkey and Iran has shown signs of strain over Syria, where Iran strongly supports the government, and Turkey wants regime change.

Iran meets the U.S. and other countries this weekend to discuss its controversial nuclear program. In the past, such talks have been fruitless. But analysts say this time might be different, because Iran's economy is under severe pressure as the result of the toughest sanctions the country has yet faced.

North Korea is preparing to launch a satellite to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the country's founder. But the international community has condemned the move as an attempt to test the country's long-range missile capability.

New, tougher sanctions on Iran and its banking sector appear to be making it difficult for Tehran to carry out international transactions, while forcing ordinary Iranians into activities such as smuggling hard currency out. But India and China are still doing business with Iran.

Israel's former intelligence chief says Iran does not pose an existential threat, and while U.S. intelligence officials do not believe Iran intends to build a bomb the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog says Iran has accelerated its uranium enrichment program. Facing tough sanctions, Iran's leaders have agreed to resume direct talks on the country's nuclear program while the drumbeats of war continue.

President Obama said he prefers diplomacy and pressure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The Israeli leader made clear his country reserves the right for a pre-emptive attack, saying Israel must remain master of its fate.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran is still not providing enough cooperation with inspectors. The agency has tried twice to visit one particular Iranian military base and has been rebuffed.