1. Iran Closer to Nuclear Weapons. Iran rejected a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) suggesting that it was close to acquiring military-grade nuclear technology. The report triggered a strong response from Western leaders, who called for harsher sanctions against Iran. Israel even suggested that it is prepared to attack possible nuclear facilities in Iran if necessary to derail the Iranian nuclear program. After the report, there were several explosions at Iranian military facilities, which may or may not be related to their nuclear program. Iran has always maintained that its nuclear program was for peaceful purposes, but refuses to allow international inspectors into the country to determine if this is true. (Source: BBC)
2. Syrian Defectors Attack Military Base. A group of defectors from the Syrian military, calling themselves the Free Syrian Army, attacked a military base loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, killing eight loyalist soldiers. The attack signals a potential escalation of violence in Syria, where 3,500 people have already been killed in anti-government protests. Until this point, actions against the government have been peaceful, but the growing number of defectors and the many months without any signs of an end to the crackdown could push demonstrators to resort to more violent means to overthrow the government of President Assad. (Source: CNN)
3. Brazilian Military Occupies Slums, Arrests Drug Kingpins. Brazilian military forces and elite police units occupied Rocinha, the largest slum in Rio de Janeiro, on Nov. 13. Prior to the raid, the slum was largely under the control of gang members who control Brazilian drug trade and production. Brazilian law enforcement officials say that they have struck a major blow against drug traffickers, and have made the slum safer. The crackdown comes as Brazil prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Rio de Janeiro will also host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Questions have been raised about Brazil’s ability to provide security with rampant crime in the nation’s slums. (Source: The Guardian)
4. U.S. Will Station up to 2,500 Additional Marines in Australia. President Barack Obama visited Australia to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Australia-New Zealand-U.S. (ANZUS) military alliance and announced that up to 2,500 Marines would be stationed in Australia. There are currently under 200 U.S. service members already stationed in Australia. The announcement is seen as an effort by the U.S. to counter the rapidly growing influence of China in the Asia-Pacific region. The deployment will be the largest of its kind to an ANZUS member-state since World War II. Australians are concerned that the presence of American military forces in their country might make Australia a target of a Chinese economic or military response. (Source: BBC)
5. U.S. Hosts APEC Summit in Hawaii. Members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation met in Honolulu to discuss trade in the region. President Barack Obama took the opportunity to state his commitment to having American-made goods sold in Asian markets. He also criticized the Chinese for leaving its competitors at an economic disadvantage by artificially devaluing its currency and refusing to protect intellectual property rights. China’s rising economic influence, coupled with its expanding military capabilities and foreign policy agenda, has put it on track to become a global superpower, with some analysts saying that China can already be termed as such. (Source: CNN)
