World Press on Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus (November 9, 2011)

The Washington Post reported that for Iranian envoys at an Asian affairs summit this week in Russia, it was the ultimate dream team: The Russian prime minister and China’s premier standing shoulder to shoulder and promising to keep Western influence at bay. Iran’s leaders are now counting on the country’s two most powerful friends to remain by their side after the release of a U.N. report suggesting that Tehran could be on the brink of having the capability to develop an atomic weapon. The choices for Moscow and Beijing could become even more complicated after the release of the report by the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency. Blocking possible attempts for tougher sanctions could help safeguard diplomatic and commercial interests — particularly China’s booming trade with Iran — but also may indirectly bolster the case for military action as a last resort, some experts said.

The New York Times published the article headlined “To Stop Iran, Lean On China.” It says that The late September visit to China by David S. Cohen, the Treasury Department’s new under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, included the most explicit warning yet to Beijing that its banks and financial institutions could face sanctions if they continued to do business with Iranian entities. The move is significant. More than a year ago, President Obama signed into law a series of sweeping sanctions cumulatively aimed at throttling Iran’s energy sector. Yet so far, China has mostly gotten a pass on its engagement with Iran.

The Turkish information agency Hurriyet reported that Israeli threats to attack Iran over its nuclear program constitute “extremely dangerous rhetoric” that could result in a “catastrophe,” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned yesterday as world powers moved to promote a diplomatic solution to the issue. Also yesterday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said that while Beijing was firmly opposed to any use of force, “the Iranian side should also show flexibility and sincerity. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak played down yesterday speculation that Israel intended to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, saying no decision had been made on embarking on a military operation.

“PKK hacks Ministry of Finance website” is an article published by the same information agency. It says that the Turkish Ministry of Finance has said their official website was hacked late last night by members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for "purposes of dirty propaganda." The ministry deactivated the website soon after, assuring citizens that it would be back online as soon as possible. Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek further said an investigation has been launched to find those responsible.