Iran Test-Fires Ballistic Missile, Latest After Nuclear Deal

Iran test-fired another ballistic missile, the latest in a spate of tests following the implementation of the nuclear deal with world powers earlier this year, according to a report Monday by the country's semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The test-firing of the missile was carried out two weeks ago, the agency quoted Gen. Ali Abdollahi, deputy chief of the armed forces' headquarters, as saying. Tasnim is close to the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard, which is in charge of Iranian ballistic missiles program.

The agency said the missile has a range of 2,000 kilometers, or 1,250 miles — enough to reach much of the Middle East. Iranian military commanders have described them as a strategic asset and a strong deterrent, capable of hitting U.S. bases or Israel in the event of a strike on Iran.

Iran insists the ballistic tests do not violate the nuclear deal and is likely seeking to demonstrate it is making progress with its ballistic program, despite scaling back on the nuclear program following the deal that led to the lifting of international sanction on Tehran.

Abdollahi said the latest missile tested is very accurate, within 8 meters (yards). "Eight meters means nothing, it means it's without any error," he said. He did not elaborate.

Last month, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, chief of the Guard's airspace division, said a new, upgraded version of the Sajjil — a solid fuel high-speed missile with a range of 1,200 miles that was first tested in 2008 — would soon be ready.

But it was not immediately clear if the missile Abdollahi referred to was the new Sajjil.

In March, Iran test-fired two ballistic missiles — one emblazoned with the phrase "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew — that set off an international outcry.

The landmark deal does not include provisions against missile launches and when it came into effect on Jan. 16, the Security Council lifted most U.N. sanctions against Tehran, including a ban it had imposed in 2010 on Iran testing missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

To deal with the restrictions in the nuclear agreement, the council adopted a resolution last July, which only "calls on" Iran not to carry out such tests.

Karimi, Nasser. "Iran Test-Fires Ballistic Missile, Latest After Nuclear Deal." 9 May, 2016. abcNews. 9 May, 2016. <http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-test-fires-ballistic-missile-latest-nuclear-deal-38976033>. 

Response: The article presents the recent test-fires of ballistic missiles in Iran. The firing of ballistic missiles causes conflict since Iran has agreed to the "nuclear deal with the world powers." Iran persists that the ballistic missiles are simply to show that the ballistic program is making progress. This happened last March as well when Iran fired 2 ballistic missiles, with one showing the words "Israel must be wiped out" in Hebrew. Obviously this act resulted in international "outcry." Although the article presents little bias in that it clearly shows actual facts, it does hint at the idea that the test-fires of ballistic missiles can't really be seen as something that is purely for seeing Iran's improvement in their technology. The phrase such as written above (Israel must be wiped out) shows Iran's clear intentions for the test-fires. Even though this may be taking it too far, where nothing has actually happened, the threat that was presented by the ballistic missile should light up a hint of caution. 

North Korea  Congress Party to Establish Era of Kim Jong Un

North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party will on Friday open its biggest meeting in more than three decades, with the focus on the course Kim Jong Un will chart for the isolated nation.

The Kim family has used party congresses -- the last was held in 1980 -- to consolidate its grip on power and announce long-term economic plans. This year’s gathering comes on the heels of a slew of missile launches, the nation’s fourth nuclear test, and a threat by Kim to detonate another nuclear bomb as he seeks to build weapons capable of striking the U.S. The congress is expected to last several days.

Here are five things to look out for at the meeting:

Nuclear Legacy

Since taking over in 2011, Kim has striven to improve North Korea’s nuclear arms program as he seeks to extend the nuclear legacy left by his father Kim Jong Il. In January, the nation detonated a device it claimed was its first hydrogen bomb. Having enshrined the country’s nuclear ambitions in the constitution in 2012, Kim may use the congress to further elevate his country’s profile as a nuclear-armed state.

New Generation

The meeting offers Kim a chance to usher in a new generation of elite officials to replace some of the old guard who underpinned his father’s rule. He’s already carried out a series of high-profile purges to that effect, including the execution of his uncle and one-time deputy Jang Song Thaek to strengthen his grip on power.

“Who goes up and who gets appointments and promotions, if there’s some kind of power shift to a younger, either technocratic or entrepreneurial elite -- that’s the kind of thing to look for,” says John Delury, a historian at Yonsei University in Seoul.

Economic Vision

Food production and private enterprises have grown under Kim, even as disparitieshave widened. Malnutrition remains widespread among the 25-million population despite Kim’s 2012 pledge to never let his people “tighten their belts again.” The congress gives him the opportunity to review his market-oriented reforms and set out a new direction.

Olive Branch

Having ratcheted up tensions with a nuclear test and ballistic missile launches, Kim may use the convention to make proposals for talks with other nations. At the 1980 congress, North Korea proposed uniting the Korean peninsula in the form of a confederation. However, the nation’s insistence on nuclear arms as a non-negotiable condition may block the way to any diplomatic rapprochement.

Kang Jun Young, a professor of Chinese affairs at Seoul’s Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, says that China -- North Korea’s main ally and by far its biggest trading partner -- is interested in seeing what changes come out of the meeting and how it could use them as a way to engage Pyongyang. But, he adds, another nuclear test would only push China to stiffen its hard-line stance against the regime.

Party Control

The Workers’ Party saw its power weaken under Kim Jong Il, who exercised his authority through the National Defense Commission and agencies that functioned outside the boundaries of the party. His son wants to renew the influence of the party as a crutch to sustain his power.

Kim Jong Un “has cemented his rule, shown progress in nuclear missile development and made economic reforms in his four years in power,” says Koh Yu Hwan, a North Korea professor at Dongguk University in Seoul. “The meeting is a moment to tout that progress and declare the start of the ‘Kim Jong Un’ era.”

Kim, Sam. "North Korea Congress to Establish Era of Kim Jong Un." 3 May, 2016. Bloomberg. 3 May, 2016. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-02/apple-s-losing-streak-is-nearing-historic-levels>.

Comment:

The article presents ideas about North Korea. The article is bias in that there aren't much text from the side of North Korea, but this is understandable in that North Korea is a highly isolated country and no one really knows much about it. I agree with the author that the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un has been trying to get a bigger grip of power in North Korea after getting it from his father, Kim Jong Il. Also, the relation between North Korea and China will be interesting since it could change so much with North Korea's actions, such as launching nuclear bombs. But the author also suggests that Kim  "may use the convention to make proposals for talks with other nations," although this would be hard if North Korea keeps insisting to keep their nuclear weapons. The author's main purpose seems to be to inform people about the possibilities of North Korea, which is a very mysterious country due to its isolation. I personally think that the article has a good summary of things from the past and current issues and that what North Korea does from now on could change many things in the world as of relations to Asian countries.