ASEAN not happy with China Free Trade Zone; U.S. cyber-attacks traced back to Chinese colleges

YEMEN INCHES TOWARD PEACE; WITH AN EYE ON IRAN, ISRAELI UNVEILS NEW DRONE; U.S. REAFFIRMS CENTRAL ASIA TIES; AKP STEPS UP BATTLE AGAINST MILITARY IN TURKEY

HK democrats resign, press for referendum; Chinese GPS rival Beidou gets third satellite

What can the Obama administration do about Iran's drive to develop nuclear weapons?

The president's informal year-end deadline for a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear impasse with Iran has come and gone. Iran recently announced that it plans to build 10 nuclear fuel plants and has moved to enrich uranium to a higher level than necessary for peaceful purposes. As a result, the center of gravity within Washington policy circles is moving toward punitive measures against the Islamic Republic in the hope of curtailing its persistent nuclear ambitions.

Yet in order for the tougher measures it contemplates to be effective, the White House will need to know a lot more about the Iranian program than appears to be the case currently. A comprehensive reevaluation of what we know about Iran's atomic drive -- and what it means -- is in order.

YEMEN HEADED FOR ECONOMIC DISASTER...; WHILE WASHINGTON MOVES AGAINST AQAP; COMMISSION UPENDS IRAQI POLITICS; CENTRAL ASIAN YOUTH SEEK MADRASSAS ABROAD

KARACHI MOVES INTO TALIBAN CROSSHAIRS; VIOLENCE RETURNS TO KASHMIR; IN NEPAL, MAOISTS PUSH THE ENVELOPE; AFGHAN INTEL FAILURES EXPOSED

LeT alive and kicking; India and Russia come to terms on aircraft carrier; Nepal inching toward crisis; Quadrilateral security for Asia... sort of

Riyadh and Tehran take sides in Yemen civil war; Hezbollah has a new military strategy...; ...and a new political one

Iran's Basijis get younger; IRGC takes control of intelligence...; ...and plans anti-PSYOP commands; Shoring up Khamenei's supremacy; Thumbing their nose at gasoline sanctions

Beijing rooting out Triad connections within the party; Unrest still brewing in Xinjiang