Morning Brief, Tuesday, October 3

Kim Jong Il finally loses it, decides to test a nuke. From the official North Korean statement:

A people without reliable war deterrent are bound to meet a tragic death and the sovereignty of their country is bound to be wantonly infringed upon. This is a bitter lesson taught by the bloodshed resulting from the law of the jungle in different parts of the world. 

At least Ahmadinejad talks about a right to different forms of energy. Kim can’t see past the “law of the jungle.” Japan and South Korea are understandably upset. They are well within missile range.

Iran’s nuclear program

While Kim is busy destabalizing the balance of power in East Asia, Iran proposes that it partner with France in order to continue enriching uranium. France distances itself from the suggestion. 

Russia-Georgia crisis

Even though Georgia has released without conditions four suspected spies, Russia continues its suspension of – get this – all air, sea, rail, road, and postal links with the country. Talk about pressure.

Elsewhere

Iraqi PM Maliki announces a new neighborhood security plan and new restrictions on media in an attempt to try to stem the terrible sectarian violence. 

Militants linked to Fatah threaten to kill Hamas lawmakers. 

The Brits balk at a U.S. proposal to return nine Brits held at Gitmo – largely because U.S. authorities want the nine men followed 24 hours a day indefinitely. 

Shashi Tharoor pulls out of the race to succeed Kofi Annan. Joe Stiglitz on how to fix the global economy: cut U.S. spending and raise taxes on the rich. Contested election results in Zambia. Bush holds long meeting with Turkish PM Erdogan, backs Turkey’s entry to EU. And how do they celebrate Yom Kippur in Baghdad? Take a wild guess.