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John Irish
Japan Times
WORLD
May 21, 2023
Jeddah, sleep and a French plane: How Zelenskyy reached Japan's G7
According to French officials, the idea of bringing the Ukrainian leader to the G7 had been in the works for several weeks.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
May 8, 2023
Smoldering Iran nuclear crisis risks catching fire
A renewed crisis over Iran would come at a bad time for the U.S., which is focused on maintaining allies' support for the war in Ukraine and on rallying countries to push back on China.
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Oct 19, 2022
Putin is safe in power for now, but risks lie ahead, current and former officials say
Russian leader's grip on power remains firm despite military setbacks in Ukraine, a botched mobilization and political infighting, eight well-informed sources say.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Jun 13, 2022
What next? Ukraine's allies divided over Russia endgame.
Three months into the war, cracks are emerging in the international alliance that swiftly rallied around Kyiv after Moscow's invasion.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Apr 13, 2022
Eyeing win, inflation debate gives Marine Le Pen chance to lay Russia ghosts to rest
In a rural town south of Paris, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen delivered a simple message to local farmers: Russia's war in Ukraine means the price of feed, fertilizer and staple goods will keep rising unless the French government acts.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Nov 19, 2021
Unspoken U.S. aim at Iran nuclear talks may be winning Chinese and Russian support
One way to pressure Iran to rejoin the original pact or accept another arrangement would be to persuade Beijing and Moscow that Tehran, not Washington, is the obstacle, diplomats said.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 12, 2021
Wielding fresh leverage, Iran to play hardball at nuclear talks
The stakes are high, since failure to revive the 2015 nuclear deal would carry the risk of a fresh regional war.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Sep 30, 2021
In post-Merkel EU, Macron can't exert leadership without allies
Macron's abrasive style and willingness to go it alone indicate he'll struggle to fill Merkel's EU shoes, say senior diplomats.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jun 22, 2021
Iran vote points to hard-line goal of long-term power
Recent election results effectively bring all arms of the state under the control of hardliners suspicious of the West, analysts and officials say.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 3, 2020
U.N. nuclear watchdog plans alert on Iranian stonewalling-diplomats
The U.N. atomic watchdog policing Iran's nuclear deal with major powers plans to issue an imminent rebuke to Tehran for failing to provide access to one or more sites that are of interest to it, several diplomats who follow the agency said on Monday.
Japan Times
WORLD / ANALYSIS
Nov 13, 2019
European concerns could spell end of Iran nuclear deal and new U.N. sanctions
Europe's threat to trigger a mechanism that could reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran marks a significant breakdown in diplomacy to try to save the 2015 nuclear deal and could presage its death knell, diplomats say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Mar 20, 2019
Don't take this North Korea guidebook with you, warns publisher
A French publisher has produced a rare guide to North Korea, highlighting its history, cultural wealth and beautiful landscapes but advising tourists not to take the politically sensitive book with them.

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A boom for business tourism in Japan?