[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/09/art.amanpour.writer.jpg caption="Sr. Writer Tom Evans"]
On AMANPOUR. today, we are focusing on an interesting sidebar to the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. World famous artist and architect, Maya Lin, is launching what will become her last memorial – “What is Missing?” It is multi-media work dedicated to raising awareness about endangered and extinct species. AMANPOUR speaks to her about why she is dedicating the rest of her life to documenting what she says will be the 6th mass extinction in the earth’s history – the first to be caused by the actions of a single species – humankind – if climate change continues. There are plenty of other interesting stories to tell you about today as well. Here are some perspectives on those.
Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
IRAN – How close is the world to imposing new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program?
– U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates predicts “significant” new sanctions against Iran
– Comment came one day after U.S., Britain, France warned Tehran it could face tougher measures
– Western powers believe Iran trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge it denies
– Unclear though if Russia and China, both permanent members of U.N. Security Council, will support any additional sanctions against Iran
QUESTION: What will the West do if Tehran continues its nuclear defiance and Russia and China refuse to support any additional sanctions against Tehran?
N. KOREA – What are the chances that the six country nuclear talks will resume?
– Pyongyang says it is willing to work with the U.S. to address unresolved differences
– It was N. Korea’s first reaction after visit by U.S. envoy Stephen Bosworth to North Korea this week
– N. Korea says it understands need to resume the six country nuclear talks it called “dead” earlier this year
– Pyongyang’s reaction raises hopes stalled negotiations might begin again
QUESTION: What if anything does North Korea want in exchange for returning to the six nation talks?
MYANMAR – Will international pressure on Myanmar convince military junta to release pro-democracy leader Aung Sann Suu Kyi?
– More than 400 lawmakers from around the world urge U.N. to investigate Myanmar’s military junta for allegedly committing crimes against humanity
– Lawmakers from 29 countries also call for global arms embargo against the regime
– President Obama praised Suu Kyi in his Oslo speech. She has been detained for 14 of the past 20 years
– Myanmar government this week called Suu Kyi “dishonest”, dashing hopes a breakthrough in the showdown over her detention is imminent
QUESTION: Does international pressure on the Myanmar regime make it more likely or less likely that the junta will reach an agreement with Suu Kyi ahead of scheduled elections next year?