Syria, Afghanistan battle for IAEA influence

The battle for a key position within the UN nuclear monitoring agency is down to a choice between Syria and Afghanistan. The two nations were the only remaining contenders for their region's nomination for a board position Wednesday after Kazakhstan and Iran dropped out on the sidelines of the IAEA's 145-nation general conference. At issue is a seat on the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-member board. The board is the IAEA's decision-making organization, and membership on it gives nations a voice in shaping IAEA policy and actions, including probes of nations suspected of breaching their nonproliferation commitments.