Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Headlines for 10-30-07

Russian FM in surprise Iran trip


Russia FM blasts US over Iran sanctions Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticised United States sanctions against Iran as "not helpful" after meeting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on Tuesday.


Iranian general warns of Gulf suicide bombings ** Iranian military and political leaders have vowed never to initiate an attack but have also warned of a crushing response to any strike against its territory.


US downplays talk of Iran attack ** Cat's out of the bag.


Who's Behind the PKK? The Israeli factor is yet another angle to this story: Seymour Hersh also reported that the Israelis have taken out a rather large stake in Kurdistan, not only investing in several major business operations but also involving themselves in the training of Kurdish "commandos." Could some of these commandos possibly be PKK operatives


Bomb Iran, majority of Americans says in new poll ** The neocon propaganda blitz in the mainstream media worked (again).


China, Israel disagree on Iran Talks between China and Israel on a nuclear Iran ended in a stalemate.


Revealed: how Blair rejected Bush's offer to stay


Attacking Iran for Israel? ** The Israelis appear convinced they have extracted a promise from Bush and Cheney that they will help Israel nip Iran?s nuclear program in the bud before they leave office. Ray McGovern = former CIA official.


Stalin, Mao And ? Ahmadinejad? The American discussion about Iran has lost all connection to reality. Norman Podhoretz, the neoconservative ideologist whom Bush has consulted on this topic, has written that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is "like Hitler ? a revolutionary whose objective is to overturn the going international system and to replace it in the fullness of time with a new order dominated by Iran and ruled by the religio-political culture of Islamofascism." For this staggering proposition Podhoretz provides not a scintilla of evidence.


Hariri: 'Evidence of fresh plot'


Israel holds war game The exercise originally was to have taken place on the Golan Heights but was relocated for fear of worrying Syria, which has been bracing for a possible war with Israel.


Middle East expert or Islamophobe? FAU speaker generates protests Critics say Pipes, considered an ally to Israel, has demonized Muslims.
"He uses the word 'terrorist' for anyone who disagrees with his position on Israel," Pipes = neocon extraordinaire.


FM: World must halt Iran nukes regardless of economic interest ** Even if it had the bomb, Iran would never be dumb enough to strike Israel. This matter is entirely about having the upper hand in the area - and Israel seeks to retain that edge, no matter the cost in American blood and treasure, because it sure the hell isn't Israel fighting in Iraq, and it won't be Israel that attacks Iran. Whose war is this?


Seizure of terror suspect funds questioned "The fact that they couldn't get a single conviction suggests that we need to rethink the process by which (Holy Land) was shut down," David Cole, a law professor at Georgetown University told the Monitor. "They were able to close it down, freeze its assets ... ultimately on the basis of secret evidence."



Amnesty International Calls for Inquiry into Reports of Looting and Abuses at Palestinian Refugee Camp in Lebanon Amnesty International submitted a letter to Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora calling for an urgent investigation into reports of looting, arson and vandalism of homes and property inside Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp since the Lebanese army regained control of the camp in September, and into continuing reports of harassment and abuse of Palestinian refugees by Lebanese army soldiers.


India to contribute 600,000 USD for rehabilitation of Palestinian refugee in Lebanon Indian today announced its decision to contribute 600,000 dollars for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Palestinian refugee camps in Northern Lebanon.


McCain to Jewish leaders: Peace in Israel requires U.S. win in Iraq

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Headlines for 10-29-07

Secret move to upgrade air base for Iran attack plans ** The US is secretly upgrading special stealth bomber hangars on the British island protectorate of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean in preparation for strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, according to military sources.


US differs with UN nuclear chief on Iran Naturally.


IAEA findings on Iran dismissed


Two VA hospitals forced to turn away patients Two Tampa Bay veterans hospitals turn away critically ill patients for huge chunks of the year because of an overloaded veterans? health care system.


Top UN nuclear official in Iran for talks


Senators refuse to rule out Iran attack ** Appearing on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said, "A military engagement with Iran is a very dangerous thing, and nobody wants to go down that road."


Rumsfeld Charged with Torture in French Court Donald Rumsfeld, the former U.S. secretary of defense, is facing criminal charges in France for ordering the torture of prisoners in Iraq and at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay.


Iran Sanctions, Bush Administration Rhetoric Worries Lawmakers


Bush Budget Plans for Iran Attack ** An item buried in President Bush?s latest request for $190 billion in emergency war funding offers telling evidence that the U.S. could be preparing an attack on Iran.


The Fruitcake Trade During his stay in the US, the Kadima minister has also been active in helping to lay the groundwork for the upcoming Annapolis summit as well as addressing the annual convention of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs
Committee).


Livni to China: Get tough on Iran


'Mystery' US base causes confusion among Lebanese according to a report in Beirut newspaper As-Safir published last week, Edelman - who during his visit met with Premier Fouad Seniora, Defence Minister Elias Murr and Lebanese Army Commander General Michel Suleiman - not only discussed the Lebanese Army's training and equipment needs but also put forward a draft agreement that would see US naval, air and land bases set up on Lebanese territory. So's we can continue to fight Israel's enemies in the area.


Essen Jews to boycott Kristallnacht ceremony At issue is a flyer that an employee in the city's office for intercultural projects signed and circulated last year in which she called Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert "Adolf Olmert" and used the phrase "Holocaust in Lebanon."


What will happen after Bush? Another context is the continuing erosion of Israel's standing in the United States. This does not manifest itself in public opinion polls and in votes in Congress, but rather in the loss of the "moral horizon," the change that has occurred in the standing of Israel, which used to be regarded as an attractive and just state. A clear expression of this is the recent reception of Jimmy Carter's book and of the book written by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt about the Israeli lobby, which not only expressed criticism of Israel's policy but also questioned its legitimacy. Despite the criticism to which they have been subjected, these books are making waves and their authors are appearing throughout the United States. The "letter of the eight" is another link in this chain. If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.


Inside Israel's Military Courts We have adopted Israel's tactics in many venues, which is where the term 'Palestinian hanging' came from. Their influence is overarching.


The cost of American bellicosity toward Iran Israeli officials have welcomed this American escalation of pressures on Iran, apparently considering it a foreign-policy achievement for Israel, as well as for the formidable array of pro-Israel US pundits who push for a combative policy against Iran.


Israel, IAEA spar "If countries have information that the country is working on a nuclear-related program, they should come to us," ElBaradei told CNN's "Late Edition." "But to bomb first and then ask questions later, I think it undermines the system and it doesn't lead to any solution to any suspicion."


Monday, October 29, 2007

Headlines for 10-28-07

US backing terrorists: Iran Iran has access to evidence of US support for terrorist groups in the Middle East, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying.


AG pick: Constitution does not prevent wiretapping of terrorists President Bush's choice for attorney general told senators Friday the Constitution does not prevent the president from wiretapping suspected terrorists without a court order.


Cheney's Plan for Iran Attack Starts With Israeli Missile Strike **


Buchanan sees attack on Iran ** Former Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan believes the Bush administration will attack Iran before the president leaves office in 2009....."A vote for Rudy becomes a virtual vote for permanent war in the Middle East," he said.


Iraq says Iran agrees PKK crisis can be ended peacefully "Both leaders agreed the activities of the PKK were damaging the interests of Iraq, Turkey and Iran but stressed that military action is not the only option to deal with it. The crisis could be solved peacefully."


Iraq warns Turkey over incursion


No evidence Iran building nukes: UN watchdog chief ** UN atomic watchdog chief Mohamed El Baradei said he had no evidence that Iran is building nuclear weapons and accused US leaders of adding "fuel to the fire" with recent bellicose rhetoric.


Anti-Iran rhetoric raises UN concerns The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said Sunday he had no evidence Iran was working actively to build nuclear weapons and expressed concern that escalating rhetoric from the U.S. could bring disaster.


German FM: Military not the answer in Iran


U.S. Military: Iranian-Made Rockets Hit Base Near Baghdad Making the case for war.


Iran steps up preparations for US war **


UK and US play Iraq 'blame game'


Blair failed to handle Bush on Iraq, claims biographer Mr Powell told Dr Seldon: "In the end Blair would always support the president. I found this very surprising. I never really understood why Blair seemed to be in such harmony with Bush. I thought, well, the Brits haven't been attacked on 9/11. How did he reach the point that he sees Saddam as such a threat? Jack and I would get him all pumped up about an issue. And he'd be ready to say, 'Look here, George'. But as soon as he saw the president he would lose all his steam." Chalk it up to Chimpy Love?...


Iran: 'Tell us where Arad is and we'll get him' "If you have the address where he is being held ? give it to us so we could go and get him," he said in a challenge to Israeli officials who have long said that Iran is involved in the case.


Thousands call for swift end to Iraq war


Israel eyes U.S. missile-killer The United States successfully tested a missile-killer that could be integrated into Israel's strategic defense system.


Olmert courts Turkey over airstrike Israel moved to mollify Turkey over its airstrike in Syria last month.


Protecting Israel is San Antonio pastor John Hagee's mission "What I am organizing now coast to coast is to get every pro-Israel church, every pro-Israel pastor, every pro-Israel para-church organization flowing together under one canopy to speak up for Israel in Washington,"


Syria complains about Israel felling cherry trees on the Golan Heights Syria filed a complaint Friday with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon protesting Israel's chopping down of trees in the occupied Golan Heights to harass farmers, the state-run news agency SANA said.


Age of evidence hurt case on terror funds Andrew McCarthy, a former federal prosecutor who led the 1995 prosecution of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and 11 others for the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, agreed that the decade-long lag makes the government's case less compelling.


IAEA chief lashes out over Israeli raid in Syria Neither Israel nor the United States has furnished "any evidence at all" to prove that the Syrian site bombed in early September was a secret nuclear facility, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency told CNN.


Refugee rappers voice disgust at Lebanon camps "Battalion 5" might conjure up images of the next big computer game, but in Lebanon it's a group of musicians who express the misery of life in Palestinian refugee camps through rap.


Syrian "Nukes"? Not So Fast... (Updated)

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Headlines for 10-27-07

Pressure for Turkish military action grows after talks fail The threat of a Turkish military strike on Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq grew Saturday after crisis talks with an Iraqi delegation failed to satisfy Ankara.



France, Saudi concerned over Iran's nuclear programme: Minister French Defence Minister Herve Morin said Saturday that Saudi Arabia and France share a common "concern" over Iran's nuclear programme


Will Bush really bomb Iran? ** A senior Pentagon source, who remembers the growing drumbeat of war before the invasion of Iraq, believes Bush is preparing for military action before he leaves office in January 2009. ?This is for real now. I think he is signalling he is going to do it,? he said.


Edwards raps Clinton, Romney on Iran ** Edwards, a Democratic former senator, said Clinton made a mistake when she voted recently to declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization because President Bush could use the designation to launch military attacks


Israeli FM to China for Iran sanctions talks Israel has previously described Iran as its principal strategic threat, and earlier this month US President George W. Bush warned of a possible World War III if Tehran acquired nuclear weapons.


Oil Rises to Record Above $91 on Supply Drop, Iran Sanctions


US Military Ignored Evidence of Iraqi-Made EFPs The command, operating under close White House supervision, chose to deny these facts in making the dramatic accusation that became the main rationale for the present aggressive US stance toward Iran.


Perestroika: James Fallows Says "Mainly... Jewish" Faction Pushes for Iran Showdown

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Headlines for 10-26-07

Iran defiant at new US sanctions


US denies being on warpath with Iran ** LOL.


Iran says it's safe from US attack ** Iran's leadership boasts it is safe from U.S. military action, saying Washington knows an attack would find no world support and send oil prices skyrocketing. That confidence is buoying the government in its standoff with the West, despite new sanctions.


UN's Ban "very worried" on Iran's nuclear progress U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is worried about Iran's nuclear program but hopes a stand-off with the international community can be resolved through dialogue, he said in comments published in Italy on Friday.


We must bomb Iran, says US Republican guru ** The tough message at a time of crisis between the United States and Iraq was delivered by Norman Podhoretz, one of the founders of neoconservatism, who has also imparted his stark advice personally to a receptive President George W. Bush.


A Coalition of the Willing on Iran? to the extent that the latest U.S. moves are used to pressure third-country governments, banks and corporations doing business with Iran, they will be perceived as Washington using its muscle in the international financial system to impose its own Iran policy on others. And resentment may not be the only consequence.


Putin warns of 'missile crisis' Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that the situation surrounding proposed US missile defense facilities in Eastern Europe has similarities to the Cuban missile crisis of the 1960s.


Australia, others, to follow U.S. Iran sanctions: Downer Many nations will follow the United States in slapping sanctions on Iran if it fails to suspend its nuclear enrichment program soon, Australia, a strong U.S. ally, said.


US sanctions will have no affect on Iran: Jalili


Iran reformists warn of isolation over nuclear policy Iran's top reformist party on Friday criticised the foreign policy of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying it was bringing the risk of tougher international confrontation over Tehran's nuclear standoff.


Rice downplays differences with Russia over Iran sanctions


Iran courting Arab countries to blunt U.S. hostility The Turkish foreign minister is due in Tehran on Saturday? another coup for Iran as the Bush administration seeks to dissuade Turkey from sending troops into northern Iraq to battle Kurdish militants. In August, Iran began firing artillery into Iraq to counteract what it said were Kurdish rebel groups that had launched attacks in Iran


Interventionism? Isolationism? Actually, Both by Rep. Ron Paul


Phantoms Over Syria by Philip Giraldi The pieces have a common thread: they rely entirely on information provided by Israeli sources without independent corroboration. And the ongoing play they are getting in the international media, without much critical commentary and without direct attribution to Israel, mark them as classic disinformation.


Terror watch list swells to more than 755,000


Palestinians wed in ruins of Lebanon siege camp Surrounded by ruins, a young Palestinian couple on Friday celebrated their wedding in the refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared in northern Lebanon, devastated by more than three months of fighting between the army and Islamists.


Survivors protest at Israel's stance on Armenian genocide This week she joined more than 100 other, rather younger, demonstrators ?about 10 per cent of a once much larger Jerusalem Armenian community dating back to Roman times ? outside the Foreign Ministry. They were protesting against what they believe is the Israeli government's use of its considerable lobbying influence on Capitol Hill to try to thwart the bill which would mean US recognition of the genocide in which 1.5 million Armenians, including Mrs Kevorkian's parents, died.




PresCon, Meridor hail IRGC ban The foreign policy umbrella body for U.S. Jewish groups and the Israeli ambassador to Washington praised the Bush administration for sanctioning an arm of Iran's military.


Experts split as prosecutors consider retrial in Holy Land case Experts are split over whether the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case should be retried, and some say the government must establish stronger links between terrorists and U.S.-based charities before future court victories can be expected....the lone Holy Land juror to speak publicly, has lambasted the government's case as shallow and politically driven.


My Weekend with the Survivors of the USS Liberty


Terrorism policy questioned in NYC hearing on scholar's exclusion Ramadan is a Swiss citizen and a visiting fellow at Oxford University in England. He has said he opposes the U.S. invasion of Iraq and U.S policies in Israel and the Palestinian territories, though he opposes terrorism and Islamic extremism and promotes peaceful solutions.


Spain to extradite Syrian arms dealer suspect to U.S.


Prosecutors Should Stop Wasting Money on This Witch Hunts In essence, this was an Israeli trial tried on American soil in which guilt by association was used as a substitute for actual evidence.

Friday, October 26, 2007

Headlines for 10-25-07

US imposes new sanctions on Iran ** The US declared the Revolutionary Guards a "proliferator of weapons of mass destruction", a reference to ballistic missiles they are allegedly developing, while their elite overseas operations arm, the Quds Force, was singled out as a "supporter of terrorism". The opening shot has just been fired, folks.


Putin warns against more Iran sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin warned strongly Thursday against imposing new international sanctions on Iran, in words that appeared to be a response to newly announced U.S. measures to punish Tehran.


Bush heads for a dreadful miscalculation over Iran


Edwards raps Clinton, Romney on Iran Republican candidate Mitt Romney said he would consider a military blockade or "bombardment of some kind" to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon.


Olmert: No peace deal at Annapolis Strange that this comes on the day that the US government does this.


How Did We Get Here?


Members Take up Issue of Permanent Sovereignty Over Natural Resources in Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syrian Golan


US to speed up stealth fighter delivery to Israel "We asked that for every two jets manufactured for the US, one be manufactured for Israel," a senior defense official said, adding that acquisition of the aircraft would greatly increase Israel's deterrence as Iran races toward nuclear power.


Lebanese troops fire on Israeli planes Lebanese troops today fired on Israeli warplanes flying low over southern Lebanon, security officials in the country said.


Syria 'air strike site removed' The images, though, were far from conclusive.


House aims to curb Iran's sway in West ?Argentines are still waiting for justice, and warrants are out for the arrests of several Iranians and members of Hezbollah.?


Canada presses U.S. to take Arar off no-flight list


Israel reissuing gas masks ** Israel plans to reissue gas masks to its citizens. 3 guesses why.


Syrian official: Mideast peace conference won't tackle major issues in region Syrian Minister of Expatriates Buthaina Sha'aban asserted on Wednesday that a peace conference sponsored by the U.S. administration would not tackle the essential issues in the Arab-Israeli conflicts, the official SANA news agency reported.


More Evidence That Critics of Israel Are Gaining in the U.S.


Medved Takes On Israel's Foes Radio talk show host and Philadelphia native Michael Medved spoke to hundreds at Bala Cynwyd Middle School Tuesday evening to debunk what he considers calumnies against Israel.
Pro-Israelis seem to have embarked on a full out frontal propaganda assault on America. This is probably due to the recent release of the Mearsheimer and Walt book among other things. They cannot seem to grasp the notion that true patriots will win out in the end. The Israel narrative is a house of cards based on myths. Debunk one, and the whole thing comes into question. Unfortunately for us white hats, pro-Israelis have our media sewn up lock, stock and barrel. No matter. Soldier on.


Influence for Israel Indeed, the fact that their book has encountered such outrageous abuse surely vindicates one of their central arguments: that pro-Israel lobby groups are so one-eyed that they toss accusations of anti-Semitism around like balloons at a birthday party.
The point cannot be made too strongly: this is not an anti-Semitic book. It's a work of scholarly analysis, and it deserves to be taken seriously.
An unusually unbiased piece in the Telegraph (UK).


Israel to halt large Golan manoeuvres: reports


Report: Israel to get F-35s early Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has persuaded the Pentagon to supply the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a supersonic stealth jet that is still under construction, to Israel ahead of schedule.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Headlines for 10-24-07

Iraq, Afghan wars could cost US 2.4 trillion: report


Bomb Iran? U.S. Requests Bunker-Buster Bombs ** Tucked inside the White House's $196 billion emergency funding request for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is an item that has some people wondering whether the administration is preparing for military action against Iran. Think gas prices are high now, folks?


'New, constructive ideas' in Iran nuclear talks: negotiator Iran's former nuclear pointman Ali Larijani said Wednesday that "new and constructive ideas" had emerged during talks in Rome on the crisis surrounding Tehran's contested nuclear programme.


Iran "perhaps single greatest" security risk to US: Rice Who says Rice doesn't parrot neocon BS?


Hans Blix questions U.S. fears over Iran


Bush offers to bomb Kurds THE Bush Administration is considering air strikes, including cruise missiles, against the Kurdish rebel group PKK in northern Iraq.


U.S. will cut off Iran's 'malignant' actions Florida Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said the Bush administration appeared to be taking a "slow, deliberative course" on Iran and should designate the entire Revolutionary Guards Corps a terrorist group."Why not put the whole corps on the list?" Ros-Lehtinen asked.
Ros-Lehtinen - one of Israel's top agents on Capitol Hill.


Report: Iran acquiring fighter jets that are based on Israeli technology Iran has signed a deal with China to purchase 24 J-10 fighter jets between 2008 and 2010, Russian news agency Novosti reported. The jets were developed based on the technology of Israel's Lavi fighter jet, whose technology was sold to China against the wishes of the US. Israel gets a taste of its own medicine.


Meridor: We must be ready to preempt threats "This will take a united United States on this matter, that they would not have the illusion today that come January '09, they [Teheran] have it their own way," he said, referring to the inauguration of President George W. Bush's successor, who could potentially change US policy on Iran. Why is ISRAEL'S problem now OUR problem, by their own admission? Their lobby (which includes the neocons) here in the States makes sure that this is the case, that's why.


Turkish raids along Iraqi border Turkish fighter jets have bombed several Kurdish PKK rebel positions on the border with Iraq, according to the semi-official Anatolia news agency.


Oil prices head back toward highs Oil prices headed back toward record highs after an unexpected fall in US stockpiles of crude sparked supply fears ahead of the winter months.


Cheney Lays the Foundation for War ** Is Cheney threatening war against Iran? Yes, that?s exactly what he is doing. As Greg Djerejian reminds us, in the lead-up to the war against Iraq, Cheney gave a number of speeches making clear the intention to resort to arms against Saddam Hussein. And he used exactly the same language, including specifically the key phrase "serious consequences."


Media pundits ask: Should the US bomb Iran now? **


AEI?s Muravchik: 'I Don't Mind If We Bomb Iran Next Month Or The Month After' ** Muravchik added, "I don't mind if we bomb next month or the month after. I think we have to do it sometime in a short time frame." Matthews then suggested that the real reason Muravchik is pushing for war so soon is not because of national security imperatives, but because Bush is the most likely president to follow through We are being neoCONed again. These folks are the single greatest threat to the American national interest in terms of blood and treasure.


Giuliani appears to be front-runner among top GOP Jewish donors "There's not one thing wrong with Rudy Giuliani's position on Israel, but in John McCain's history you can see that support," he said. "I think we're not picking the lesser of evils. I think we're picking the greater of greats."


Israeli premier praises enhanced France-Israel relationship Olmert said "we are reassured of our security" and "something had changed in relations" between France and Israel.



Holy Land trial notes reveal jury in turmoil "Attacks on each other happen often," she wrote. "Opinions, not facts, are discussed. Some are closed to deliberations, which shuts off conversations that are meaningful."
On Monday, four days after handing in a verdict that was then sealed until the presiding judge came back to town, some jurors shocked courtroom observers by then telling the judge that they no longer agreed with what the panel had decided.
Must have been a few pro-Israelis on the jury, from the sounds of it.


CAIR: Giuliani Advisor Supports Terror Group In 2001, Pipes claimed the "presence" and "enfranchisement" of American Muslims present "true dangers to American Jews." He recently renewed a call to "raze" Palestinian villages from which anti-Israeli attacks are launched.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Headlines for 10-23-07

Iran nuclear envoy vows no change Iran's new nuclear negotiator has said his country will continue nuclear discussions "with strength".


U.S. says Iraq air strike kills 11, mostly civilians The U.S. military said it killed 11 people in a helicopter attack on a group of men seen planting a roadside bomb north of Baghdad on Tuesday, but police and residents said the dead were farmers, women and children.


US may delay missile defense system The United States might delay activating its proposed missile defense sites in Europe until it has "definitive proof" of a missile threat from Iran, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.


EU's Solana, Iran's new nuclear pointman have 'constructive' talks Larijani, whose presence at the talks intrigued observers after his sudden resignation at the weekend, told a press briefing: "I thanked Mr Solana for these constructive talks which were clear and transparent."


Biden Says Bush Could Use Iranian Measure to Wage War (Update1) ** Democrat Joe Biden, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said President George W. Bush could use a measure calling the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group as a justification for war.


Bush says Iranian missiles could reach US, all Europe by 2015


Fewer think US adequately thwarting terror ** Sixty-five percent said they preferred economic or diplomatic moves against Iran, compared to 19 percent who favored military action or threats. Looks like Cheney and the neocons (Israel lobby) have their work cut out for them.


Bin Laden calls on Muslims to battle US in Iraq Osama bin Laden has called for intensified fighting against US-led forces in Iraq and made a plea to Muslims in the region to join the battle, in an audio recording posted on the internet.


Seven CIA Veterans Challenge 9/11 Commission Report "Cui bono - Who benefits? - is a question that must ever be asked about Middle Eastern terror." - Patrick J. Buchanan. Who has benefited the most from 9/11? OBL? Neocons? Israel? ....


Tortured by Uncle Sam by Philip Giraldi That attorney general-designate Michael Mukasey, who is almost certain to be confirmed by Congress, claims not to know whether water-boarding amounts to torture or not is outrageous. That the president of the United States has not been challenged by the public and press when he explains that "we do not torture" ? while he refuses to make public secret memos contradicting his words ? marks a sad day for those who revere our liberties.


The GOP Purge They care about one issue and one issue only: war and more war, as far as the eye can see. When they've run the GOP into the ground and reduced it to a mostly regional party, they'll abandon the dried-up husk and emigrate back to where they came from ? the Scoop Jackson wing of the Democratic Party, where they can join Joe Lieberman, Joshua Muravchik, and Hillary Clinton's neoconservative fan club in ginning up a war with Iran.



PM ErdoÄŸan to press Olmert to give up supporting Iraqi Kurds Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan will bring the issue of Israeli experts' training of military forces in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq to the agenda in his talks with his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Olmert, scheduled to take place today in the British capital.


Israel, in policy shift on Iran, is lobbying countries directly In Israel, Bush?s remarks highlighting Iranian threats to destroy the Jewish state sparked heated debate. Many lamented that the U.S. president made it seem as if Israel is the only reason for Iran?s nuclear drive ? perpetuating a false perception Israelis say is not in their national interest.....Likud Knesset member Yuval Steinitz, after meeting this month with U.S. Congress members, senators and senior officials including Vice President Dick Cheney, told JTA the United States may soon present Iran with a military ultimatum Israel is nation behind this bs, and she's taking us along with her (again).


U.S. talking even tougher on Iran, but also pushing Palestinian state ** Israel and the pro-Israel lobby has long counted on Elliott Abrams, President Bush's deputy national security adviser and peace process skeptic who usually has the last word on such issues. Yet it is Abrams and his boss, Stephen Hadley, the national security adviser, who are in Israel this week, precisely to make clear that Bush wants action ahead of Annapolis......Despite such pressures, Israel is getting relief on what it sees as the more pressing issue: Iran. In the Oct. 17 press conference, Bush made it clear how far he had traveled toward Israeli thinking. For the first time, Bush described nuclear know-how -- not just the acquisition of weapons -- as a red line.....Israel says the moment will come when the Iranians know how to build a bomb, which might be as early as next year. Until Bush's comments, the Americans had set Iran's capacity to build a bomb -- within three to ten years -- as the deadline for possible military action. Registration is free. Note the source (horse's mouth). All of this bs about I-P peace is a ruse. Notice how the closer we get to this conference, the more bellicose and fervent the rhetoric of Bush and Cheney about the need to strike Iran.


Israel reassures Turkey over Kurds


Britain backs Israel's call for tougher sanctions on Iran "We are absolutely clear that we are ready and will push for further sanctions against Iran," said Brown after holding talks with his Israeli counterpart in his Downing Street offices.


Incident instilled fear in citizens The USS Liberty incident is just one of a myriad of "operations" throughout U.S. history perpetrated by our government. Mm. I don't know if I agree with that assessment, though I've heard it before.


Paulsen urged to push Iran resolution Making their pleas were U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), chairman of the foreign affairs committee, and member Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.)


Mistrial declared in Muslim charity case The prosecution's key witness was a lawyer for the Israeli domestic security agency Shin Bet who testified under a false name. How many failed terror trials does this make now during which the prosecutor's have relied on the testimony of Israeli secret agents, meownders?


Holy Land principals face retrial


Israeli general: Hezbollah strike is legit Israel reserves the right to launch a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah, a top Israeli general said.


WJC to Austria: Toughen Iran sanctions Austria must toughen sanctions against Iran, the World Jewish Congress head told Austria's chancellor.


Investigative Scholar Says 'Radical Islam' Was Dreamed Up in Israel in the '90s as the 'Glue' to U.S.-Israeli Alliance "There was a feeling in Israel that because of the end of the Cold War, relations with the U.S. were cooling and we needed some new glue for the alliance... And the new glue... was radical Islam. And Iran was radical Islam."


Washington may rethink terror cases after mistrial: experts How much more taxpayer money will be thrown down the toilet based on dubious claims by secret government agents and witchhunts likely egged on by the Israeli lobby, mewonders?


Lebanon's Jumblatt calls on U.S. to impose sanctions on Syria, accuses Hezbollah of political assassinations A senior Lebanese pro-government leader called on the United States on Sunday to impose sanctions against Syria, warning that Lebanon would not enjoy stability and independence as long as Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime was in power.


Photos said to show Israeli target in Syria - paper


Syria to issue ID cards to Golan residents The move aims to "ease the suffering" of the Druze people living on the Golan, caused by "harassment and Israeli human rights violations,"


Mistrial in Muslim charity funding trial deals blow to US ‘war on terror’ Juror William Neal, 33, said the trial fell apart because of a lack of evidence......."I didn't see the defendants giving money to Hamas. They were giving money to the Palestinian people."


Neocons Surge Against Antiwar Movement Pro-Israel and Christian Right groups are attempting to raise $200 million for a campaign calling for war with Iran.


A Former Florida Professor, Al-Arian, Again Rebuffed Over Contempt Citation

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Headlines for 10-22-07

Iran's new nuclear negotiator to meet EU's Solana


SAS raiders enter Iran to kill gunrunners ** BRITISH special forces have crossed into Iran several times in recent months as part of a secret border war against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard?s Al-Quds special forces, defence sources have disclosed......Liam Fox, the Conservative defence spokesman, said: "Increasingly Iran poses a direct threat to our armed forces and our wider interests . . . they are playing a very dangerous game." And so it begins...


Iran bomb would take '3-8 years' to build "I cannot judge their intentions, but supposing that Iran does intend to acquire a nuclear bomb, it would need between another three and eight years to succeed," Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told France's Le Monde newspaper.


On the Eve of Destruction by Scott Ritter ** . In 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, Hadley (then the deputy national security adviser) instituted what has been referred to as the ?Hadley Rules,? a corollary of which is that no move will be made which alters the ideological positioning of Iran as a mortal enemy of the United States. From an article in yesterday's news batch, you'll notice that Bolton too was in on that action.


CBS confirms 2006 Raw Story scoop: Plame's job was to keep nukes from Iran


Bush asks for $46 billion more for wars The State Department is requesting $550 million to combat drug trafficking in Mexico and Central America, $375 million for the West Bank and Gaza and $239 million for diplomatic costs in Iraq.


Iran tops agenda as Olmert visits Europe Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert begins a European tour on Monday to meet the new leaders of France and Britain for the first time and to push his campaign against Iran's nuclear drive.


U.N. watchdog: Iran not immediate threat Ehud Olmert slammed the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency for downplaying the Iranian nuclear threat. Oh dear.


WWIII ? Bring It On


Hezbollah hands over letter from missing Israeli airman Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has given Israel a photograph and poignant letter written by an airman missing for more than 20 years, as part of a rare prisoner swap, a newspaper said on Monday.


David Miliband in effort to heal UK-US relations There has been disquiet within the White House, particularly among aides to Vice President Dick Cheney, about the rapid withdrawal of British forces in southern Iraq.


Giuliani cites Israel to evangelicals Rudy Giuliani cited his love for Israel and the Jewish roots of Christianity in appealing to evangelical Christians. Be wary of such a passionate attachment (<--truer words never spoken).


Evangelicals up payments to Iranian olim U.S. evangelical Christians are offering Iranian Jews $10,000 per person to immigrate to Israel. They know that the US is going to bomb Iran soon.


GOP lawmakers want Syria attack info "If this event proves that Syria acquired nuclear expertise or material from North Korea, Iran, or other rogue states, it would constitute a grave threat to international security for which Syria and any other involved parties must be held accountable," said the op-ed appearing last week in the Wall Street Journal and signed by Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.)


Mistrial in US Hamas funding case The jury forewoman admitted surprise at the action of the three jurors. "When we voted, there was no issue in the vote. No-one spoke up any different. I really don't understand where it is coming from."


Monday, October 22, 2007

Headlines for 10-21-07

Cheney: Iran faces 'serious consequences' over nuclear drive Cheney also accused Syria of using "bribery and intimidation" to undermine Lebanon's upcoming presidential election and said the vote should go ahead "free of any foreign interference."


Iraq boy treated for defect with US help


Cheney calls Iran an obstacle to peace Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday described Iran as an obstacle to peace in the Middle East and said the world could not stand by and allow it to develop a nuclear weapon.


Bolton Book Cites Effort to Halt Powell's Iran Initiative Bolton, then undersecretary of state, says that he worked hard to thwart Powell's plans -- only to discover, to his dismay, that Powell's replacement, Condoleezza Rice, would pursue the same approach in President Bush's second term.


Turkey shells north Iraq border: Kurdish official


Rice puts brakes on Turkish raids into Iraq Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan says US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has asked his Government to hold off on launching cross-border raids on Kurdish rebels based in northern Iraq.


US raid kills 10, including children, Iraqi medics say


Iran's new hardline nuclear envoy causes jitters in West Iran sought to reassure the West yesterday that Tehran's policy over negotiations with Western powers attempting to curb its nuclear programme would not change after the replacement of Ali Larijani with a reputedly hardline deputy foreign minister, Saeed Jalili.


Syria denies Assad backing for Turkish action in Iraq


Israeli PM arrives in France for Sarkozy talks Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Paris Sunday for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on the Middle East peace process and Iran's controversial nuclear drive.


Ron Paul Introduces Bill to Restore the Constitution


Hezbollah arms smuggling still going on: Israel


Citizen stuns congresswoman: "Why should we divide Iraq for israel?"


Hizbullah: US could turn Lebanon into another Iraq Hizbullah on Friday denounced a senior Pentagon official's call for a US "strategic partnership" with Lebanon's army, saying American attempts to boost military ties were a ploy for domination and could turn the country into another Iraq.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Headlines for 10-20-07

Iran to fire '11,000 rockets in minute' if attacked ** Iran warned on Saturday it would fire off 11,000 rockets at enemy bases within the space of a minute if the United States launched military action against the Islamic republic


Iran minister says U.S. in no position to attack ** The United States is in no position to attack Iran because it is bogged down in the conflict in Iraq, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Saturday.


Iran's nuclear negotiator resigns Mr Larijani has favoured further negotiations with the West over Iran's uranium enrichment programme, as opposed to the president's more hard-line approach, our correspondent says.


US will not be able to use Afghanistan to attack: Iran FM ** "The people of Afghanistan will never allow America to use Afghanistan against any other country. This our belief, this is our trust,"


Talabani chides Syria over Kurds Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has criticised Syria for its support for a possible Turkish intervention against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.


After Putin, PM set to discuss Iran with Sarkozy, Brown The Israeli assumption is that from now until the Annapolis conference, the international pressure on the Jewish state will only intensify. The majority of the pressure will come from the US but European states will also exert some pressure.




ABC News: Ron Paul: Dark Horse Or Real Contender?


Russia successfully launches an intercontinental ballistic missile Russia on Thursday carried out a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.


Laura Bush leaves for cancer, diplomatic mission in Mideast The United States' image in the region has suffered badly in recent years due to the US-led invasion of Iraq, the conduct of the US "war on terror," Washington's support for Israel and the troubled peace process for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.


After seven months, man has freedom but not answers Growing up in Rafa, Gaza, Abuhajjaj was kidnapped and tortured more than once, according to Justice Department records. He threw rocks at Israelis during demonstrations against Israeli occupation in 1987, records said. He was shot in the leg walking home from school at age 19


The Syrian ?Nuke? Hoax

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Headlines for 10-19-07

We can attack Iran, says US commander **


Military Resistance Forced Shift on Iran Strike ** The Joint Chiefs were soon joined in opposition to a strike on Iran by Admiral William Fallon, who was nominated to become CENTCOM commander in January. Mann says Pentagon contacts have also told her that Fallon made his opposition to war against Iran clear to the White House. The time to speak up is NOW.


No evidence Iran arming Taliban: Afghan foreign minister Spanta's comments came after the top US commander in Afghanistan, General Dan McNeill, said Thursday a convoy of explosives intercepted last month had arrived from Iran and probably with the knowledge of the Iranian military.


US could change missile shield plan if Iranian threat subsides Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried said US officials had explained Washington's stance to Russia in talks at NATO headquarters to help allay any fears that the missile shield would be a threat to Russia.


Iran backing terror, says Blair UK ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair has accused Iran of backing terrorism and warned the world faces a situation akin to "rising fascism in the 1920s".


Two marines to face Haditha trial Prosecutors allege that the marines shot unarmed people in retaliation for a roadside bomb attack that killed one of their comrades.


Kurds 'will fight Turkish raids' The president of the Kurdish region in northern Iraq has said his people will defend themselves if Turkey attacks Kurdish rebels based in the region.


70 punished in accidental B-52 flight The Air Force said Friday it has punished 70 airmen involved in the accidental, cross-country flight of a nuclear-armed B-52 bomber following an investigation that found widespread disregard for the rules on handling such munitions.


Army to Keep Extending Troops' Service The U.S. Army will continue to rely on an unpopular program that forces some soldiers to stay on beyond their retirement or re-enlistment dates, despite repeated pressure from Defense Secretary Robert Gates to reduce and eventually eliminate the practice.


Who restarted the Cold War? by Patrick J. Buchanan Who restarted the Cold War? Bush and the braying hegemonists he brought with him to power. Great empires and tiny minds go ill together.


The Secret History of the Impending War with Iran That the White House Doesn't Want You to Know ** When Mann and Leverett went public with the inside story behind the impending disaster with Iran, the White House dismissed them. Then it imposed prior restraint on them, an extraordinary episode of government censorship. Finally, it threatened them. Now they are afraid of the White House, and watching what they say. But still, they feel they have to speak out.......On Monday, Leverett went straight to Rice's office for an explanation. She told him that Ariel Sharon had called early elections in Israel and asked Bush to shelve any Palestinian plan. This time Leverett couldn't hide his exasperation. "You told the whole world you were going to put this out before Christmas," he said. "Because one Israeli politician told you it's going to make things politically difficult for him, you don't put it out? Do you realize how hard that makes things for all our Arab partners?".....In Time magazine, former CIA officer and author Robert Baer quoted a highly placed White House official: "IEDs are a casus belli for this administration. There will be an attack on Iran."....."We're tired," Mann says. "Nobody listens."

I'm listening! Thank you for having the courage to speak out. This is a long article, but well worth the read. It deals with the Palestine issue, and shows the influence that Cheney and the neocons have had over both that issue and the issue of Iran and Syria (two more targets on Israel's wishlist). Note Ariel Sharon's power over our president - George Bush.


Gates in the Lion?s Den Again, his placement of a two-state solution ahead of containing Iran is, in my view, quite remarkable, even gutsy considering the extremist views of the host organization. Hehe. It was gutsy.


After Comments, U.S. Terror Chief Resigns Citing Health Reasons hree days after Americans saw the Bush administration's counterterrorism chief say the Iraq war has likely not made the United States safer from terrorism, the official announced his resignation, citing health reasons.


Oil prices fall from record highs US light sweet crude fell 87 cents to $88.60 after an earlier $90.07 record.


Israel cannot be destroyed, says former Mossad chief "We cannot say that the Iranian threat is an existential threat on the State of Israel. I believe that the State of Israel cannot be eliminated. It cannot be destroyed because of things you know and because of things you can imagine."


Rice to return to Middle East in two weeks The U.S. official, who spoke on condition that he was not identified, said White House National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley planned to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories next week to prepare for a U.S.-hosted peace conference to be held later this year. Hadley = neocon.


Israel "mole" took photos of Syrian target: report Israel urged the United States to destroy the complex, but Washington hesitated because no fissionable material was found that would prove the site was nuclear, ABC said.


Angry parents want refugees out of Lebanon schools Patience is wearing very thin among Lebanese whose children are unable to attend schools now being used to accommodate Palestinians after deadly clashes in a refugee camp in the north.


Those who oppose AIPAC and CUFI are caught in the realm of nightmares


U.N. presses Israel on Shebaa The United Nations is pressing Israel to reopen negotiations with Lebanon over the disputed Shebaa Farms area.



Fox News: What Would You Ask the GOP Presidential Candidates? My question to all of them with the exception of Ron Paul: at what point did you think you would start representing the AMERICAN national interest? Thanks.


US intelligence does not show Syrian nuclear weapons program, officials say Allegations that a Syrian envoy admitted during a United Nations meeting Oct. 17 that an Israeli air strike hit a nuclear facility in September are inaccurate and have raised the ire of some in the US intelligence community, who see the Vice President?s hand as allegedly being behind the disinformation.


Syria ready to open ties with friendly Lebanon In a letter to UN chief Ban Ki-moon, a copy of which was carried by the official SANA news agency on Friday, Syria accused Washington and militia leaders from the 1975-90 Lebanese civil war of blocking the establishment of "balanced" relations between the two countries.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Headlines for 10-18-07

Officers in on B-52 flight may be fired The Air Force is planning to fire at least five officers for an incident in which nuclear-armed missiles were mistakenly loaded on a B-52 bomber and flown across the U.S. ? the worst known violation of nuclear security rules in decades. Sounds like these men are being made scapegoats. Who gave the order? Had to have been higher up than that.


Putin attacks US foreign policy, announces new nuclear weapon


Iran denounces Bush "World War III" warning Bush's remarks indicated "hegemonic and ambitious objectives of the U.S. neo-conservatives," which would jeopardize international security, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini was quoted as saying.


U.S. works with other countries on third UN resolution on Iran The United States is working with the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as Germany on a third resolution to punish Iran for its defiance over its nuclear program, the State Department said Thursday.


PBS Frontline October 23 : Showdown with Iran ** FRONTLINE INVESTIGATES MOUNTING TENSION FOR THE U.S. IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ASKS: IS IRAN NEXT?
And PBS is still giving prominent airtime to neocons, I see.


Oil prices climb above $89 level Oil prices rose above $89 a barrel in New York for the first time after the dollar reached a new low against the euro and amid ongoing supply concerns.


Commentary: Not since Stalin ** The bomb-Iran-now lobby received a new assist this week from one of
its most vocal armchair strategists. Michael Ledeen's new book, "The
Iranian Time Bomb," says the United States is faced with two
terrible alternatives: either accommodate a nuclear Iran determined
to create a global caliphate modeled "on the bloodthirsty regime in
Tehran, or bomb Iran and deal with all the unpredictable
consequences that entails."
Ledeen = neocon.


Fox News asks Ron Paul why he gets most military support while calling for Iraq withdrawal


Constitutional scholar: 9/11 'highly convenient' in allowing Bush to expand power Turley was responding to allegations aired last week by a former Qwest CEO that the National Security Agency approached telecoms as early as February 2001 about establishing secret mechanisms to spy on Americans.


'Security Council too slow on sanctions' The UN Security Council is taking too long to impose additional sanctions on Iran, top US State Department official Nicholas Burns told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday night.


US Senator Coleman: 'If action is going to be taken, it's not going to be Israel alone' ** If military action is undertaken against Iran, Israel won't be doing it alone, US Senator Norm Coleman told The Jerusalem Post Wednesday. No Senator. Like Iraq, it will be the US alone, on Israel's behalf.


US lawmakers apologize in torture case Members of Congress apologized Thursday to a Canadian engineer seized by U.S. officials and taken to Syria, where he says he was tortured.


Clinton bucks the trend and rakes in cash from the US weapons industry


Bush, Barak hold unplanned meeting Israeli officials have welcomed Bush's recent warning that an Iran with the knowledge to build a nuclear weapon could precipitate World War III.


Jury reaches verdict in Holy Land trial After 19 days of deliberations, the jury in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial returned a verdict Thursday afternoon. But it will be Monday before the defendants find out their fate.


Peres: Pollard was almost released He noted that Washington was being "surprisingly stubborn" on the Pollard issue, adding that nevertheless, Israel was doing everything possible in order to bring about his release.


Barak: We don't oppose Saudi sale Ehud Barak assured Congress members that Israel does not oppose a pending U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia.


Armenians push forward with fight despite ADL's reversal on 'genocide' Along with several other major Jewish groups, the ADL also opposes the resolution because of its potential repercussions for Turkish relations with Israel and the security of the Turkish Jewish community. Israel comes first over denunciation of genocide.


Dowd: A Giuliani presidency would join Israel and U.S. at the hip Too late. That happened years ago.


Olmert: Only sanctions on Iran will prevent deterioration


Last Palestinian refugees from Iraq head to Brazil


Interpreter error causes furor said that Israel "violates the airspace of sovereign states and carries out military aggression against them, like what happened on the 6th of September 2007 against my country." The translator quoted the diplomat as saying that Israel had "taken action against nuclear facilities, including the 6 July attack in Syria."



Barriers to peace Perhaps the most malicious comments made by Horowitz, however, were those directed at Muslims. He persistently connected the religion of over 1.5 billion people to fascism, lumping together a diverse array of ethnic and political groups by using terms such as "Islamic Nazis," "barbarians" and "Islamo-fascism."

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Headlines for 10-17-07

Powell says Iran nuke row can be solved Former Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed hope Wednesday for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to Iran's nuclear row.


Palestinians: Parley likely to be postponed His comments came as senior P.A. officials said it was almost certain the conference in Annapolis, Md., would be postponed because Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have failed to achieve progress on any of the fundamental issues such as Jerusalem, the borders and refugees. This whole thing is being rushed together and pushed through in order to pave the way for a US strike on Iran. It's a ruse.


Will We Fall For War Vs. Iran? **


US will continue to work with Russia on Iran nuclear threat: Bush ** "We've got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel," Bush said at a White House press conference after Russia cautioned against military action against Tehran's suspect atomic program. "So I've told people that, if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," said Bush.



Dissent from the Front Lines


Oil prices pull back from highs


Syria gives backing to possible Turkish incursion into Iraq Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday said he would support a Turkish incursion into northern Iraq against Kurdish rebels, as the parliament in Ankara met to vote for military action.


PBS Frontline: Cheney's Law Can watch the video online.


Palestinians return to ruined Lebanese camp


JINSA Bestows 2007 Distinguished Service Award Upon Defense Secretary Gates Gates is this year?s recipient of the institute?s Jackson award, named after late U.S. Sen. Henry M. Jackson, a staunch Cold Warrior and stalwart supporter of America?s friendship with Israel.


House lauds Israel on U.N. breakthrough The U.S. House of Representatives saluted Israel for its being named to chair its first United Nations committee.


Ex-Mayor ?Emotional Winner' at Jewish Forum Mr. Giuliani was similarly unequivocal when it came to Iran, saying a president "can't hesitate" to use military power if it is in the country's best interests Which country would that be, Rudy?


Visiting American mayors look to partner with Israeli high-tech industry Visiting mayors from the United States said Thursday they're interested in joint projects with Israeli concerns, following a tour of leading biotechnology companies.


Jews Become Targets of Turkey's Anger at U.S. Vote on Armenia Turkey, which has close ties with Israel, has long relied on lobbying from Jewish groups in Washington to aid in fending off proposals like the one endorsed by a House of Representatives panel Oct. 10.


Syria's UN delegate never referred to nuclear site: UN spokesman A UN report wrongly suggesting that a Syrian delegate had said a nuclear site in his country was hit in an Israeli air strike last month was due to an "interpretation error", a UN spokesman said Wednesday.


Olmert, Putin to discuss Iran The Israeli prime minister is scheduled to make a one-day visit to Moscow on Thursday at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, himself freshly returned from a summit with his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Headlines for 10-16-07

Video: Ron Paul Best OF Five Stars. All Americans should watch this and remember what this country was supposed to be about.


Russia backs Iran nuclear rights Russia's President Vladimir Putin has offered qualified support for Iran's nuclear programme on a visit to Tehran.


Putin invites Ahmadinejad to Moscow


Putin blames 'worn-out' equipment for delay in Iran's nuclear reactor President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday blamed technical problems and worn-out equipment for the delays in completing Iran's first nuclear power plant, being built with Russian help.


Iraq fears action 'may escalate'


Pelosi Rejects Any House Vote On Iranian Revolutionary Guard ** The measure, sponsored by Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) and John Kyl (R-Ariz.), passed the Senate last month. And Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and other critics have said the vote gives the Bush administration a rational for military action in Iran.


Gates Says All Options On Table For Iran ** Among a string of U.S. objectives in the Middle East, Gates listed an Iran that does not build nuclear weapons or ?hold Israel hostage with the threat of attack.?


Clinton would use violence against Tehran


Unfit for command by Patrick J. Buchanan The United States needs to sit down with our Kurdish friends and explain that in return for U.S. protection, they are to rein in the PKK and PEJAK before they drag us into a wider war.


Oil reaches new records above $87 Oil prices have hit record levels above $87 a barrel amid tensions between Turkey and Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq and output concerns.


David Horowitz Slanders Antiwar Activists, Ron Paul


California divesting from Iran


Where Have All the Neocons Gone? If you believe that American citizens who are Muslim should be sent to internment camps, then you?ll love that Giuliani?s advisors are advocating the same thing. Want to invade, or at least bomb, Iran? Well then, Giuliani?s your guy. Believe that aid should be cut to countries that don?t back U.S. policies? Giuliani?s right with you on that one, too.


GOP candidates tell Jewish group Israel's security must be ensured


Lebanon Must End Discrimination Against Its Palestinian Refugees, Charges Amnesty International in New Report The Lebanese government must take concrete steps to end all forms of discrimination against Palestinian refugees, Amnesty International said in a new report launched at a press conference in Beirut today.



GOP candidates make their case at Republican Jewish conference


Candidates need to step up


U.S., Israel to study layered missile defences The United States and Israel agreed to work on a layered missile defence system to intercept ballistic missiles from Iran and Syria and smaller arms like those lobbed from Gaza and Lebanon, officials said on Tuesday.


U.S. too often follows Israel's lead in diplomatic situations By Paul Findley The pro-Israel lobby is not one organization orchestrating U.S. Middle East policy from a backroom in Washington. Nor is it entirely Jewish. It consists of scores of groups -- large and small -- that work at various levels. The largest, most professional, and most effective is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.


Two Palestinians hurt in grenade blast at Lebanon school


Progress in talks on captured Israeli soldiers: Hezbollah


Sneh: Iran could destroy Zionist dream A nuclear Iran could destroy the Zionist dream by deterring immigration to Israel, Labor MK Ephraim Sneh said Sunday.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Headlines for 10-15-07

Putin set for historic Iran trip While he has visited Gulf Arab states, his journey to Tehran marks the first visit to Iran by a Kremlin leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.


Pentagon, FBI misusing secret info requests: ACLU The Pentagon has misled Congress and the US public by conniving with the FBI to obtain hundreds of financial, telephone and Internet records without court approval, civil-rights campaigners said Sunday.


No Legitimate Justification for War with Iran: By Scott Ritter ** there is simply nothing transpiring in Iran today that constitutes categorization as an imminent threat to the national security of the United States, and as such nothing about the Iranian situation can be interpreted as providing justification for any accelerated military action that seeks to circumvent due process. However, the reality is that the United States continues to plan to initiate and sustain a military strike against Iran.


Iranian threat "overly exaggerated" - Margelov Military methods are unacceptable in tackling the Iranian problem, Mikhail Margelov, the head of the Federation Council's International Affairs Committee, has said.


Oil hits $86 on Turkey tensions


U.S. Builds Air Base in Iraq for the Long Haul The U.S. military base in Balad, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, is rapidly becoming one of the largest American military installations on foreign soil.


Ron Paul Stings Hillary Clinton on Iraq War, Warns of Draft Sounding like a candidate that can win his party's nomination, Paul said, "She voted for the war now she says she can?t get the troops out until 2013 and she won't rule out a military first strike against Iran."



WMD Chaser, Scott Ritter, Spreads Anti-War Advice ** Ritter also warned that preventing war with Iran should be liberals? top priority because that war would be far more dangerous than the war in Iraq.The Bush administration is heating up the rhetoric against Iran and making false claims that the country is trying to develop nuclear weapons, Ritter said. "The American public is being imprinted to accept at face value" that Iran poses a threat.



'Many in the US military think Bush and Cheney are out of control' ** Many in the US military think Bush and Cheney are out of control. They are rebelling against Bush and Cheney...I regard the Israelis as opponents of a war with Iran which would involve them Excellent. Keep it up! As to the last statement in the excerpt: of course Israel won't fight that war: that's why she's getting US to do it for them (again).


US 'wants Palestinian state now' Condoleezza Rice said reaching a two-state solution was a priority for her and US President George Bush. Has to do with garnering Arab support for forthcoming action on Iran, methinks.


Report: Syrian president to visit Turkey on Tuesday


Merkel assails Iran over Israel Germany should never accept Iran's threats against Israel, Angela Merkel said.


U.N. watchdog asks Syria about "undeclared" atom plant The U.N. nuclear watchdog did not know about any undeclared atomic plant in Syria and has asked Damascus about information that such a site was targeted by an Israeli air strike, a spokeswoman said on Monday.


GOP candidates set to make pitches to Bush's Jewish loyalists Not invited were long-shots U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter of California, Tom Tancredo of Colorado and Ron Paul of Texas. Paul was rejected because of his consistent voting record against U.S. assistance to Israel and his criticism of the pro-Israel lobby. Ron Paul - one of the brave few that dares to put America first.


Separation of families "priority humanitarian issue" - ICRC official Following the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, sections of the Golan were captured by Israel. While most of the villages were depopulated, four Druze villages and one Alawi village remained inhabited. 'Depopulated' doublespeak for ETHNIC CLEANSING.


On U.S. tour as defense minister, Barak's focus on security over peace In Washington this week for talks with Bush administration officials and congressional leaders, Barak is trying to promote joint U.S.-Israel missile defense projects and exchange views on the threats posed by Iran's nuclear program.


Hopes of prisoner exchanges after Israeli civilian's body returned home The body of an Israeli civilian was swapped last night for those of two Hizbollah militants and a live Lebanese prisoner in a move that Israel indicated could presage further prisoner exchanges.


Egypt playing negative role as peace parley approaches Ironically, some Israelis believe the chances of an accommodation with Syria are now greater in the wake of the reported Israeli airstrike against a nascent Syrian nuclear facility in September. Top Israel Defense Force generals believe there is now a real chance for a dialogue with Syria and Israel should explore it. In farewell interviews, the outgoing deputy chief of staff, Maj.-Gen Moshe Kaplinsky , argued that detaching Syria from the Iranian-led "axis of evil" was a vital Israeli and American interest.



'Mideast peace is high on our agenda' An exercise in Israel asskissing by the US presidential candidates. Disgraceful. Only one nation in the world gets this kind of kowtow fest - Israel.


What 'Safe' Cluster Bombs Do In Lebanon Lebanon has a devastating cluster bomb problem. Hit hard during the final days of last summer?s conflict with Israel, hundreds of thousands of unexploded munitions are strewn throughout the south?s rural towns and fertile fields and valleys. Although there have been 255 civilian and de-mining casualties to date, official requests for Israel?s cluster bomb strike data have gone unanswered. ?The reality of the situation is we simply don?t know how many there are, and we will never know until the Israelis tell us how many they fired,? says Chris Clark


Small gathering protests group's Muslim Family Day at Six Flags Brenda Jernigan of Duncanville said she isn't positive the Muslim group holding Sunday's event is tied to terrorism. But she's positive her conservative Christian values are under attack. Morons.


Columbia Professor Calls Bollinger White Supremacist In a flare-up of old tensions between the Department of Middle East and Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University and the school's administration, a leading Iranian scholar at the university is labeling its president, Lee Bollinger, a white supremacist whose harsh rebuke of President Ahmadinejad of Iran reeked of "mind-numbing racism."


Clinton: Pullout from Iraq will facilitate peace between Israel, Palestinians


Why are the Israelis lying about striking a "nuclear facility" in Syria? ** It also, I believe, prefigures, on a much smaller scale, the sequence of events likely to trigger war with Iran: an Israeli strike, Iranian retaliation via Hezbollah, followed by American intervention, which would be practically inevitable. Former CIA counterterrorism official Philip Giraldi has a similar article in the current (October 22) issue of The American Conservative. Israel wants to include Syria on the hitlist in any possible attack on Iran by the US, IMO. And she's looking for a pretext, any old one will do. This was a dry run. As we inch closer to a(nother) Israel-Palestinian 'peace agreement', we inch closer to WWIII.


Lebanon detains group for trying to bomb UN troops The Lebanese army says it has detained members of a "terrorist network" who had tried to bomb UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon.