Headlines for 01-15-08

Bush warns Iran not to be provocative in Gulf** U.S. President George W. Bush said on Tuesday that he would hold Iran responsible if it hit American ships and warned the Islamic Republic not to behave provocatively in Gulf waters


UN 'to mull new Iran sanctions' China and Russia have questioned the need for more sanctions on Iran, which says its nuclear programme is peaceful.


US, Iran One Misstep From the Edge by Philip Giraldi ** President Bush still apparently dreams of confronting Iran, even if the imploding situation in Pakistan makes it unlikely that he will risk doing so. Israel makes no secret of the fact that it would like Washington to act, and Israel's wishes are seldom denied in Washington. And then there are the hotheads on the Iranian side. The U.S. national interest in the Middle East would be best served by marginalizing those who want war and beginning to negotiate seriously. As Winston Churchill put it, "To jaw jaw is better than to war war."


Mullen: Clash may signal Tehran shift


Egypt, Turkey warn against war on Iran** "There is no need for the use of force. Use of force will lead to very serious consequences in the region and the world,"


US drafting plan to allow government access to any email or Web search National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell is drawing up plans for cyberspace spying that would make the current debate on warrantless wiretaps look like a "walk in the park," according to an interview published in the New Yorker's print edition today.


Oil rises on US-Iran tensions, weaker dollar


Subprime Nation by Patrick J. Buchanan Our political parties seem oblivious. Republicans, save Ron Paul, are all promising to expand the U.S. military and maintain all of our worldwide commitments to defend and subsidize scores of nations.


Merkel says pressure on Iran must be maintained despite US report Germany plans to continue exerting pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme, despite a report by US intelligence services that Tehran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons programme, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday.


US using 1994 Argentine bombing investigation to pressure Iran US diplomats, working with their counterparts from Israel and Argentina, convinced the international police agency Interpol to issue "red notices" against five former and current Iranian officials. The most-wanted orders, which were issued last November, will prevent the Iranians from leaving their home country, but neither the US nor Interpol can force Tehran to hand them over, report Solomon and Perez.




Bush wraps up Middle East visit on peace, Iran, oil


Saudi pledge follows Bush call for oil price action US President George W. Bush urged oil producers on Tuesday to take action over near record-high prices, prompting his Saudi hosts to vow to increase output when justified by the market.


Israel reports Iranian-made rocket hit A rocket fired at Israel by Palestinians earlier this month was made in Iran, an Israeli lawmaker and security officials said Tuesday. Thus does the BS begin anew..


U.S., Poland hopeful of missile shield deal U.S. and Polish officials said on Tuesday they believe they can strike a deal which would allow U.S. missiles to be installed in Poland as part of a defensive shield for Europe.


Walesa: World needs to combat Iranian threat "It seems we understand each other so very well and are doing so well together that we could establish the United States of Poland and Israel," Walesa quipped.


Rice expresses US outrage over Lebanon bombing Three people were killed in a remote-controlled bomb blast that targeted a United States embassy car in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, the latest in a string of attacks in the troubled country.


Effort to block Saudi arms deal is doomed With Congress having 30 days to reject the sale, its foes must run their opposition through a committee. Lantos, perhaps Israel's best friend among committee chairmen, was their best chance.



Efforts to block Saudi arms deal likely to be unsuccessful Top Israelis, including Defense Minister Ehud Barak, gave the sale their blessing after representations by U.S. officials. Reported sweeteners included guarantees that the JDAMs would be programmed not to include Israel as a target.


Olmert: Hizbullah not interested in using its missiles Prime minister lauds achievements of Second Lebanon War, says Shiite group 'not inclined' to use its weapons against Israel. Olmert recommends against wide-scale incursion in Gaza that may cost Israel more than it's willing to pay


Four killed in Beirut explosion