Headlines for 03-24-08

Five Years and Counting: Ten Unpleasant Truths About the War in Iraq The invasion of Iraq may be the greatest self-inflicted blunder in the history of U.S. foreign policy. The case for war rested on false information, dubious assumptions and mendacious analysis. Neoconservatives inside and outside the Bush administration persuaded the president, vice president, and the American people that Saddam was an imminent threat, that war would be easy and pay for itself, and that ousting him would bring far-reaching benefits to the region. They were wrong on all counts, and their responsibility for this catastrophe should not be forgotten. The neocons need to be brought to justice. We owe it to every single soldier (and their families) who has been killed or maimed in Iraq.


US deathtoll in Iraq hits 4,000


Iran 'behind Green Zone attack' Gen David Petraeus told the BBC he thought Tehran had trained, equipped and funded insurgents who fired the barrage of mortars and rockets With Fallon out of the way, the sh#t's really heating up now.


Oil touches $100 on Saudi remarks Saudi Arabia has been under pressure from the US to help ease soaring oil prices.


Hagel Says Iraq Differences May Prevent McCain Endorsement


How German Intelligence Helped Justify the US Invasion of Iraq


US official says Cheney unlikely to have pressured Saudi over oil A senior US official suggested on Monday that Vice President Dick Cheney did not pressure Saudi Arabia to increase oil production during his visit to the kingdom last week.


Cheney talks Iran in Israel; U.S. strike seen as remote it was the Iranian dilemma that topped the agenda in two meetings Cheney held with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and one with Defense Minister Ehud Barak.......if the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate published last December suggested a chasm between Israeli and American assessments, Israeli officials say the views of both sides now are almost identical......Israel also figures that the chances of the Bush administration ordering a pre-emptive military strike against Iran are virtually zero. The only such scenario the Israelis envision is if the Democratic presidential candidates appear to be far ahead of their Republican rival and Bush senses a "now or never" strike option.......the Israelis are hoping that the hard-line Cheney will push the envelope -- a role he reportedly played vis-a-vis the U.S. invasion of Iraq. One official said Cheney is seen as "a significant player" who could influence "serious issues that cannot wait."
This from the Jewish Telegraph Agency (registration is free). Israel is still trying hard to get us to attack Iran for them (like we did Iraq).


Netanyahu: If we leave Jerusalem, Iran and Hamas will take control Iran is to blame for all ills in the world, according to Israel and the neocons.


'No option' ruled out over Iran nukes


Saddam's Files They show terror plots, but raise new questions about some U.S. claims.



Barak to Cheney: We must keep all options open vis a vie Iran Who's 'we'?


Cheney hits out at Iran, Syria as he wraps up Mideast peace push Iran and Syria "are doing everything they can to torpedo the peace process," Cheney told reporters in Jerusalem as he wrapped up a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories before heading to Turkey.

More Orwellian BS from the king of the neocons, who do everything THEY can to torpedo the 'peace process'.


Cheney says Syria and Iran are sabotaging talks Cheney, who for the second time in two days met the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, in Jerusalem, was on a visit intended to encourage the faltering peace talks, which, four months since they were launched, have achieved little. "It is clearly a difficult situation, in part, because I think it's true, there's evidence, that Hamas is supported by Iran and Syria and that they're doing everything they can to torpedo the peace process," Cheney told reporters after the meeting.




For road to peace, Palestinians get very different maps from U.S., Russia Mr. Cheney did not mention Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, an end to the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip and support for Palestinian reconciliation talks under way in Yemen.'Painful concessions' for Mideast peace: Cheney

Commitment to Israel 'enduring and unshakable' Cheney says

However, all of those were points that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointedly did make.


US vice president meets Turkish leaders amid protests


US, Bahrain sign deal on nuclear energy cooperation: US The United States and Bahrain signed a deal Monday on peaceful nuclear energy cooperation, holding it up as a model for the Middle East that contrasts with Iran's disputed atomic program.


Many Arabs fear McCain would continue Bush policy During a Middle East tour this month, McCain's statements on Israel also sounded alarm bells for Arabs who have long criticized Washington for not exercising enough pressure on the Jewish state to withdraw from occupied Arab land.


US vessel 'shoots at Suez boat'


Barak: We must take Hezbollah's latest threats seriously


Hezbollah said it will continue pursuing mediated talks with Israel on a possible prisoner swap.


Soldier suspected as Hezbollah spy An Israeli soldier is suspected of supplying classified information to Hezbollah in exchange for drugs.


Report: Iranian, Syrian missiles to pound Israel in next war Someone's gearing up for something.


Israel passes on U.S.-produced anti-rocket laser


Saudi king to boycott Arab summit The Saudis had already indicated that King Abdullah might not attend because of a rift with Syria over the current political crisis in Lebanon.