Saturday, May 31, 2008

Headlines for 05-30-08

US soldier suicides the highest on record: army


Rice says Iraq war was right thing to do Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended on Thursday the Bush administration's record in Iraq after sharp criticism of the war in a new book by a former White House spokesman.


Senior Iran cleric slams IAEA over alleged nuclear studies Senior Iranian cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Friday branded as a trap the UN nuclear watchdog's demand that Iran come clean over its past atomic work suspected of weaponisation studies.


Pentagon To Shift Funds To Pay for Iraq War The Pentagon plans to shift $9.7 billion of its overall budget to pay for war operations but warned on Wednesday it will run out of money if the U.S. Congress does not approve more funding by mid-July.


The road to peace in Iraq runs directly through Tehran To some, this may all sound like dancing on a pinhead. But Scott McClellan, Bush's former press secretary, has just accused his former boss of manipulating the truth and mounting a dishonest propaganda campaign against Iraq before the invasion. We ignore similar efforts against Iran at our peril.


Talking to Hamas As for the latest announcement that Syria and Israel are prepared to open peace talks again, Mishaal said that he supports Syria's decision but that he believes these talks will come at the expense of the more difficult and complicated Palestinian negotiations.....Mishaal acknowledged that the Carter visit was "fruitful," and he repeated his pledge to Carter that Shalit would be allowed to write a letter to his family. "The president requested the letter, and it's out of respect for Carter we have agreed to that. We requested from our brothers in Gaza that they allow that letter, and it will be coming soon."


Are Ahmadinejad's Days Numbered?


Is President Bush becoming irrelevant? by Patrick J. Buchanan Neoconservative ideology, not U.S. national interests, McClellan is saying, motivated Bush to launch one of the longest and most divisive wars in U.S. history.....Israel has ignored Bush's demand that it stop building and expanding settlements on a West Bank that is to be the heartland of a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been secretly negotiating with Syria for the return of the Golan Heights in exchange for peace. Another gem by Mr. PJB.


Chertoff: Hezbollah Makes Al Qaeda Look 'Minor League' JERUSALEM ? Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff warned Thursday that the radical Islamic group Hezbollah "makes Al Qaeda look like a minor league team," and poses the greatest threat to national security. WHOSE national security would that be? He's utterly insane if he was referring to the nation that he is SUPPOSED to be serving - AMERICA.


Murdoch Goes After Condi, Urges Blockade Against Iran both Stephens' column and Feith's op-ed were relatively tame compared to Wednesday's opinion pages. In the lead editorial, entitled "Punxsutawney Condi," the newspaper called for the U.S. drop its diplomatic efforts to get Tehran to freeze its uranium enrichment program and instead mount a "month-long naval blockade of Iran's imports of refined gasoline" - a clear act of war - in order to, in its words, "clarify for the Iranians just how unacceptable their nuclear program is to the civilized world."


AIPAC draft agenda: Iran, peace, terrorism Much of a draft proposal obtained by JTA focuses on backing existing efforts in Congress and elsewhere to further isolate Iran until it ends its suspected nuclear weapons program. The agenda also promotes Israel's qualitative military edge in the region and the peace process.


Neo-Cons Silent on Hagee Repudiation by McCain it was the neo-cons, mainly Irving Kristol and Commentary?s former editor, Norman Podhoretz, who, like the Likud party (whose then-leader, Prime Minister Menahim Begin, gave the late Jerry Falwell his first private jet), saw Christian Zionists as a key political constituency in the U.S. that would mobilize effectively against any inclination by a future U.S. president to pressure Israel to dismantle Jewish settlements on the West Bank or remove Jewish settlers from East Jerusalem as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians


DHS Looks to Adopt Israeli Airport Security Methods While in Jerusalem for a conference attended by public and homeland security ministers from around the world, Chertoff signed an agreement with Israel to share technology and information on methods to improve homeland security. An incredibly unwise move. That's the last thing we should be doing.


Hezbollah says ready to discuss defense strategy but not give up weapons


Syrian source: Israel did not ask us to sever ties with Iran


Britain looked to Israel when studying military deception After Egypt blocked the strategic Straits of Tiran and expelled U.N. forces from the Sinai Desert, Israel launched pre-emptive strikes on June 5, 1967, against Egyptian and Syrian air forces, destroying them on the ground. In six days of one-sided battles, Israeli forces captured the West Bank, Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip and Sinai from Jordan, Syria and Egypt. In an unsigned, top secret military document, that war was cited as "an example of how deception can be employed in the modern era and in such a way that the enemy decision making process is placed at a severe disadvantage."




Jewish GOPers to broadcast board Halperin of New Jersey is a former chairwoman of the Republican Jewish Coalition and once led a campaign against perceived anti-Israel bias at National Public Radio, one of the institutions that receives CPB funding.


Search Is Urged for Syrian Nuclear Sites The Bush administration is pressing U.N. inspectors to broaden their search for possible secret nuclear facilities in Syria, hinting that Damascus's nuclear program might be bigger than the single alleged reactor destroyed by Israeli warplanes last year. The 'evidence' of that alleged reactor destroyed by Israel was largely provided BY ISRAEL, according to former CIA counterterrorism official Philip Giraldi.


Bin Laden turns his mind to Israel in one recent statement he called Palestine "my nation's pivotal issue". It was, he declared, "an important factor in giving me since childhood, and giving the 19 free men (who carried out the 9/11 attacks), an overwhelming feeling that we must stand by the oppressed and punish the unjust Jews and their backers."In fact, Palestine has never been an operational priority for the group.


Friday, May 30, 2008

Headlines for 05-28-08

Post-traumatic stress soars in U.S. troops


Why Doesn't al-Qaeda Attack the US? by Michael Scheuer For now, Americans should see themselves as being in standby mode for the larger-than-9/11 attack bin Laden eventually will trigger because the last two U.S. administrations and Senators McCain, Clinton, and Obama have warned about the severe Islamist threat, while knowingly encouraging its worldwide growth by championing status quo foreign policies that degrade U.S. security, as well as by supinely appeasing their Saudi and Israeli masters. That's former CIA counterterrorism official, Michael Scheuer.


John Bolton Escapes Citizen?s Arrest at Hay Festival John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations, has escaped an attempted citizen?s arrest as he appeared at the Hay Festival


Bin Laden hiding in north Pakistan: official


Iran speaker warns nuclear agency Iran's new parliament speaker has warned that it could set limits on future co-operation with the United Nation's nuclear agency, the IAEA.


Iran Aiding, Arming Hezbollah and Hamas, Says Israel


Bush ?Plans Iran Air Strike by August? Two key US senators briefed on the attack planned to go public with their opposition to the move, according to the source, but their projected New York Times op-ed piece has yet to appear.


Local soldier helps Iraqi girl get new legs


Keep up resistance, Iran tells Hamas


Iran-Syria sign defence pact


Exclusive: McClellan Whacks Bush, White House ?Neither, I believe, did President Bush. He, too, had been deceived and therefore became unwittingly involved in deceiving me. But the top White House officials who knew the truth - including Rove, Libby and possibly Vice President Cheney - allowed me, even encouraged me, to repeat a lie.?


U.S., Israel, Canada and European countries co-operate on anti-terror efforts Israel's minister of public security says nine countries, including Canada, are co-operating to create a counterterrorism network.


Fox: Carter 'outing' of Israeli nukes helps Iran


After weeks of feuding over Mideast, candidates head to AIPAC parley They have engaged in a bruising battle over Iran policy. McCain favors increased isolation for Iran, Obama favors what he calls tough diplomacy and direct negotiations, and both are casting their arguments in terms of what's better for Israel The obeisance is utterly disgusting.


Two men accused of agreeing to broadcast the Hezbollah television channel al-Manar to U.S. customers will face trial on terrorism charges in January, a U.S. judge ruled on Wednesday.


J Street to Lieberman: Cut Hagee ties A dovish pro-Israel lobby wants U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman to cut ties with the Rev. John Hagee

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Headlines for 05-26-08

Iran 'withholds nuclear details' The UN nuclear watchdog has said it believes Iran is still withholding information on its nuclear programme.


Report: Iran 'Paid Iraq Insurgents to Kill U.K. Soldiers' According to a leaked British government document obtained by London's Daily Telegraph, Jaish al-Mahdi (JAM) ? also known as the Mahdi Army ? used hundreds of thousands of dollars funneled from Iran to pay fighters to carry out strikes against U.K. forces in Basra. Making the case for war.


Jimmy Carter says Israel had 150 nuclear weapons Israel has 150 nuclear weapons in its arsenal, former President Jimmy Carter said yesterday, while arguing that the US should talk directly to Iran to persuade it to drop its nuclear ambitions.


Carter wants Iraq troop deadline "I don't care if it's one year or five years....the essence of it is to let the world know that...we are going to be out," Mr Carter told journalists.


U.S., Iran and Arab neighbors to meet on Iraq The United States will prod Sunni Arab states to offer more support to the Iraqi government at a conference in Sweden this week as a way of countering the growing influence of non-Arab Iran in Iraq.


LET'S REMEMBER TO NOT START ANOTHER WAR as we approach this sad milestone, it is insane that the same people who were so disastrously wrong before miring us in Iraq are again beating the drums for an another unnecessary military action, this time against Iran.


Israel 'has 150 nuclear weapons' Former Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Zeevi-Farkash told Reuters news agency he considered Mr Carter's comments "irresponsible".
"The problem is that there are those who can use these statements when it comes to discussing the international effort to prevent Iran getting nuclear weapons," he said.
Oh dear.


Increased U.S. airstrikes in Iraq killing more civilians


U.S., Saudis ink nuclear pact The Bush administration is encouraging moderate Arab Middle Eastern allies to sign such pacts to prevent Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program from launching a regional arms race.


The Chalabsey Twins*


Carter urges 'supine' Europe to break with US over Gaza blockade Carter said the Quartet's policy of not talking to Hamas unless it recognised Israel and fulfilled two other conditions had been drafted by Elliot Abrams, an official in the national security council at the White House. He called Abrams "a very militant supporter of Israel".


Israel charges Iran spy suspect


Israel 'would consider strike' amid fears over Iran's weapons programme With US President George Bush nearing the end of his term, the likelihood of US military action appears to be fading. The strong chance of Democrat Barack Obama winning the presidential race means Israel will have to consider going it alone.....Bar also pointed to a paper to be published next month by the Washington Institute for Near East Strategy. Its authors, Patrick Clawson and Michael Eisenstadt, argue that it should not be assumed an attack on Iran would result in a doomsday-type scenario. That aforementioned 'thinktank' is another neocon front.


NORPAC draws 1,000 activists to D.C. Nearly 1,000 activists lobbied for Israel in Washington.


Ahmadinejad sure Syria will press struggle against Israel


Israeli PM says Syria peace talks to remain secret


Olmert says Israel serious about peace with Syria


Ex-army chief says Israel can 'manage' without Golan


Israel Targets Iran Through Syrian Friendship


Olmert tells critics: No promises made to Syria so far


Progress seen in prisoner talks Israel and Hezbollah are nearing a breakthrough in prisoner-swap negotiations, sources on both sides said.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Headlines for 05-24-08

Honoring Our Veterans by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship We honor our war dead this Memorial Day weekend. The greatest respect we could pay them would be to pledge no more wars for erroneous and misleading reasons; no more killing and wounding except for the defense of our country and our freedoms.


Coming home: US soldiers struggle in civilian life


Nader Calls for Bush-Cheney Impeachment


Energy fears looming, new survivalists prepare


Buffett sees "long, deep" U.S. recession


Iran: Israel should withdraw from Golan Heights unconditionally


Syria rejects linking Israel peace with cutting off Iran


Building a Case for Attack on Iran's Nuclear Sites it appears that the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) is preparing the case for why an attack ? either by the U.S. or Israel ? on Tehran?s nuclear facilities might not be as calamitous as most analysts, including top Pentagon brass, believe. WINEP, of course, was founded by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and has acted as an integral part of the so-called Israel Lobby since its launch.



An Act of War according to Haaretz, Prime Minister Olmert "suggested" that, among other more drastic steps, the US impose a "naval blockade," using U.S. warships, "to limit the movement of Iranian merchant vessels."


Bush and McCain's Iran Insanity by Charley Reese


Hezbollah welcomes Lebanon deal


Syrian defence minister to hold Tehran talks It is the first visit to Tehran by a Syrian official since Syria and Israel announced on Wednesday that they had resumed peace negotiations indirectly through Turkish mediators.


Jews defend Hagee's words Nutjobs of a feather flock together. Charming.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Headlines for 05-23-08

China, Russia rule out military actions on Iran


U.S. airstrike kills 8 Iraqi civilians: police


U.S. military 'regrets' killing 2 children in Iraq operation


Commander Dempsey: U.S. Must Confront Iranian Influence In The Middle East The acting commander of the U.S. Central Command in the Middle East on Thursday said the Iranians have to be dealt with directly in Iraq, where they influence Shiite militias fighting U.S. forces


15 bln dlrs in US Iraq spending unaccounted for: reports The Pentagon cannot account for nearly 15 billion dollars in payments for goods and services in Iraq, according to an internal audit which members of Congress blasted Friday as a "shocking" accountability failure.


Counterterror staff falls to 62% More than one out of every three positions in an elite FBI division that tracks al Qaeda terrorists is vacant, according to an internal bureau document. Efforts are under way at the FBI to canvass for "volunteers" to fill what the agency said is a "critical" need in its counterterrorism efforts.




Oil spike forcing Americans off the road: stats Officials say higher petrol prices and the economic downturn are to blame.


Obama backs off from pledge to talk with Iran


US Senate approves $165 billion in new war money The US Senate has approved an additional $US165 billion to wage war in Iraq and Afghanistan for another year after lawmakers rejected proposed timetables for withdrawing American troops from Iraq.


US spending in Iraq ignored rules An audit of some $8bn (£4bn) paid to US and Iraqi contractors has found that almost every payment failed to comply with US laws aimed at preventing fraud.


March to War in Lebanon? by Rep. Ron Paul I am concerned that this kind of similarity is intentional and will inevitably result in US military action in Lebanon, or against Syria or Iran.


Where Are Those Iranian Weapons in Iraq?


Generals criticize Iran but see better relations Their remarks reflect a U.S. effort ? from President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates on down ? to highlight Iranian activity that Washington deems harmful in Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East while also encouraging Tehran to change its behavior.


No real progress on Iran nuclear dossier: diplomats


China, Russia denounce US missile plans


Iran mosque blast plotters admit Israeli, US links: report


Poland says no missile shield without US military aid


Pelosi denies Olmert proposed U.S. blockade of Iran "During the luncheon meeting with Prime Minister Olmert, there was never any mention of a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports," Elshami said in a statement. He declined to comment further.


Policy Forum Dead, Too?


Netanyahu denies saying he wouldn't abide by Syria deal


Israel asks U.S. for 25 F-35 warplanes, at $80 million a unit legislation in the U.S. Congress forbids the sale of the F-22 on the grounds that it would diminish the U.S. Air Force's advantage. Sources in Israel have expressed hope that U.S. President George W. Bush's recent visit to Israel would ensure the approval necessary to acquire the plane


Petraeus calls Syria nuclear program troubling


McCain forced to ditch pastor who claimed God sent Hitler


Bombing Iran: The Clamor Persists Listening to the questions asked of Gen. David Petraeus in the Senate Thursday, you might think the U.S. was headed for a new war in the Gulf. Senators from both sides of the aisle spent as much time asking him about Iran as they did about Iraq and Afghanistan. Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut grilled Petraeus on Iran's anti-U.S. activities in the region. Sen. Daniel Akaka of Hawaii plaintively asked about the utility of negotiations with Iran.....Following Bush's visit this month, the Jerusalem Post reported that a senior U.S. advisor on the trip had told Israeli officials that Bush was prepared to attack Iran, but that Gates and Rice were blocking the way


Israel sets demands in new Syrian peace track Israel has set terms for concluding a peace deal with Syria, closing ranks with Washington in demanding Damascus distance itself from Iran and stop supporting Palestinian and Lebanese militants.


FBI affirms support for AMIA probe The FBI is working to catch the five Iranians involved in the 1994 attack on Argentina's main Jewish center, its deputy director said.


In campaign season, Pelosi takes Israel fight to GOP Pelosi said the two preeminent topics raised by Israeli leaders during her trip to mark the Jewish state's 60th anniversary were the twin threats of Iran and Hamas.


Bush bid to isolate Mideast hardliners backfires: analysts The Bush administration's campaign to isolate Iran and Syria has backfired as the two Middle East hardliners ended up this week sidelining the United States, analysts said.


Israel sets demands in new Syrian peace track Israel set terms for concluding a peace deal with Syria on Thursday, closing ranks with Washington in demanding Damascus distance itself from Iran and stop supporting Palestinian and Lebanese militants.


Christian legislators gather on Capitol Hill to garner Israel support A delegation of Christian parliamentarians from around the world whose countries have formed pro-Israel parliamentary lobbies gathered Thursday on Capitol Hill in an effort to buttress support for the State of Israel across the globe.


Israel hopes hard power will do the talking Israel is gambling that its military superiority can persuade an isolated Bashar al-Assad to distance himself from Iran and its allies

Friday, May 23, 2008

Headlines for 05-21-08

The Fourth Estate Fails Again by Philip Giraldi Those who have been following the issue know well that planning to attack Iran is nothing new, that there are many in the Bush administration and outside it who are eager to bomb the mullahs into the stone age. What is different now is that there is a consensus inside the White House that a military attack is not an option but rather a necessity to "send a message" and restrain Iranian ambitions......That a dim bulb like Bush might draw all the wrong lessons from a historical analogy, confusing appeasement with diplomacy, comes as no surprise. But, perhaps inadvertently, he has clearly and unambiguously restated the centrality of Israel to the security problem posed by Iran Philip Giraldi is a former CIA COUNTERTERRORISM official.


Gates questions notion of useful U.S.-Iran talks


Military officer: Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that "irresponsible actions" by Iran's Revolutionary Guard "directly jeopardize" peace in Iraq. Making the case for war.


To Admiral William Fallon (USN ret.), With Respect You are acutely aware of the dangers of attacking Iran, but seem to be allowing an inbred reluctance to challenge your erstwhile commander in chief to trump that oath, and to prevent you from letting the American people know of the catastrophe about to befall us if, as seems likely, our country attacks Iran. By former CIA Ray McGovern.


Iran says ready to start 'serious, targeted' negotiations


Iran protests to U.S. over mosque blast: agency


Hyping the threat from Iran War talk against Iran is rising again in Washington as the Bush administration enters its final months with little to show for its labors in the Middle East.


Oil hits new record in overnight trade


White House denies Iran attack report Army Radio had quoted a top official in Jerusalem claiming that a senior member in the entourage of President Bush, who visited Israel last week, had said in a closed meeting here that Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were of the opinion that military action against Iran was called for.


Bush plays the Hitler card by Patrick J. Buchanan What has Bush's refusal to talk to Hamas, Hezbollah, Damascus and Tehran done to make either Israel or America more secure?


Rice defends Bush policy on Iran as 'successful'


Israel wants more pressure on Iran


Olmert proposes naval blockade on Iran: report The Haaretz daily quoted Olmert as telling Nancy Pelosi that "the present economic sanctions have exhausted themselves" and the international community needed to take more drastic steps to stop Iran's efforts to obtain nuclear weapons....The prime minister's suggestions, Haaretz said, included a naval blockade of Iran using U.S. warships to limit the movement of Iranian merchant vessels. That's a blockade 'USING US WARSHIPS', folks. Whose war is this?


US market slumps amid rising oil prices


Report: U.S. Will Attack Iran A leading member of America?s Jewish community told Newsmax in April that a military strike on Iran was likely and that Vice President Cheney?s March trip through the Middle East came in preparation for the U.S. attack.


Journal: US report on Iranian weapons in Iraq 'delayed significantly' In a little-noticed story, the Los Angeles Times reported two weeks ago that American promises to offer proof that Iran was arming Iraqi militants had fallen through.


Report says Iran's neighbours looking at nuclear power In a report, the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said Iran's nuclear programme had prompted other states in the oil-rich region to consider acquiring nuclear technology.


Officials: Bush pledged funding for Arrow 3 US President George W. Bush pledged his commitment to Israeli leaders during his visit to Jerusalem last week to obtain the necessary funding for the development and production of Israel's Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system, The Jerusalem Post has learned.....In an interview with the Post on Sunday, Pelosi said that Congress was committed to helping Israel retain its qualitative military edge over other countries in the Middle East. She noted that the House of Representatives passed legislation doing just that last week. Under the House version, which still needs the approval of the US Senate before being sent to Bush to become law, future arms sales would need to make sure that Israel's military advantage was maintained Read that again.


Osama: Palestinian Cause Was 'Main Factor' The answer to Why the press can't say why they hate us goes to ideology. If the Palestinian grievance is acknowledged or valorized, rather than dismissed out of hand, well that opens the door on the Nakba, on the dispossession, on the many landgrabs of the Jewish state and inevitably casts doubt on the inherent goodness of Zionism and the justice of the occupation, theirs and ours.


Paying for War at the Pump Would some reporter with access to the Republican presidential candidate please ask John McCain why he wants to continue President Bush?s Mideast policy when it has proved so ruinous for American taxpayers?


Israel and Syria admit the start of formal peace talks in Istanbul


Bush Team Criticizes New Report About Iran The statement, following an even angrier attack on NBC the day before, appeared to reflect a heightened sensitivity to what Mr. Bush?s aides view as mischaracterizations of his intentions in confronting Iran over its pursuit of nuclear enrichment, its involvement in Iraq and its support of the militant Islamic groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian areas.


Olmert warns of Syria concessions Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has described peace talks with Syria as "exciting", but warned that they might involve "painful concessions".


Bush trip fails to advance policy goals or bolster Arab moderates Israeli officials are still hopeful that the United States will play a leading role in preventing Iran from producing nuclear weapons. They say they showed Bush new intelligence on Iran?s nuclear program and came away with the impression that the U.S. leader means business on Iran.


US welcomes Syrian-Israeli talks but stresses Palestinian track


Israel-Syria peace deal could threaten Iran, Hezbollah


Global Peace Index: Israel hits rock bottom Iceland is the world's most peaceful nation while Israel ranked 136th out of 140 nations, according to the "Global Peace Index," compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit.....The United States slipped from 96th last year, but was still ahead of foe Iran which ranked 105th. Iran is ahead of Israel on that list, the irony.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Headlines for 05-19-08

Unanswered 9/11 questions This alarming statement is based on evidence from many sources, including observations of the structural behaviour of the towers as they collapsed, the known characteristics of steel framed buildings, eyewitness testimony of explosions, and research into the chemical composition of dust recovered from the collapse zone.


Thousands of Gazans believed to have gone abroad for terror training Up to a couple thousand Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are believed to have traveled overseas for military training in recent years, senior defense officials warned on Monday as the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) revealed that it recently captured a former Fatah operative who had undergone advanced weapons training in Iran. Major BS alert.


Palestinians cool to embrace from al-Qaida leader In his latest message, Osama bin Laden portrays himself as the only true defender of the Palestinians. But the Palestinians, even the Islamic militants of Hamas, didn't seem too enthusiastic Monday over the bear hug from the fugitive al-Qaida leader.


Egyptian FM: US is fueling Middle East turmoil


Pelosi: More must be done to stop Iran The Democratic Pelosi, the No. 3-ranking politician in the US after the president and the vice president, is leading a blue-ribbon panel of 13 congressmen to Israel for the state's 60th anniversary.


US House speaker: Nothing should be ruled out in order to stop Iran


Obama's Plan to Talk With Iran Shows 'Weak Judgment,' Kyl Says


Deputy IDF chief, top US military official discuss Iran IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Dan Harel met this past weekend with the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, to discuss the Iranian threat, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.


Bush?s Nazi-Iran Analogy


An American president in Israel


Congressional Leader Pelosi Says She Agrees With Bush Over Backing Israel "I don't know what would be gained by a military strike other than to strengthen the president of Iran and increase the price of oil, but I think we shouldn't take anything off the table," she said.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Headlines for 05-18-08

Bin Laden calls on Muslims to end Israeli Gaza blockade: website It called on Muslims, especially those in Egypt, to work to break the "unjust blockade" on Gaza, which has resulted in "dozens of deaths."


Olmert: Bush reassured Israel Olmert added that he and the U.S. president also had in-camera discussions "on the most sensitive and important issues regarding bilateral relations, including the issues that top the agenda, namely the Iranian and Syrian issues, the situation in Lebanon, the negotiations with the Palestinians and the situation in the Gaza Strip."


Iranian security authorities detain elements of terrorist cell Iranian Interior Ministry announced on Saturday the detention of a terrorist cell working for the interest of the United States.


Report: US willing to mediate between Israel, Syria London-based al-Hayat newspaper quotes Israeli official as saying President Bush has asked Turkey to boost its mediation efforts, in bid to distance Syrians from Hizbullah


Israel must be held to same nuclear scrutiny as Iran

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Headlines for 05-17-08

Bush: Mideast must push back against Iran, Syria Israel itself got no such public criticism when Bush spent two days there earlier this week


War With Iran Might Be Closer Than You Think by Philip Giraldi


Why All of Our Efforts Won't Stop an Attack on Iran A cruise missile strike on an alleged training camp site won?t end there. It will be designed to provoke an Iranian response and legitimate further U.S. attacks, not only on Iran but Syria and Lebanon, probably in coordination with Israel. Some in Israel badly want the U.S. to behead all their main enemies in the region before their good friend George Bush leaves the White House.


DHS Wants to Spy on Americans, Dems Charge The Department of Homeland Security wants to set up a new program to illegally spy on Americans, two senior Democratic lawmakers charged Thursday in a letter urging colleagues to deny funds for the program.


World's Deadliest Weapon

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Headlines for 05-16-08

US unveils deals with Saudi on nuclear power, oil protection


US warns China over weapon links in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan The United States has warned Beijing over reported use of Chinese weapons by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the Asian giant's continued sale of arms to Iran, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said.


World powers work out details of new offer to Iran Six world powers have completed the details of a "refreshed" offer they will present to Iran in an effort to persuade it to halt its controversial nuclear activities, a US official said Friday.



Iraq victory within four years: McCain


President Bush Unable to Win Saudi Support on Gas Prices, Oil Production


U.S. sees need for "tangible action" on Iran: Israel Regev described diplomatic efforts so far to exert pressure on Iran as "positive," but added: "It is clearly not sufficient and it's clear that additional steps will have to be taken."


Paulson headed to Mideast later this month Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will visit four nations in the Middle East later this month to discuss foreign investment, the fight against terrorist financing and Iran.


What's next for the Ron Paul revolution?


Bush skirted main goal in Middle East in favor of threatening Iran In 22 minutes, Bush offered one of the strongest demonstrations of support for Israel ever made by an American president. And he reawakened lingering hopes among hawks in Israel or the United States for a U.S. military strike to thwart Iran's nuclear program.


Bin Laden warns Israel is target "Sixty years ago, the Israeli state didn't exist. Instead, it was established on the land of Palestine raped by force," he said. "Israelis are occupying invaders whom we should fight."


Lies of Aggression It is members of the Bush Regime and US generals who continue to lie through their teeth about Iranian support for insurgents, for which they can supply no evidence, and about Iranian nuclear weapons programs, for which the IAEA inspectors can find no sign


Obama says Bush policies strengthened Iran, Hamas Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama said on Friday President George W. Bush's "failed policies" had strengthened U.S. enemies like Iran and Hamas.


McCain Accused Of Hamas Hypocrisy In an interview on Sky News two years ago, McCain told James Rubin he was willing to negotiate with the militant Palestinian group Hamas.


Eisen: Iran war would drain Israel Open conflict with Iran would be a defeat for Israel, an Israeli government spokesperson said in Dublin.


An Ocean Apart, Bush, McCain Play to Neocon Dreams

Friday, May 16, 2008

Headlines for 05-15-08

Bush to press Saudi king on oil prices and Iran


Iran calls UN sanctions illegal, offers a proposal for talks


Maliki Stalls US Plan to Frame Iran when US munitions experts went to Karbala to see the alleged cache of Iranian weapons, they found nothing that they could credibly link to Iran.


Obama attacks Bush over Iran barb


Top U.S. officer says would prefer no war on Iran


Top US commando says strain of war limits forces elsewhere The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are making such heavy use of the nation's Green Berets and other elite warriors that they cannot fulfill their roles in other parts of the world, the military's top commando told The Associated Press


Bush: Allowing Iran to Obtain Nuclear Weapons Is 'Unforgivable Betrayal of Future Generations' In a speech to the Knesset, or parliament, Bush took special aim at Iran, saying the United States stands with Israel in opposing moves by Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons.


The Myth of the Iranian Sanctuary by Scott Ritter


Iran: Will it be jaw-jaw or war-war? by Patrick J. Buchanan With Israel, the Israeli lobby, the neocons and Dick Cheney insisting on air strikes, and even Hillary Clinton talking about Iran being "obliterated," the last course would seem the least probable.


Condi Stomps the Mullahs by Philip Giraldi The war drums are again beating. It's beginning to look like the neocons have cranked up their useful idiots in the Bush administration for a fall offensive, target Iran. And maybe also Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinians. The bad guys' list, which is remarkably similar to a roll call of Israel's enemies, seems to have expanded both vertically and horizontally at a time when the U.S. military is using paper clips and chewing gum to hold together its efforts in Iraq.


Israel: Bush means business on Iran nukes Israel is fully satisfied with the results of the visit of George W. Bush, including policy on Iran's nuclear program, senior officials in Jerusalem said Thursday.


Frank Israeli film examines 1982 Beirut massacres


US victims of attacks in Israel sue Swiss bank American victims of bombings and rocket attacks in Israel have sued Swiss bank UBS AG for more than $500 million, accusing the bank of helping fund the militants behind the attacks through dealings with Iran.


Olmert to hand Bush a weapons wish list During U.S. President George W. Bush's visit to Israel, which is scheduled to begin this morning with the American president landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to ask Bush to upgrade substantially the security relationship between Israel and the U.S., according to sources close to Olmert.



Bush says Iran uses Hezbollah to upset Lebanon


Bush Speech Criticized as Attack on Obama President Bush used a speech to the Israeli Parliament on Thursday to denounce those who would negotiate with ?terrorists and radicals? ? a remark that was widely interpreted as a rebuke to Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential contender, who has argued that the United States should talk directly with countries like Iran and Syria.


Australia to take Ahmadinejad to court Kevin Rudd made a pre-election pledge in October that a Labor government would use the 1948 genocide convention to take legal action against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for threatening to ?wipe Israel off the map.?



Obama vs. The Lobby


Rosen lawyer wants Jews to 'rise up' U.S. Jews should "rise up" against the classified information case the government has brought against two former AIPAC employees, the lawyer for one of them said


U.S. looks set to offer Israel powerful new radar

Headlines for 05-04-08

Al-Tanf camp: Trauma continues for Palestinians fleeing Iraq


Are these Syrian nuclear pictures faked? Doubts about their authenticity have been raised by Professor William Beeman, head of anthropology at the University of Minnesota, who has had a long involvement with the Middle East.
He posted on a Los Angeles Times website a note received from a "colleague with US security clearance" pointing out "irregularities". The unnamed colleague said a picture taken before the bombing looked as if it had been digitally enhanced, noting that the lower part of the building, the annexe and the windows pointing south appeared much sharper than the rest.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Iran: Will it be jaw-jaw or war-war? by Patrick J. Buchanan

Iran: Will it be jaw-jaw or war-war?

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Posted: May 06, 2008
1:00 am Eastern

© 2008

Is war with Iran inevitable, even imminent? Or is peace at hand?

From the public diplomacy of the administration, either conclusion may be reached. Consider:

"West Offers Iran 'Refreshed' Deal," ran the headline in the May 3 Washington Times. The story described an offer to Iran, agreed to by all five members of the Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China – of a sweetened grand bargain, if Tehran will suspend its enrichment of uranium.

Blessing the offering in London was Condi Rice.

Details will not be made public, but the offer is said to include Western aid to Iran for a civilian nuclear program, a light-water reactor and a five-year stock of enriched uranium held for Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

America's contribution would be support for Iran's admission to the World Trade Organization, a conference to discuss regional security in the Gulf, a U.S. offer to sell Iran spare parts for its U.S.-built civilian aircraft and a beginning of the lifting of three decades of U.S. sanctions.

News of this offer, plus the relaxed mood in Washington, which is utterly unlike the tense atmosphere prior to March 2003, suggests that war with Iran is far from the mind of this city.

(Column continues below)




But to take the warnings and threats of the civilian and military leaders of this administration at face value would lead one to conclude the opposite – that war with Iran is indeed inevitable, and probably soon. Consider:

Last month, Gen. David Petraeus was asked by Joe Lieberman, "Is it fair to say that the Iranian-backed special groups in Iraq are responsible for the murder of hundreds of American soldiers and thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilians?"

"It certainly is. ... That is correct," answered the general.

The next day, Petraeus testified, "Unchecked, the 'special groups' pose the greatest long-term threat to the viability of a democratic Iraq."

Petraeus has since been promoted to command of all U.S. forces in the region.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, known as an opponent of war on Iran, followed Petraeus, accusing Tehran of being "hell-bent on acquiring nuclear weapons." Last week, Gates was out front again. "What the Iranians are doing is killing American servicemen and -women inside Iraq."

Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, is now also pounding the war drum. Iran's "irresponsible influence," its support of terror and its pursuit of atomic weapons, he said last week, is creating a "perfect nightmare" for the region. The Pentagon, said the chairman, is planning for "potential military ... action" because of Iran's "increasingly lethal and malign influence."

"It would be a mistake to think that we are out of combat capacity," Mullen declared. A second U.S. carrier just entered the Persian Gulf.

CBS reports that a target list of U.S. military planners includes the headquarters of the Quds Force and plants where Iran produces enhanced IEDs and the rockets used against the Green Zone. The network also reports that the State Department has begun drafting an ultimatum.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmal Khalilzad has chimed in: "Iran and Syria must stop the flow of weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq, and their malign interference in Iraq."

Iraqi Maj. Gen. Qasim Atta says 700 rockets and mortars have been fired at Coalition forces and the Green Zone, and most of the "Katyusha and Grad rockets and smart roadside bombs" were Iranian-made. The U.S. military is preparing a dossier on Iran's role in the Iraq war.

In the Landon Lecture at Kansas State, CIA Director Michael Hayden declared, "It ... is the policy of the Iranian government, approved to the highest level ... to facilitate the killing of Americans in Iraq." That day, State designated Iran the "most significant" and "most active" state sponsor of terror on earth.

From the White House to State to the Pentagon to CIA, the Bush administration is now singing from the same song sheet: Iran's Quds Force, with the knowledge of President Ahmadinejad, is arming and directing "special groups" to kill U.S. soldiers and prevent a U.S. victory.

Is the White House rattling sabers to prod Iran into talks?

Perhaps. But the administration has also painted itself, and us, into a corner with the war talk. And there are only three ways out.

The first is that Iran halts the attacks, ends its intervention and negotiates on the six-nation offer. The second is that Iran rejects the deal, refuses to stop the attacks and U.S. air strikes begin.

The third is that Bush is bluffing and goes home railing against an axis-of-evil nation killing American soldiers, having done nothing.

With Israel, the Israeli lobby, the neocons and Dick Cheney insisting on air strikes, and even Hillary Clinton talking about Iran being "obliterated," the last course would seem the least probable.

We are likely headed either for negotiations with Iran or war, after Bush returns from the 60th anniversary celebration of Israel's birth.

"To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war," said Winston Churchill in 1954, whose career often contradicted his wise counsel.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Headlines for 04-30-08

"Hostile" Iran Sparks U.S. Attack Plan A second American aircraft carrier steamed into the Persian Gulf on Tuesday as the Pentagon ordered military commanders to develop new options for attacking Iran.


'Provocative' Clinton angers Iran Tehran has complained to the UN about remarks made last week by Hillary Clinton on the circumstances under which the US might attack Iran


Iran discusses package of nuclear proposals with Russia Iran and Russia on Monday discussed the outlines of "serious proposals" aimed at assuring the international community that Tehran's nuclear program is peaceful, state media reported.


Iran Remains World's Top Sponsor of Terrorism, says US Report A U.S. State Department report says Iran remains the world's most significant state sponsor of terrorism, and that al-Qaida is regaining strength in enclaves in Pakistan. The congressionally-mandated report says North Korea might soon be removed from the U.S. terrorism list. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department. Making the case for war.


Warships 'to remind Iran of US power' The decision to send a second US aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf should be a "reminder" to Iran of Washington's military might but was not an escalation of force in the region, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday.


Syria nuclear disclosure a warning to North Korea, Iran: Bush


Ahmadinejad slams 'world powers' for spreading war, terrorism http://in.news.yahoo.com/indiaabroad/20080429/r_t_ians_wl_asia/twl-ahmadinejad-slams-world-powers-for-s-d5d6288_1.html


Al Qaeda, cohorts remain worst terrorism threat: U.S.


Americans unload prized belongings to make ends meet


Hamas are Iran's proxy warriors: Rice In a speech Tuesday to the American Jewish Committee in Washington that underscored growing US concerns about Tehran, Rice mentioned Iran as not just a threat in the Palestinian territories, but also in Lebanon, Iraq and even in Afghanistan.


Cheney Lawyer Claims Congress Has No Authority Over Vice-President The lawyer for US vice-president Dick Cheney claimed today that the Congress lacks any authority to examine his behaviour on the job.


Israeli president urges world to control Iran, dreads results if Nazis had nuclear bombs The world could have faced destruction if Hitler had succeeded in acquiring nuclear weapons, Israeli President Shimon Peres said Wednesday at a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony, calling on the world to shoulder today's responsibilities ? a reference to Iran's nuclear program.


Leading article: Intelligence or propaganda? There is no independent way to verify any of this, especially since the installation has now been destroyed. We must rely on the integrity of the Israeli and US intelligence services. That is where we hit a problem.


The Iraq War Morphs Into The Iranian War Under cover of the mayhem and propaganda, Israel can grab the remains of the West Bank and have another go at grabbing the water resources of southern Lebanon.


Israel pullout risks Iran foothold on Golan: minister Next we'll hear Iran was behind the grassy knoll. Israel and its minions in the US seek to scapegoat Iran for just about all of the ills in the Middle East.


UNIFIL denies Israeli charges it ignores Hezbollah activity


How Daniel Pipes Destroyed a New York City Principal Pipes began his efforts to kill the school with an op/ed in the neoconservative New York Sun

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Headlines for 04-28-08

US accuses Iran and Syria of trying to destabilize Iraq


India and Pakistan snub US A MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR gas pipeline project linking Iran, Pakistan and India that is bitterly opposed by Washington is set to go ahead after Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a historic first visit to meet leaders of the new coalition government in Islamabad.



Top UN nuclear official in Iran for more talks


Iran tells Russia of plan to solve world problems


Iran discusses package of nuclear proposals with Russia


Iran says Iraq situation makes U.S. attack unlikely Iran said on Sunday a "disastrous situation" facing the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan coupled with Washington's domestic issues made any U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic unlikely.


Iran-led radicals getting stronger, Israel warns Mofaz was in Washington as part of the US-Israeli strategic dialogue which meets every six months to discuss common security concerns.


Lebanese army: 12 Israeli jets flew over Beirut The Lebanese army reported that Israeli Air Force jets flew over Beirut on Monday. The army said in a statement that 12 "enemy" Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace before noon Monday by flying missions over Beirut and elsewhere in the country. The IDF said it will not discuss its operational activities.


Assad says facility Israel bombed not nuclear: paper The Syrian site Israel bombed in September was not part of a nuclear weapons program, but was a military facility under construction, President Bashar al-Assad said in remarks published on Sunday.....Assad said it was illogical for Syria to seek a nuclear bomb. "Where would we use it? On Israel it would kill the Palestinians. I do not see this as logical."


Complicity in Acts of Aggression The Israelis ? allegedly the source of this "intelligence" ? apparently believe (and want gullible members of the Best Congress Money Can Buy to believe) that ten-foot tall Korean nuclear scientists and engineers have gone into the nuclear-reactor export business.


Barak defers U.S. trip in wake of CIA briefing over Syrian strike Barak made the decision a few days ago. The postponement is aimed at avoiding the impression that his meetings were in any way connected to the U.S. decision to disclosure information on the Syrian facility


IAF Chief: Hitler wasn't believed, we can't make that mistake with Ahmadinejad Shkedi made these remarks in a special interview with "60 Minutes" in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary, excerpts of which aired on Channel 2 television Sunday.


Is War With Iran Imminent? Standing behind this developing pro-war Popular Front, the central factor in turning the U.S. toward a policy of confrontation rather than constructive engagement with Iran has been the Israel lobby.


The neoconning of a nation Cheney and fellow militarists are pushing hard for attacks on Syria, Lebanon and Iran before President George W. Bush leaves office. Neocons have flocked to Sen. John McCain's banner -- in spite of Hillary Clinton's vow to "obliterate" Iran if it attacked Israel with nuclear weapons. They believe U.S. attacks on Arab states and/or Iran would prove decisive in winning the presidency for McCain this November. A U.S. attack on Syria could well be the first step of a broader air war against Lebanon and Iran.




Spy Games -- Israel Targeted Again The arrest of a New Jersey engineer on charges of conspiracy to pass U.S. military secrets to Israel Tuesday shows a consistent, continued pattern of Israeli spying on its major benefactor, the United States, according to espionage experts


Iran-led radicals getting stronger, Israel warns


Syrian reactor capacity was 1-2 weapons/year: CIA A diplomat close to the U.N. nuclear watchdog and outside analysts have said the U.S. disclosure did not amount to proof of an illicit arms program because there was no sign of a reprocessing plant needed to convert spent fuel from the plant into bomb-grade plutonium.


Syria says US reactor charges as fake as Iraq WMD claims


Hayden: Syrian site could have produced fuel for 2 weapons BS gets thicker...


N.Koreans may have died in Israel raid in Syria: NHK


Running a Risk with Iran Our Israeli friends like to remind us of the danger Iran presents to them, but between the two nations, which one is the more dangerous? Iran is too far from Israel to bring its air, sea or land forces to bear against it. Iran might be able to lob ballistic missiles at Israeli cities, but any warhead it throws at Israel would pale in comparison to what Israel throws back (remember, Israel?s the nation with nukes, not Iran).


Skepticism toward Bush claims about Syria and North Korea


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