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