2008 - The year to deal with Iran.
Iran has stalled and teased and played the European Union three of Britain, France and Germany as an expert fisherman might handle the big one. For more than 18 years Iran violated its safeguards agreement with the Inter-national Atomic Energy Agency, in effect violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty, by conducting clandestine enrichment research and experiments without declaring them to inspectors. [snip]It is now obvious that Iran skilfully played for time until they reached a rather high level of technical mastery of the enrichment process. This is the price paid by the west and the Russians and Chinese for their reluctance to apply meaningful sanctions to Iran two and even three years ago. --Change Tack on Nuclear Iran, by Peter Zimmerman
2008 Decisive for Stopping Iran: "Next year will be a critical one in efforts to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz said."
"Iran's nuclear program is proceeding like an express train. The diplomatic efforts to thwart Iran are like a slow train. If we cannot derail the Iranian train from the tracks, we are on the verge of a nuclear era that will totally alter the regional reality," the former defense minister and IDF chief of General Staff told the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish organizations in New York. (IVAJ English)
A majority of likely voters – 52% – would support a U.S. military strike to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon, and 53% believe it is likely that the U.S. will be involved in a military strike against Iran before the next presidential election, a new Zogby America telephone poll shows.
U.S. Fifth Fleet in Gulf exercise for possible war in Iran
The U.S. Fifth Fleet conducted a crisis response exercise that included amphibious, air and medical forces. The five-day exercise by the USS Wasp, led by Commander Task Force 59, was scheduled to end on Nov. 5.The U.S. Fifth Fleet has been operating two strike groups in the Gulf. The USS Enterprise and USS Kearsarge have also been training in the region.
Pentagon seeks huge new bunker-buster for Iran
The Democrat-controlled Congress is examining a request to develop a new bomb designed for a U.S. air strike on Iran.The Bush administration wants $88 million for the production of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP. The 30,000-pound conventional bomb, meant for deployment by the B-2 aircraft, would be the most powerful bunker-buster ever designed.
U.S. Forces in Iraq Could End Up 'Hostages' if Iran Was Attacked, Naharnet
Iran wants the Bomb so it can use it, The Telegraph
Our future under the moslem yoke, The Lone Voice, (book "Schmoozing with Terrorists)
Terror leaders describe America bound by IslamDeath by stoning, church bells banned, new protection tax for all non-MuslimsPosted: (November 7, 2007 WorldNetDaily). Madonna and Britney Spears stoned to death? Bars and clubs closed down? Church bells banned? That's just a taste of what Americans have to look forward to if terrorists ever took over the U.S. and imposed Islamic law, according to a new book.In one chapter of the recently released "Schmoozing with Terrorists: From Hollywood to the Holy Land, Jihadists Reveal their Global Plans – to a Jew!" author and WND Jerusalem bureau chief Aaron Klein petitioned Mideast terror leaders to describe day-to-day life in the U.S. if al-Qaida won the war on terror. (continue reading)
Tribes of Terror (book), Powerline
Our friends at the Claremont Review of Books (subscribe here) advise us that the upcoming winter issue promises to be one of the best yet, with essays by Victor Davis Hanson on the inevitability of mistakes (but not victory) in warfare, Andrew Busch on the 2008 presidential race, Harry V. Jaffa on the moral universe of Lincoln's favorite Shakespeare play, Macbeth, and much more.Stanley Kurtz's review/essay on Waziristan makes a signal contribution to our understanding of the current crisis in Pakistan, how Islamic terrorists are taking over and what can be done about it. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have made Pakistan’s mountainous northern region of Waziristan into a headquarters for the worldwide Islamist revolution.
Iranian filmmakers expose Christian murder cases "A Cry From Iran"
A Cry From Iran, co-directed by Bishop Haik Hovsepian’s two adult sons, tells the martyr’s story through the eyes of his sons.“This was not a payback to the regime but this was an honest telling of our dad’s story,” said co-director Andre Hovsepian, who was only 10-years-old when his father was murdered.
“We could have been with the people who make bombs and think how we can get revenge,” he said. “But one thing we want to emphasise is prayers are very important. As a result of those prayers, we have found the peace and comfort after the years of crisis and challenges in our lives.”
Also see "Inevitable Iran-Turkey-Syria-Russia Alliance ", Fars News
"Déjà Vu: On The Wrong Side Once Again"
Various alternative views:
Iran and the coming World War III, huh???, Shadow Democracy
Iran Intel: CIA Spooks Won't "Cook the Books" for Cheney, Jo Swift
Condi Rice: U.S. Is OK With Iran Having Nuclear Power: Updated!, Crooks and Liars
New U.S. Spy Report On Iran Held Up By Fierce Resistance to Cheney's Hard Line, The 'Skeeter Bites Report
THIS WAR WHEN IT HAPPENS WON,T BE A WAR UNLESS AHMADINEBUBU MAKES THAT CHOICE. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT WILL BE A MASSIVE BOMBARDMENT THAT WILL PROBALY NOT ACCOMPLISH MUCH, CONSIDERING THE IRANIANS HAVE HAD LOTS OF ADVANCE WARNING TO GET THE MOST CRUCIAL OF THEIR NUCLEAR PROGRAM DEEP , DEEP UNDERGROUND. THATS PROBALY WHY THE DEPT OF DEFENSE HAS GIVEN THE OKAY TO DEVELOP A NEW SUPER BUNKER BUSTER BOMB. ALL SABRE RATTLING ACHEIVES IS GIVING YOUR ENEMY ADVANCE WARNING. THE TIME FOR ACTION WAS 3 YRS AGO. THERE WILL BE NO U.S. TROOPS IN IRAN , MAYBE SOME SPECIAL WARFARE FELLAS, BUT NO CONVENTIONAL FORCES. UNLESS OF COURSE YOU REINSTATE THE DRAFT. THE FACT IS THE ARMED FORCES IS STRETCHED TO THE BREAKING POINT. 4 TEAMS OF SPEC WAR FELLAS CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT NORMALLY TAKES A BATTALION A WEEK IN 1 DAY. SO INDEED I CAN SEE A MASSIVE BOMBARDMENT AND SOME SPEC WAR ACTION BUT NOT MUCH ELSE. MAYBE A NAVAL BLOCKADE TOO?? I CAN SEE AHMADINEBUBU MAKING A CALL TO BEIRUT TO N(ASS)RALLAH. THIS IS A POSSIBLE FLASHPOINT TOO. I TRUST THE ISRAELIS WILL KICK N(ASS)RALLAH IN THE SCROTUM IF GIVEN THE CHANCE AGAIN. BE PREPARED FOR A S@$TSTORM IF IRAN IS BOMBED. BUT I TRUST IF THE BOYS IN LANGLEY HAVE DONE THEIR HOMEWORK, AS WELL AS THE PENTAGON WE,LL DEAL WITH IT SUCESSFULLY. BE PREPARED THOUGH.
Posted by: PALADIN | November 13, 2007 at 06:37 PM
For more than 18 years Iran violated its safeguards agreement with the Inter-national Atomic Energy Agency,...etc etc ..time to pay back wouldnt ya say!..great work Deb!
Posted by: Angel | November 13, 2007 at 08:12 AM
Debbie, as always, this is a super post that contains many intriguing and informative links.
Christofascist saber rattlers clamor for a war with Iran because war will setup an apocalyptic scenario that shall usher in the rapture. All Christians should begin preparing to meet their Maker.
Posted by: ortho | November 13, 2007 at 07:37 AM
Debbie, excellent and thorough post. Iran is coming close to reckoning day and probably the sooner the better as they're getting very rich on the rising oil prices on the global market. If we wait too long, it will only give Ahmadinejad more time to consolidate and strengthen alliances for the fight.
Posted by: Aurora | November 13, 2007 at 04:22 AM
Y'know....there's no way on God's green Earth -- AlBore's greed-based hysteria aside -- that I'll go for Islamofascists taking charge here. Unless this nation has grown so uncaring, stupid and suicidal to elect a Democrat triad to let it happen (aka, Clinton-Reid-Pelosi).
But I'll give the camel jockeys one point: putting Spears out of our misery is one wee plus on their agenda. It's about the only wee plus, though.
Posted by: Skunkfeathers | November 12, 2007 at 07:29 PM
Yup, once again...ask the questions:
- real attack or threat?
- U.S. goals vs Iranian response?
- impact on Sunni/Shi'a power balance?
- U.S. resources and shape of "attack"...air strikes vs ground troops or "other?"
Interesting questions that require answers.
Posted by: Stormwarning | November 12, 2007 at 02:44 PM
This weekends lo down ho down in Texas featuring Deutschmarks and Grits may mean the Great Satan's asymmetrical hudna is about to become the Great Satan's asymmetrical jihad.
Great Post! I wish I had written that!
Posted by: courtneyme109 | November 12, 2007 at 02:07 PM
"Madonna and Britney Spears stoned to death?"
Hmmmm. Maybe Jihad has something to it after all...
We leave them to die in mediocrity..Maybe Islam is more merciful..
Posted by: Caine | November 12, 2007 at 01:16 PM