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Dutch intelligence: 'US to strike Iran in coming weeks'
The Dutch intelligence service, the AIVD, has called off an operation aimed at infiltrating and sabotaging Iran's weapons industry due to an assessment that a US attack on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program is imminent, according to a report in the country's De Telegraaf newspaper on Friday.
The report claimed that the Dutch operation had been "extremely successful," and had been stopped because the US military was planning to hit targets that were "connected with the Dutch espionage action."
The impending air-strike on Iran was to be carried out by unmanned aircraft "within weeks," the report claimed, quoting "well placed" sources.
The Jerusalem Post could not confirm the De Telegraaf report.
According to the report, information gleaned from the AIVD's operation in Iran has provided several of the targets that are to be attacked in the strike, including "parts for missiles and launching equipment."
"Information from the AIVD operation has been shared in recent years with the CIA," the report said.
On Saturday, Iran's Deputy Chief of Staff General Masoud Jazayeri warned that should the United States or Israel attack Iran, it would be the start of another World War.
On Friday, Ma'ariv reported that Israel had made a strategic decision to deny Iran military nuclear capability and would not hesitate "to take whatever means necessary" to prevent Teheran from achieving its nuclear goals.
According to the report, whether the United States and Western countries succeed in thwarting the Islamic Republic's nuclear ambitions diplomatically, through sanctions, or whether a US strike on Iran is eventually decided upon, Jerusalem has begun preparing for a separate, independent military strike. The Dutch intelligence service, the AIVD, has called off an operation aimed at infiltrating and sabotaging Iran's weapons industr... more -
Iraq war's total cost nearing Vietnam's price tag
The total cost of the Iraq war is approaching the Vietnam War's expense, a congressional report estimates, while spending for military operations after 9/11 has exceeded it.The new report by the Congressional Research Service estimates the U.S. has spent $648 billion on Iraq war operations, putting it in range with the $686 billion, in 2008 dollars, spent on the Vietnam War, the second most expensive war behind World War II. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the U.S. has doled out almost $860 billion for military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere around the world.
All estimates, adjusted for inflation, are based on the costs of military operations and don't include expenses for veterans benefits, interest on war-related debts or assistance to war allies, according to the nonpartisan CRS.Here are the report's estimated costs of major wars, in 2008 dollars, and their costs as a percentage of GDP in each of their peak years:
_American Revolution: $1.8 billion; GDP figure not available
_War of 1812: $1.2 billion; 2.2 percent
_Civil War, Union: $45.2 billion; 11.3 percent
_Civil War, Confederacy: $15.2 billion; GDP figure not available
_World War I: $253 billion; 13.6 percent
_World War II: $4.1 trillion; 35.8 percent
_Korean War: $320 billion; 4.2 percent
_Vietnam War: $686 billion; 2.3 percent
_Gulf War: $96 billion; 0.3 percent
_Iraq war: $648 billion; 1 percent
_Afghanstian/Global war on terror: $171 billion; 0.3 percent
_Post 9/11 domestic security: $33 billion; 0.1 percent
_Post 9/11 operations: $859 billion; 1.2 percent The total cost of the Iraq war is approaching the Vietnam War's expense, a congressional report estimates, while spending for mil... more -
US official to attend nuclear talks with Iran
A top US official is to attend talks aimed at persuading Iran to halt its nuclear enrichment program.
Under Secretary of State William Burns will travel to Switzerland with the EU foreign envoy Javier Solana to receive Iran's response to a UN offer.
The US said Mr Burns would not hold separate talks with Iranian negotiator Saeed Jalili, and was there to listen.
In the past, the Bush administration has insisted that no talks will be held with Iran until it suspends its uranium enrichment program. Now, in a clear shift in policy, it seems a meeting is going to take place without that precondition being met.
The Bush administration says Mr Burns's presence is designed to demonstrate the West's unity and to reiterate that the terms of negotiations remain the same - namely that Iran must first halt its uranium enrichment programme for further talks to take place. A top US official is to attend talks aimed at persuading Iran to halt its nuclear enrichment program. ... more -
Bush Backs Israel Strike Plans on Iran
The Sunday Times of London reported this weekend that "President George W. Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be prepared to approve a future military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations with Tehran break down." The Times report quoted a senior Pentagon official as its source.
With increased resistance from the Pentagon and the November elections closing in, the White House may be choosing its next best option in dealing with Tehran: to have Israel launch strikes on Iran's nuclear weapons facilities.
The paper said Bush has told Israel it has an "amber light" to proceed.
“Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you’re ready,” the paper quoted a U.S. official as saying.
Military experts are not sure that Israel's military forces can do the job. Iran has dispersed its nuclear program sites around the country, and some weapons facilities are said to be deep within the earth. The U.S. has special bunker-busting bombs that could destroy such underground laboratories, but Israel does not.
Iran has made clear it will retaliate against Israel and the U.S. if either nation attacks it. Last week, Iran's military demonstrated its reach by firing nine long- and medium-range missiles -- including the modified Shahab-3 ballistic missile, which can easily strike Israel from western Iran.
Political factors may be playing a role in strike plans for both Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Bush is in lame-duck status, and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, the front-runner to win the presidency in November, says he favors the use of diplomacy over force when dealing with Iran.
Olmert is facing a political crisis as corruption charges threaten his hold on office. Some Israeli political analysts say Olmert may order an attack on Iran to bolster his political standing in Jerusalem.
The Times cited one of Olmert's closest friends as quoting the prime minister: "In three months’ time it will be a different Middle East.” The Sunday Times of London reported this weekend that "President George W. Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be pr... more -
Why Bush and Israel WON'T bomb Iran
The inevitable reaction to the bombing of Iran will be the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. That should have been self-evident even without the explicit declaration by one of Iran's highest ranking generals a few days ago.
Iran dominates the whole length of the Strait. They can seal it hermetically with their missiles and artillery, both land based and naval.
If that happens, the price of oil will skyrocket - far beyond the 200 dollars-per-barrel that pessimists dread now. That will cause a chain reaction: a world-wide depression, the collapse of whole industries and a catastrophic rise in unemployment in America, Europe and Japan.
In order to avert this danger, the Americans would need to conquer parts of Iran - perhaps the whole of this large country. The US does not have at its disposal even a small part of the forces they would need. Practically all their land forces are tied down in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The mighty American navy is menacing Iran - but the moment the Strait is closed, it will itself resemble those model ships in bottles. Perhaps it is this danger that made the navy chiefs extricate the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln from the Persian Gulf this week, ostensibly because of the situation in Pakistan.
This leaves the possibility that the US will act by proxy. Israel will attack, and this will not officially involve the US, which will deny any responsibility.
Indeed? Iran has already announced that it would consider an Israeli attack as an American operation, and act as if it had been directly attacked by the US. That is logical.
No Israeli government would ever consider the possibility of starting such an operation without the explicit and unreserved agreement of the US. Such a confirmation will not be forthcoming. The inevitable reaction to the bombing of Iran will be the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz. That should have been self-evident even w... more -
Provoking Iran into war
Stumbling towards disaster - again
Bush asked for - and received - $400,000,000 to conduct covert military operation against Iran.
A quote from the recent Sy Hersch article in the New Yorker
"Operations outside the knowledge and control of commanders have eroded “the coherence of military strategy,†one general says."
Further, it seems the only people in the government (or military) who favor an attack on Iran are Bush and Cheney:
Americans, help wake up your country! It is not the country we used to know anymore. We need new leadership now. Stumbling towards disaster - again ... more -
Bush had his Iraq, McCain will have his Iran
McCain sings about war and doesn't convey an understanding of war. The Iraq War is already crippling the US Economy. A War in Iran will destroy it. McCain sings about war and doesn't convey an understanding of war. The Iraq War is already crippling the US Economy. A War in Ira... more
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McCain sings entire Barbara Ann song. McCain McKaraoke.
McCain sings about bombing Iran and we get a look at what that might look like.
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War with Iran will not stop "nuclear program".
A U.S. military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities could set Tehran's program back years but would raise the risk of retaliation against American troops in the region and of driving Iran to work even harder to make atomic weapons, U.S. experts and officials say.
Any U.S. attack -- something the Pentagon insists is not planned but is subject of frequent speculation as Iran defies calls to rein in its nuclear program -- could involve thousands of sorties and missile launches against hundreds of targets.It would be limited to air strikes, rather than a full-scale attack requiring U.S. ground forces, who are now tied down in Iraq and Afghanistan, analysts said.
But the strike would be hampered by a lack of intelligence on the number and location of the nuclear facilities dispersed throughout Iran, according to nuclear security experts.
At best, many experts say a U.S. strike could delay Iran's nuclear weapons capability by three to five years. Parts of the program would likely survive, perhaps even critical technologies and certainly know-how.
"We could set it back probably at least several months maybe a few years but then we run the risk of stimulating them to work even harder next time, burying facilities even deeper, putting in more air defence batteries," said Charles Ferguson, nuclear expert at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank.facilities are scattered throughout the country and could be included as targets, experts speculated. Satellite pictures suggest Iran has dug tunnels around Natanz, for example, which could contain uranium enrichment equipment.
Nuclear research facilities in Iran's capital might be targeted as well, but such strikes raise the risk of civilian casualties and the attendant risk of international uproar, said U.S. defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.The military risks, however, are high, according to both defense analysts and officials.
Primary among them is the possibility of retaliation against U.S. troops by Islamist militant groups Washington says Tehran supports. The U.S. military accuses Iran of training and equipping the Shi'ite militias in Iraq, which are seen by U.S. commanders as one of the largest threats in that country.
But particularly frightening to officials inside the Pentagon is the possibility Iran would use suicide boats to attack U.S. ships in the Gulf or to disrupt crude oil trade. A U.S. military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities could set Tehran's program back years but would raise the risk of retali... more -
Nancy Pelosi Altars Passed Congressional Bill to Favor Israel
Does anybody elected official represent the United States anymore?
Nancy Pelosi just takes it upon herself to cut out portions of a passed bill? Who does she think she is? What kind of out-of-control-power does our country's leadership possess?
Thank God Ron Paul is actively aware of the sly workings of elected officials.
People we can't continue to have this kind of representation and have a democratic republic much longer. If you care at all, call your elected official and let them know you care and disapprove of what Nancy did. Does anybody elected official represent the United States anymore? ... more -
Ron Paul on war with Iran
Ron Paul discusses why it is wrong to go to war with Iran.
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'US builds 4 bases on Iraq-Iran border'
The US military has constructed four advanced bases 20 miles from Iraq's border with Iran, a senior Iraqi police officer has announced.
The bases, equipped with missile launch pads, have been set up over the past four months on the Iraq-Iran border; Iraqi al-Noor newspaper quoted the official as saying.
He added that one of the bases has been located 30 km (20 miles) from the first border town with Iran and houses remote-controlled launching pads as well as radar systems similar to ones used in Kuwait during the first Persian Gulf war.
"The bases do not serve military intentions and its staff would not be military personnel."
According to the official, the bases are only precautionary measures in case of a military strike against Israel by Iran.
A team consisting of high-profile US marines, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) alongside Pentagon experts oversee the bases. The US military has constructed four advanced bases 20 miles from Iraq's border with Iran, a senior Iraqi police officer has anno... more -
Ahmadinejad: I have proof of US plot
The Iranian president Ahmadinejad says he has evidence that the US attempted to assassinate him during his recent visit to Iraq.
“If US echelons even think of denying the attempt, we will put forth concrete evidence to expose their plot,” said Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday.
He criticized Iraqi authorities for being quick to deny the attempt on behalf of Washington and for claming that President Ahmadinejad was in no danger.
“Unfortunately a select few in Iraq have interfered in what does not concern them and have denied the attempts without providing any kind of proof,” he said.
“What business did they have to act as the White House mouthpiece? Our criticism was directed at Washington and in no way concerned Iraqis,” he continued.
Ahmadinejad said last week that the enemy had plotted to assassinate him during his stay in Baghdad, suggesting that the plot had failed due to last-minute changes in his schedule.
Iraq's Supreme Court, however, claimed that the Iranian President was in no danger in his visit. The Iranian president Ahmadinejad says he has evidence that the US attempted to assassinate him during his recent visit to Iraq. ... more -
Just Foreign Policy - Get Involved -- It's a Slippery Slope to War
It's a Slippery Slope to War
Ask Your Representative to Oppose H. Con. Res. 362
Over the last three weeks 77 House Democrats and 92 Republicans have agreed to cosponsor a new resolution against Iran that demands that President Bush “initiate an international effort” to impose a land, sea, and air blockade on Iran to prevent it from importing gasoline and to inspect all cargo entering or leaving Iran.
Such a blockade imposed without United Nations authority (which the resolution does not call for) would be widely construed as an act of war. Some congressional sources say the House could vote on the resolution, H.Con.Res. 362, as early as next week.
Please send a letter asking your Representative to oppose this dangerous path that could lead directly to war with Iran.
Take Action Now! It's a Slippery Slope to War Ask Your Representative to Oppose H. Con. Res. 362 ... more -
Kristol: Bush might bomb Iran if he 'thinks Senator Obama’s going to win’
On Fox News Sunday this morning, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol said that President Bush is more likely to attack Iran if he believes Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is going to be elected. On Fox News Sunday this morning, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol said that President Bush is more likely to attack Iran if he beli... more
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War with Iran?!
There is a resolution in the House of Congress to authorize a war with Iran.
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UN watchdog warns against Iran attack
The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said a military strike on Iran would turn the Middle East into a fireball and prompt Tehran to launch a crash course to build nuclear weapons.Russia also warned against military threats on Friday, after The New York Times quoted U.S. officials as saying Israel had carried out a large military exercise, apparently a rehearsal for a potential bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities."A military strike, in my opinion, would be worse than anything," International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Mohamad ElBaradei told Al Arabiya television in an interview aired on Frida"It would turn the region into a fireball."
He said any attack would only make the Islamic Republic more determined in its confrontation with the West over its nuclear programme."If you do a military strike, it will mean that Iran, if it is not already making nuclear weapons, will launch a crash course to build nuclear weapons with the blessing of all Iranians, even those in the West.""If a military strike is carried out against Iran at this time ... it would make me unable to continue my work," he added.Russia's U.N. envoy said threatening Iran with military action could undermine newfound momentum in the drive by six world powers to resolve the standoff with Tehran.European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana went to Tehran last week for talks on the matter.Diplomats say that on behalf of major powers, he offered Iran preliminary talks on its nuclear work and a freeze on moves to harsher sanctions if it limited its uranium enrichment to current levels for six weeks.The United States accuses Iran of seeking to develop nuclear bombs. It has not ruled out an attack on the Islamic Republic, but says it is focusing on diplomatic pressure. Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful but has refused to suspend uranium enrichment despite three rounds of U.N. sanctions imposed since 2006. It has also turned down offers of economic benefits to suspend its uranium enrichment, which it says is to produce fuel for electricity generation.A U.S. official said this stance could lead to a new round of sanctions against Iran.ElBaradei said sanctions alone would not be effective in persuading Iran to halt nuclear enrichment, saying that more international dialogue was required. The U.N. nuclear watchdog chief said a military strike on Iran would turn the Middle East into a fireball and prompt Tehran to launch ... more -
Russia warns against using force on Iran
Russia's foriegn minister Sergey Lavrov has warned about using force against Iran over the nuclear issue (which Iran says is peaceful).
He added:
"We have been repeatedly asking our American and Israeli colleagues, who insist that Iran is certainly involved in making an atomic bomb, to provide factual information about this matter. So far we have seen none.”
This comes as The New York Times reported that the Israeli military had done a rehearsal for a potential attack on Iran.
All this happening as a plan is gaining support again to build a international nuclear facility in Iran which would fulfill Iran's right to enriching uranium yet prevent the nuclear substance from being diverted for military use -(the plan was rejected by Bush admin 3 years ago even though the idea was advanced by Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists).
For more See:
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail.aspx?id=59516§ioni... Russia's foriegn minister Sergey Lavrov has warned about using force against Iran over the nuclear issue (which Iran says is peac... more -
'Iraq not central to US attack on Iran'
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says Washington has 'other alternatives' for launching attacks in the Middle East than Iraq. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says Washington has 'other alternatives' for launching attacks in the Middle East than... more
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In the great tradition, Obama is a hawk
In his latest column for the New Statesman, John Pilger reaches back into the history of the Democratic Party and describes the tradition of war-making and expansionism that Barack Obama has now left little doubt he will honour. In his latest column for the New Statesman, John Pilger reaches back into the history of the Democratic Party and describes the tradit... more
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