Middle East on fire

www.debka.com... 'Arab sources: A major military surprise is close. Galant scandal a smokescreen'

Don't know what to make of this one. It is Debka so I probably shouldn't make much of it at all...

It is a little ominous but to be taken with a major major grain of salt.

reply to post by ZeroKnowledge


Maybe you don't make the distinction but in my posts I blame Netanyahu, Lieberman and Barak and the few nutjobs who are ministers.

I'm blaming the Israeli government.

Not the Israelis. Israelis are just pawns in the game, like most people in the world are. And if they would just rise up and take back their government from those right-wing nutjobs things could be fixed.

Or do you think when someone bashes the US government policies or corruption it's also anti-America?

[edit on 20-8-2010 by Vitchilo]

Iran ready to defend sovereignty of regional states, says Ahmadinejad
Sure...

Israeli jets fly low over Lebanon
Another day, another provocation by the Israeli government.

Declassified Senate Investigation Files Reveal Clandestine Israeli PR Campaign in America
Gee ya think?

Mideast Direct Talks `Very, Very Close,' State Department Spokesman Says
Good but in view of the last 60 years nothing will come out of it.

[edit on 20-8-2010 by Vitchilo]

[edit on 20-8-2010 by Vitchilo]

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Goodbye Iraq: Last U.S. Combat Brigade Pulls Out
One ``Iranian counterattack target`` is now gone.

As the troops who pulled out are now in Kuwait, and Kuwait is much smaller than Iraq, they'll make an easier target for an Iranian counter-attack now.


Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct talks

Peace won't happen here.

1) Israel are not interested in Peace because they hold all the cards.

2) The US is a mediator when the US is bias. It arms and funds and supports Israel.

3) Abbas no longer has the authority to speak for the people of the Gaza Strip. Abbas and Fatah's political movement in recent years has become to be seen as nothing but appeasers and collaborators of the Israeli regime, rather than equal partners of peace.

4) Much has been made of Hamas rejecting the talks. Hamas rejects the talks because they were not invited. Therefore, they are not in the official negotiating process, and no peace will come out of their exclusion. As they are a democratically-elected movement in Gaza, and a movement which is an armed group fighting Israel, it is something of a mistake to leave them out of peace talks.

5) There is no neutral mediator to mediate over the talks. It will be the Palestinians forced to concede, concede, and concede just like Oslo.

6) If the talks do begin to go anywhere, elements within Israel's government, military, and supporters of Israel in powerful positions in the US will strive to pick holes or outright sabotage the talks, or Israel's government will do something to stop the peace talks, as we saw when Israel stopped progressive talks with Syria mediated by Turkey by on the first occasion bombing Gaza, leading to Syria breaking off talks in protest, and on the second occasion killing Turkish citizens, leading to Turkey to walk away as mediator in disgust.

Perhaps this time, such an Israeli distraction from the danger of peace talks proceeding may be an attack on Lebanon or Iran, or Gaza, seeing as Hamas has not been invited.


In short, these are talks between and Israeli government and a Palestinian side that has no authority over many Palestinians, and and for those who don't support Fatah, and therefore has no right to soley negotitate on behalf of Palestinians.

Any peace talks must include all Palestinian parties, and make all parties and their supporters on either side binding to a lasting agreement that will work.

As it is, you have peace talks mediated by a mediator that is bias in favour of Israel, negotiating Israeli talks with a Palestinian side that has questionable and dubious authority over many Palestinians.

It would be laughable for it's diabolical absurdity if it was not so tragic in consideration of the lives and any lasting peace that is at stake.

[edit on 21-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Two articles on the economic reasons behind Bushehr and Iran's nuclear programme:

“Iranian uranium is not a problem for international community”

From the link:

“Iranian uranium is not a problem for international community”

Published 21 August, 2010, 14:36

Iran is launching its first ever nuclear power plant at Bushehr. The reactor is being loaded under strict control of the IAEA, the UN’s nuclear watchdog.

The fact that Iran is starting its own nuclear facility has drawn enormous attention from foreign countries. Seyed Mohammad Morandi, a professor of politics at Tehran University, believes that it is only UN which has issues with Iran – not the whole international community.

“[The launch of Iran’s first nuclear power plant] is very important because it is an issue of sovereignty, and foreign powers, especially the United Sates, have been very much opposed to the building of this nuclear reactor since the beginning of the revolution,” Morandi told RT. “So the Iranians were adamant that this should go forward. After all, the Iranians have a policy of diversification; they are diversifying from oil and gas. Wind farms have been built throughout the country and you also see solar energy being used here in Tehran, as well as in other parts of the country. This is a part of a larger process to move away from oil and gas to be able to export more oil and gas to create a stronger economy. And also, because in the long run the Iranians know that… oil and gas will not last, they will be needing nuclear energy.”

“If you look at the past few years you will see that the international community has had no problem at all with Iran’s nuclear program,” the scientist stated. “At the recent conference in New York on the NPT had a declaration in which Israel, for example, was named but Iran was not, despite American objections. The problem really is the UN Security Council and the fact that Western countries have hegemony over that council, and they effectively force the Russians and the Chinese to bow down and to accept their demands.”

More


Bushehr is purely economic, not political issue – analyst

Bushehr is purely economic, not political issue – analyst

Published 21 August, 2010, 09:55

Edited 21 August, 2010, 14:18

The Russian-built nuclear power plant in Iran’s Bushehr is an economic project and has nothing to do with politics, analyst Sergey Pereslegin has told RT.

On August 21, Russia is expected to load nuclear fuel into the reactor at the Bushehr station – the first nuclear power plant in the Islamic Republic of Iran. There are divided opinions on the project in the world, with some fearing the access to nuclear technologies may help Iran to advance in its controversial uranium enrichment program. Yet what does the Bushehr plant mean for Tehran, and what is Russia’s interest in the project?

Sergey Pereslegin, advisor to the Director of the Atomic Reactors Research Institute in Dimitrovgrad and author of the study “Myths of Chernobyl” shared his view on the issue in an interview with RT’s Nadezhda Kevorkova.

“Iran wants to have a peaceful nuclear program, because this would be an economic and technological breakthrough to modern technologies.” he said.

As for Russia, it wants to strengthen its position on the market of nuclear technologies. “There are only a few countries in the world that can share such technologies with others. The competition here is tough,” the analysts said.


At this point, he explained, the main competitors on that market are Russia’s Rosatom, France’s Areva, and several Japanese companies: Toshiba-Westinghouse, Mitsubishi, and Hitachi with General Electric. Canada and South Korea also occupy their special niches on the market. Meanwhile, China and India are eager to enter this market.

“Please note that the United States is not among these players, it only has part in Japanese multinational corporations,” Pereslegin underlined. “This is an economic, not a political issue. The US wants to make it look like a political issue or even a security issue.”

“If Tehran doesn’t acquire modern technologies, this would give the US more reasons for its military, political and economic presence in this strategic region. To the US, this is, first and foremost, a matter of political interests. However, they can be easily converted into money,” he said.

“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) clearly states that countries have the right to develop a peaceful nuclear program and that the countries that already have nuclear technologies should share them with others. It is their obligation. So all accusations made against Russia and Iran with respect to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program are unfounded,” Pereslegin told RT.

Later, the analyst noted, the US pushed for certain amendments to the NPT.

“The legitimacy of these amendments is questionable, because they contradict both the letter and the spirit of the treaty, and they were not adopted properly. In essence, they are not legally binding, they do not have the status of an international law; they are International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolutions,” he said.

Even though the IAEA is an influential organization, it has no authority over nation-states, the analyst said. “Of course, the US has the right to give financial aid to those countries that accept all the amendments and not support those who refuse to accept them,” he noted.

Pereslegin is confident that putting political pressure on Iran and Russia over this matter makes no sense and will lead to nothing. “This pressure may be interpreted as an attempt to impose obsolete energy technologies on less developed countries. Such pressure is nothing else than a variety of Western colonialism,” he said.

More


Iran is diversifying it's energy resources, in particular because as the atricle states, oil and gas will not last forever.

What also needs to be mentioned is that Iran's oil infrastructure is ageing, and is inherited from the days of the Shah. Because of foreign investment being key to it's modernisation, the Iranians wish to pursue an independent source of energy output without too much foreign ownership of such resources, as did happen in Iran pre-revolution. Iran sees nuclear as a guarantee of producing energy without being dependent on foreign powers and foreign companies. Of course, Russia's co-operation with Iran on Bushehr can not be discounted, but at the same time, Russia does not have a recent history of toppling Iranian governments and demonising Iran. However Iranian suspicions of Russia are grounded in the fact of course Russia is a foreign power handling Iran's energy, and that the opening of Bushehr has often been delayed, which Iran suspects was deliberate.

Bushehr nuclear saga enters final chapter

From the link:

Bushehr nuclear saga enters final chapter

Published 20 August, 2010, 22:02

Edited 21 August, 2010, 10:48

Russia has started loading fuel into the reactor at Iran’s first nuclear power plant – a key step in making the Bushehr station operational. But what is the project about? Purely business, or an ace in a political hand?


Following years of delays, the construction of the Bushehr power plant – the major part of which was carried out by Russian engineers – is finally nearing its completion. On August 21, Russian and Iranian specialists are beginning to load uranium-packed fuel rods into the station’s reactor.

On this day “the delivery of nuclear fuel from the storage facility at the site of the Bushehr nuclear power plant into the energy unit at this station will begin. From that moment on, the reactor will be officially classified as a nuclear installation,” said Sergey Novikov, assistant director general of Russian nuclear agency Rosatom. This event marks “the end of the testing stage for all systems built by Russian specialists at the Bushehr nuclear power plant and the beginning of the physical launch phase,” Novikov said, cited Itar-Tass.

Russia’s delegation headed by Rosatom chief Sergey Kiriyenko has arrived in the Islamic Republic to attend the ceremony in Bushehr, which is located on the Gulf coast of southwest Iran.

Speaking earlier this week, the Rosatom head specifically underlined that the launch would go under the supervision of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.

Saturday’s event is of “crucial importance” and is proof that Russia always fulfills its obligations, he said. The official stressed that even though Russia played the leading role in the construction of the power plant, more than a dozen of countries, “including [some EU countries] and the Asia-Pacific region, provided deliveries.”

The project demonstrates that if Tehran “develops a peaceful nuclear energy program under IAEA control and provided that international law is observed, they can do so, like any other country,” Kiriyenko said.

It is planned that Russia and Iran will establish a joint venture to operate Tehran’s first nuclear power plant since the Islamic Republic has not got enough experience in maintaining such installations. Russia will be providing the nuclear fuel for Iran’s plant and, after it is used up, it will be sent back to the country.

However, it will take from two to three months for the nuclear-generated electricity to start running, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said earlier as cited by Fars news agency. Salehi, who is one of Iran’s 12 vice presidents, is also in Bushehr representing the Iranian delegation at the launching ceremony. Salehi stressed that Iran had invited monitors from the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, to attend the event since “the fuel is sealed and IAEA inspectors must be present to remove them,” Middle-east-online cited.

Bushehr is “anchor” keeping Iran within non-proliferation

Launching a new nuclear power plant is no doubt a big event, but it would never draw so much attention if not for Tehran’s controversial nuclear program – a bone of contention for the international community. The main concern is that Iran is so keen on developing nuclear technologies not purely for peaceful purposes – as it has always maintained – but because it eyes creating a nuclear bomb. It has been widely speculated in the media that, by getting its hand on nuclear technologies in Bushehr, Iran could somehow use it to advance in its uranium enrichment program.

Commenting on the speculations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that the Bushehr plant is a deterrent that keeps Iran within the nuclear non-proliferation space.

“It is an important anchor that keeps Iran within the non-proliferation regimen,” Lavrov said on Wednesday, Itar-Tass reports. “I would advise all those who regard this as a wrong message to look back at what the classics said. For instance, George W. Bush during his presidency described the Bushehr project as a sample of cooperation with Iran in the nuclear sphere,” Lavrov noted. He reiterated what both the Russian and Iranian officials have been stressing lately: the project is fully under control of the IAEA “and is immune from any proliferation risks.”

“This is an evaluation that is shared by all leaders of Western countries,” he said. As for the speculations, he went on “there will always be some, even regarding such an impeccable event from the standpoint of international law as the opening of Bushehr.”

Iran has built a pressurized water reactor, or PWR, which the most common type of reactors built across the world, Sergey Pereslegin, Advisor to the Director of the Atomic Reactors Research Institute in Dimitrovgrad and author of the study “Myths of Chernobyl”, told RT.

For instance, France’s “Areva is going to build a PWR in Indonesia, a politically unstable Muslim country, while Toshiba-Westinghouse is building one in the Philippines. And no one is imposing sanctions on those projects,” he said.

In principle, he went on, any type of reactor can be used to build a bomb. At the same time, “you can build a bomb without reactor". And this is particularly true in the case of Iran who has the centrifugal uranium enrichment technology. “It can create a bomb even without Bushehr. By the way, from the technical viewpoint it is much easier than producing plutonium from the spent nuclear fuel,” Pereslegin said.

Furthermore, the fuel is leased to Iran which means that it must return the spent fuel – that could theoretically be used to produce plutonium – back to Russia, he stressed. “Modern verification methods can guarantee that not a single kilogram of the spent fuel goes missing,” Pereslegin underlined.

According to the analyst, even something as simple as water electrolysis could be used to produce a nuclear bomb:

“Such was, for instance, the nuclear project in Hitler’s Germany: the first stage included building a reactor that runs on non-enriched uranium and heavy water produced by electrolysis, and at the second stage the reactor would produce plutonium through regular chemical methods.” He added that Pakistan is living proof that this is doable.

The question, he said, is whether the nations will use these technologies to produce nuclear weapons. “I find it hard to understand why I should be confident that Japan, which has had all the required technologies for a long time, is sure to show goodwill while Iran isn’t,” Pereslegin said. “That’s where double standards and colonialism come in: ‘Japan and Pakistan are our allies, we are confident of their goodwill. Iran is a totalitarian Islamic nation that once seized our embassy. We doubt its goodwill’,” he concluded.

More

Double standards indeed. Who is to say that Japan has not got nuclear weapons?

Much has been made recently over Japan's possible move towards nuclear weapons.

Perhaps this is a move that is preparing Japan, and the world for the fact Japan may already have them.

But Japan, like Israel, is a friend of the US Administration. Their intentions and programmes, therefore, must not be questioned.

Double standards.





[edit on 21-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Indeed. Iran, like Dubai, is preparing for the post-oil world. Not doing so is basically suicide for medium term.

Raising the stakes: Finance minister says America must warn Tehran of military strike within weeks; ‘Time has come for whole world, under US leadership, to present Iran with unequivocal ultimatum,’ he says
Do your own war with your own things. Stop asking Americans to die for you.

Senior official: Palestinians welcome statement on peace talks, reserve comment on invitation to meet in Washington on Sept. 2 - Reuters

Probably no war before then.

Israel Weighs Merits of Solo Attack on Iran
They've been doing that for the last 4 years at least.

Turkey has reaffirmed its commitment to returning Iran's lower grade uranium should Western suppliers deny Tehran the fuel promised for its reactor.
Turkey at least is reliable.

The Lebanese transport minister has ignored the latest threat of Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to stop a Lebanese aid ship bound for Gaza.
At your own peril.

Russia vague on S-300 delivery to Iran
Russia obviously don't want to pay the few billion penalty if they don't deliver the S-300 but at the same time they don't want to deliver the goods... gonna have to make a choice at some point.

Israel vows to seize Lebanon aid ship
Again.

'Iran may build new N-site next year'
There's 65 nuclear power plants in the US... So yeah.

Barak: Lebanese flotilla 'a hostile provocation meant to aid a terror group' (Haaretz)

Yeah giving them food...and stuff to build houses. I'm sure all those kids in there are also terrorists right?

Iran may halt high-level enrichment if assured nuclear fuel for research (Reuters)

US won't accept that.

Israel to UN: Lebanon Gaza-bound ship is unnecessary provocation (Haaretz)

Your blockade is a provocation.

Bahrain will not allow U.S. to use base on its soil to attack Iran (Israel Radio)

Good move.

Israelis conducting covert maritime operations in Persian Gulf

Chinese and Japanese intelligence agencies, which closely monitor events in the Persian Gulf due to the dependence of both countries on oil from the region, report that Israeli Navy commandos have recently been active in creating maritime incidents in the Gulf that could be blamed on Iran.

Interesting if true.

Israel jets, drone enter Lebanon airspace

Another day, another provocation.

[edit on 21-8-2010 by Vitchilo]

UK: Iran entitled to peaceful N energy
Of course they are.

Israeli naval forces have shot and injured a local fisherman during a patrol of the Gaza Strip's coastline, Palestinian medical sources have said.
How nice.

Israel says it is "totally unacceptable" for Iran to begin fueling its first nuclear power plant - Reuters
Won't they shut up already? The entire world says Israel constant violations of human rights and UN resolutions is unacceptable but we should care about what Israel think is unacceptable? What a joke.

What will you do about it? Bomb it? Go ahead, bomb it, kill russians and get nuked in return. That's what you want?

Those nutjobs in control of the Israeli government are gonna destroy Israel or start WW3.

Foreign ministry: World powers must toughen pressure against Iran (Haaretz)

How someone listen to that piece of trash Lieberman, I will never understand.

UN chief: Direct peace talks 'must not be wasted' (News Agencies)

It's gonna be wasted, just watch.

U.S.: Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant not a 'proliferation risk' (News Agencies)

Gee ya think?

Barak to U.S., France: Take steps to stop Lebanese flotilla (Haaretz)

US and France, the biggest Israeli lapdogs... France gave Israel the nukes and the US supported Israel in weapons and foreign wars since 1967.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Indeed. Iran, like Dubai, is preparing for the post-oil world. Not doing so is basically suicide for medium term.

Agreed.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Russia vague on S-300 delivery to Iran
Russia obviously don't want to pay the few billion penalty if they don't deliver the S-300 but at the same time they don't want to deliver the goods... gonna have to make a choice at some point.

What Russia could do is hand over the S-300's to a third party, who would then hand over the S-300's to Iran.

There was the story, later denied by Belarus, that they had handed over S-300's to Iran.

Interesting to note that around this time Russia-Belarus relations worsened and Russia suddenly started talking aggressively about Iran's nuclear programme.

So perhaps Iran has got S-300s already from Belarus. Perhaps Russia were annoyed thanks to much lobbying from the pro-Israelis in Moscow, or because Belarus is butting in on Russia-Iranian business.

Perhaps Russia and Belarus's detoriating ties is smoke and mirrors for the deal to have S-300's sold by Russia to Iran, handled by Belarus as a third party which could then take the hit of being accused of arming Iran, in return for Russian and Iranian favours.

There was also the story put about that Saakashvili, the President of Georgia (mayor of Tbilisi more like) had been arming Iran, which when you think about it may have led to the S-300 delivery delay as Russia's punishment to Iran for accepting arms from Georgia.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Israelis conducting covert maritime operations in Persian Gulf

Chinese and Japanese intelligence agencies, which closely monitor events in the Persian Gulf due to the dependence of both countries on oil from the region, report that Israeli Navy commandos have recently been active in creating maritime incidents in the Gulf that could be blamed on Iran.

Interesting if true.

Remember the story about the Japanese Tanker getting hit by something in the straits of Hormuz?


Suspect ship seen before Japan tanker blast -media

From the link:

Suspect ship seen before Japan tanker blast -media

17 Aug 2010 05:05:23 GMT
Source: Reuters
TOKYO, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The radar of a Japanese supertanker that was damaged by an explosion near the Strait of Hormuz last month showed a small ship making suspicious movements near it at the time of the incident, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said on Tuesday.

Checks of the radar showed the suspicious ship left the area at high speed immediately afterwards, NHK said. The explosion, shortly after midnight on July 28, injured one seaman but caused no oil spill or disruption to shipping in the strategic waterway.

NHK said Japan's Transport Ministry believes there is a possibility the small ship launched an attack.

A militant group called Abdullah Azzam Brigades, linked to al Qaeda, claimed on Aug. 4 that a suicide bomber belonging to it had attacked the tanker.

Security analysts were sceptical of the group's claim, though the United Arab Emirates state news agency said investigators had found traces of explosives on the tanker.

More

And Iran will be blamed in 5, 4, 3, 2....

This may be used to send more US and/or NATO warships to the region, under the pretext of to protect "international shipping" and build up military forces while doing so.

Nicely placed for an attack on Iran.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Israel jets, drone enter Lebanon airspace

Another day, another provocation.

A near daily intimidation of Lebanon. I tend to think Israel is hoping one of it's planes will be shot down, to use as a pretext for war on Lebanon, and by extension, Iran and Syria.

Israel appoints new military commander after weeks of rumours and intrigue

From the Link:

Israel appoints new military commander after weeks of rumours and intrigue

By The Associated Press (CP) – 21 hours ago

JERUSALEM — Israel's defence minister says he has selected a new military commander.

The new chief of staff will be Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, who led Israel's Gaza offensive last year as head of the military's Southern Command.

Galant will replace the current chief, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, early next year.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak announced the appointment on Sunday. The appointment is expected to win formal government approval next week.

More


So Israel appoints a new military commander, a Lt. Gen who led Israel's Gaza offensive last year. That's quite possibly a statement of intent. Appoint to be the new military commander someone who led Israel's last military offensive, at a time of anti-Iran sabre-rattling.

The article goes on to say how there was an alleged fake document said to spell out a scheme by Galant to smear rivals for the job of military commander.

If the document is fake, is it the work of Doves within Israel's establishment trying to stop Galant getting the job because they know it may well lead to war on Iran?


Iran sends a statement of intent back to Israel: It will defend itself:

Iran unveils home-built combat drone

Iran unveils home-built combat drone

Iran unveils its first domestically-manufactured long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in a ceremony marking Defense Industry Day in the country.

The unveiling of the home-made drone, named Karrar took place in the presence of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and a number of defense officials.

The Karrar UAV is capable of carrying a military payload of rockets to carry out bombing missions against ground targets. It is also capable of flying long distances at a very high speed.

Iran's defense industries have demonstrated spectacular progress in the recent year, launching numerous domestically-built armaments, including aerial and sea-borne military vehicles such as submarines, combat frigates, and various types of missiles.

Iran inaugurated the production line of two domistically-built UAVs with bombing and reconnaissance capabilities.

The two hi-tech drones named 'Ra'd' (Thunder) and 'Nazir' (Harbinger) are capable of performing long-range reconnaissance, patrolling, assault and bombing missions with high precision.

Ra'd, a UAV especially designed for assault and bombing missions, has the capability to destroy specific targets with high precision.

More


Iran drones versatile: Defense chief

From the Link:

Iran drones versatile: Defense chief

Iran's defense chief says home-made drones are not only able to gather information, but possess 'operational capabilities' as well.


"These (Iranian) drones have numerous applications", Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told Fars News Agency on Sunday.

"They can not only record and transmit images, but possess operational capabilities as well", the top general underlined.

He said the Karar drone unveiled on Sunday has a flight radius of 1000 km, adding Iran has other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which can fly the same distance.
"The Karar bomber drone has numerous capabilities, namely having a long operational radius", he added.

"The jet-propelled unmanned plane can also gain altitude", he said.

Earlier Sunday, Iran unveiled its first domestically-manufactured long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a ceremony marking Defense Industry Day in the country.

The Karrar UAV is capable of carrying a military payload of rockets to carry out bombing missions against ground targets. It is also capable of flying long distances at a very high speed.

Iran's defense industries have demonstrated spectacular progress in the recent year, launching numerous domestically-built armaments, including aerial and sea-borne military vehicles such as submarines, combat frigates and various types of missiles.

Link


[Press TV News] Islamic Iran Unveils Domestic Long Range UAV Bomber "Karrar":




[Press TV News Analysis] Iran Launches "Karrar" UAV - Detailed Analysis:

(This second video is 11 minutes 30 seconds long and starts with a report just like the first video but soon turns to a discussion regarding the drone and Iranian weapons)



Ahmadinejad mentions that he hopes "Karrar" will be a 'messenger of peace' and a 'Salvation of Mankind'.

On the surface, that appears to be a bizarre thing to say about a weapon, but if we look beneath the surface we realise that what Ahmadinejad is saying is this: We hope this weapon is proof to you, the US and Israel, that if you strike us, we will hit you back. If you do not want to see what this Drone can do, don't attack us."

Iran is hoping this drone helps to deter war, and thus in that context we understand the meaning of it being described by Ahmadinejad as 'a messenger of peace' and a 'salvation of mankind.'

Personally, I don't think it will deter war. Not if Israel and/or the US are set on it.


'Israel too weak to attack Iran'

From the link:

'Israel too weak to attack Iran'

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has taunted the Israeli regime as "too weak to attack Iran,” promising a crushing response against any aggression.


"Israel is too weak to stage a military strike against Iran, but if it attacks, it will receive a devastating response, which will make it regret its aggression," said President Ahmadinejad in a televised interview with Al-Jazeera TV Network on Sunday.

The Iranian President rejected the idea that Arab countries' soil would be used to launch attacks on Iran, saying that the "leaders of these countries are more prudent than that.”

Ahmadinejad further downplayed US military might in its current wars in the Middle East region and dismissed the speculations that an imminent war against Iran was the cause of the US troops' withdrawal from Iraq.

“Do you think an army that has been beaten by a small army is pulling back from Iraq in order to combat a large and well trained army like the Iranian army? I don't think so. The United States is not capable of opening a front against Iran. There are no logical motivations and real reasons for such an act," the Iranian chief executive noted.

More

Translation of what Ahmadinejad is saying: You would have to be insane to attack us! If you do, you will regret it.

[edit on 23-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Iran warns enemies over aggression

From the Link:

Iran warns enemies over aggression

Iran's defense minister has warned that the country will react extensively against any aggression or illogical action, cautioning the enemies "not to play with fire.”


"We won't invade any country and we will extend our hand to all world states, but will give a hard and extensive response to any country willing to play with fire and making illogical actions against Iran," said Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the production lines of Seraj high-speed vessels and a new generation of the high-speed Zolfaghar vessel on Monday.

More

Again the message from Iran: If you attack us, we will retaliate. We will not take it laying down.

Iran is literally trying to talk the good fight to deter a war. Constantly the message is: If you attack us, we will not take it meekly. We will respond, and we will hurt you in return.

12:20pm New TV: The Mariam aid ship activists suspended their trip and started contacts with Greece.

Gee Israel-Greece relations are improving and somehow they are surprised that Greece won't allow the Lebanese aid ship to Gaza?

Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant a small threat to Israel, for now (Haaretz)

Hmmm no it's no threat at all.

Major General Yoav Gallant to be next IDF Chief of Staff (Haaretz)

War criminal... From Haaretz : Gideon Levy / Man responsible for Israel's cruelest wars only attracts praise
This is getting sick appointing war criminal as top military...not a big surprise for Israel government but eh.

Netanyahu: Peace deal difficult but possible, we can surprise skeptics (Haaretz)

SURPRISE US THEN.

Report: Sudan plans to build nuclear reactor (Reuters)

Sudan, Iran sign military cooperation agreement
Ain't that interesting?

Ahmadinejad: Israel too weak to attack Iran's nuclear facilities (News Agencies)

Taunting them is not a good idea... just saying.

Abbas: If Israel renews settlement building, we'll quit direct peace talks (Haaretz)

Well then peace talks are already over.

Iran authorities shut down Swedish cosmetics company, detain staff (AP)

Sweden won't like this.

Iran suspends top judiciary officials over possible link to torture, killing of prisoners (AP)

Seriously? In the US, they get long life pensions. See Guantanamo and Europe Black sites.

Police inform Olmert of plan to recommend indicting him for Holyland corruption (Haaretz)

Will that scumbag go to jail? That would be neat.

Erekat: Netanyahu wants to negotiate only with himself and his coalition (Israel Radio)

Yep. He's just doing that for PR.

Palestinian negotiator Erekat: There's a difference between talks and dictations (DPA)

And Israel doesn't know the difference.

Ankara tells US it won’t adhere to new sanctions on Iran
Well well well. What a surprise... NOT.

Hariri Urges Arming Military, Security Forces
Good for him.

Report: Sadr Threatens Iran he Would Move to Lebanon
Tensions there... If Sadr and his army move to Lebanon, things could get ugly very fast... from a fight for power with Hezbollah, to a fight Sadr/Lebanese army to Israel attacking Lebanon over Sadr being a threat...To Sadr army launching rockets at Israel...

Israel 'Makes All Preparations' to Deal with Mariam as Netanyahu Discusses Issue with Ministers
Hopefully they don't do something stupid again.

Hariri-Nasrallah Likely to Meet Soon
An alliance to be created soon? Hezbollah officially becoming under the state?

Iran Funding 'Extremist Groups' in Iraq, Says U.S. General
And the US funds terrorists in Iran and Israel funds terrorists in Turkey.

Israeli official declares: 'We're preparing for war'
You are 24/7/365. So meh.

'Riyadh plans to sabotage Hezbollah'
Well yeah. Saudi Arabia hates Shiites not to mention they hate Iran and not to mention they are US puppets.

Blix hails 'positive' Bushehr plant launch
Blix again talking the truth. If the world had listened to him back then there wouldn't have been an Iraq war and the whole Iranian ``problem`` wouldn't exist. Iran most likely would be a US ally by now since it basically was in 2002.

Using nuclear energy is economical
Ya think?

Iran to launch two home-made vessels
Good for you.

Iran: no concern over refueling planes
Good.

Syria: Israel-Palestinian talks useless
Yep, right now they are.

Hizbullah's Documents May Delay Announcement of Indictment in Hariri Assassination
Indictment to come late October/mid November at the latest... too late for a war...

Iranian deputy oil minister says Turkey will cooperate with Iran in constructing two petrochemical plants in southern and western Iran.
Turkey helping their neighbor.

Iran inaugurates 907-km gas pipeline
To Pakistan... is complete.

Lebanon suffers more Israeli violations
One more day, one more violation...

Where can we find "up to the minute" REAL military news about events unfolding for upcoming possible military action in middle east? We all know
"something" will happen soon... but what?

Ray McGovern shares with us his analysis of the recent article published in the Atlantic written by the infamous American-Israeli writer Jeffrey Goldberg on Israel’s case for bombing Iran and the reasons why the United States should join in. He talks about the ramifications of the recent and ongoing WikiLeaks disclosures, the pitiful state of the mainstream media, the Internet as the new fifth estate, and more. www.boilingfrogspost.com...

Vitchilo, I was just thinking about how the talk has steeped up from Mahmoud in the last few days, now given, it's their obvious moment in the spotlight, but, I was just thinking is the most recent display of courage by Mahmoud possibly due to the understanding by him, that something may finally coming to pass??? In other words, when someone is aware that threats are imminent do they not become more stalwart, and emboldoned?

I seem to remember a lot of defense talk, and claims of supremacy by Saddam Hussien prior to the Second Gulf War...
www.hartford-hwp.com...

Anyway, just some thoughts, nothing concrete, and merely noted, this may be nothing....

[edit on 23-8-2010 by freetree64]

I think Mahmoud is doing like Saddam did before the invasion... trying to appear powerful so he won't get attacked... didn't work for Saddam... probably won't work for Iran.


Abbas to PLO: Give talks a month
After all the freeze on settlements ends on September 26...

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Not Ruled Out in Hariri Murder Probe
This could get interesting. The way it's going, everyone is gonna be blamed. The plot to kill Hariri will be less likely than the already very unlikely 9/11 official story.

Sayyed: Hariri's Assassination Designed to Implicate Syria, Explode Lebanon
Indeed.

PM's office says Israel setting no preconditions ahead of direct negotiations, but stresses 'importance of security arrangements, demilitarization' in any agreement
Demilitarization... yeah like there's ANY COUNTRY ON EARTH THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN ARMY. WHAT A JOKE.

Netanyahu obviously want the talks to fail. Why would Palestine accept what NO NATION ON EARTH accepted?

Doomsday Articles Reflect Edginess on Iran : “Israel will be Attacked by Lebanon and Syria within the Next Two Weeks.”
More propaganda from Israeli news.

Iran to supply Lebanon with anti-missile system: report
Except even Iran doesn't have an anti-missile system...

Ahmadinejad: Hizbullah Does Not Take Orders from Iran
We'll see about that. Nashrallah may indeed prefer their power in Lebanon than attacking Israel for Iran... Not to mention Hezbollah was created in the first place to get Israel out of Lebanon...not by Iran.

Israel's Barak Says Talks Will Demand 'Brave Decisions'
For once I agree with Barak... but will those be made? I doubt it.

Israel orders destruction of 2 mosques
If true this is another huge provocation... and sick.

Lebanon detains another telecom spy
Another one...

Afghan base expansion aimed at Iran?
Hadn't thought about that... could very well be.

Turkey, Brazil to be present in N talks
Could help things.

Pakistan no launchpad to attack Iran
Well good.

If you believe Debka :
Outside threats prompt snap choice of new Israeli army chief

Defense minister Ehud Barak's snap nomination of OC Southern Command Maj. Gen, Yoav Galant as Israel's 20th chief of staff was necessary - not just to dispel the climate of intrigue among competing generals, but to pull the high command together in view of the preparations to attack Israel gathering momentum in Tehran, Damascus, Beirut and Ramallah

5:27pm MP Aoun: The STL was snuck and approved by Saniora, the U.N. Security Council, and the states that don’t recognize international law, especially the U.S. and Israel. They are the sides that defend the STL the most.

Indeed. The US and Israel only back international law when it's convenient.

Senior IDF official warns of Hamas forces strengthening in West Bank (Ch.10)

Time to invade right?

U.S.: A nuclear Iran would trigger a Mideast-wide arms race (Haaretz)

Actually the first to develop nukes were Israel... then Israel bombed Iraq nuclear reactor... and Iraq started developing nukes... then the whole deal with North Korea, Iran started developing nukes...and stopped after the invasion of Iraq...

So it's already on. And has been on since Israel developed their own nukes during the 60s with the help of France.

UN rights body team starts flotilla probe in Turkey (Reuters)

Good.

UN official: Israel uncooperative with UN Human Rights Council's flotilla probe (AP)

What a surprise.

Iran says ready to resume nuclear talks but waiting for world powers (DPA)

Will wait for a long time.

IAEA chief to meet with Israeli cabinet ministers (AP)

The meeting is either gonna be cold or full of lies.

Meridor: Extend settlement freeze in areas that will be part of Palestinian state (Ch. 10)

Good luck with that.

Jordan opposition parties: Upcoming peace talks fulfill only Israeli interests (DPA)

Yep.

Barak: Ashkenazi to remain as IDF chief until February (Haaretz)

If a war is in the offing... he likely won't stay.

Iran set to begin production on an oil field shared with Oman in the Persian Gulf (AP)

More trade/business with Oman bypassing the sanctions...

U.S. Mideast envoy: We expect Israel to refrain from harming negotiations (Haaretz)

Good joke there.

Zvi Shalit to Netanyahu: You will be to blame if Gilad dies in Hamas basement (Haaretz)

Now the question is... will Hamas use Shalit to destroy Netanyahu... or keep him to have Palestinians prisoners?

8:29pm Al-Jadeed: The armed clashes in Burj Abi Haidar are still ongoing.

8:01pm One person was killed and several others wounded in the ongoing armed clash between members from Hizbullah and others from the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects (Al-Ahbash) in Beirut's Burj Abi Haidar as gunmen started using RPGs.

7:13pm Sources to Naharnet: Intense machinegun fire erupted near the al-Ahbash mosque in the Beirut area of Burj Abu Haidar.

US to Use All Options to Stop Nuclear Iran, Israel in Favor of Strikes to Weaken Hizbullah, Hamas

Pentagon and U.S. government officials have uncovered an understanding between Washington and Tel Aviv that commits Israel not to undertake any unilateral military action against Iran in return for a U.S. pledge to abandon the policy of accepting a nuclear Iran and deal with Tehran as a nuclear military power, pan-Arab Al-Hayat newspaper said in a report published Tuesday.

In the corridors of Washington and other European capitals and Israel, war scenarios are being discussed "as if war is inevitable," Qahwaji noted, "despite opposition by quite a few military officials and politicians in the U.S. and the West due to the uncertainties of war, which could be catastrophic for the region and U.S. interests."

Despite disagreement on several points in the scenarios of war, the report goes on to say, many experts and officials still agree on other points, including the idea of provoking war by attempting to inspect a ship in the Gulf waters or provoke Hizbullah into a gunbattle in Lebanon.

The main point of disagreement between U.S. and Israeli officials and experts in the scenarios of war relates to how to deal with Iran's allies -- namely Syria, Hizbullah and Hamas.

While Israeli leaders are in favor of preemptive strikes to weaken Hizbullah and Hamas and perhaps Syria before attacking Iran, U.S. officials and experts prefer crushing the top of the pyramid – Iran -- and deal a heavy military blow to the Persian Gulf nation in the hope of shaking its ability to move and to sow fear among its allies who will recognize the fact that war is real and that the future of their presence is at stake if they choose to support Tehran.

If true this is quite worrying.

This is a fundamental change in US policy... that so far seemed to accept a nuclear Iran....

MTV: Hezbollah official killed in Bourj Abi Haidar clashes

Oh my. Things could get ugly real soon.

Amal denies involvement in Bourj Abi Haidar clashes; LAF deploys to area

Bourj Abi Haidar clashes intensify

Bourj Abi Haidar clashes lead to fatalities

TheWardini #Beirut latest: Army takes over Islamic center for Al-Ahbash & negotiate ceasefire, while it was rumored that #Hezbollah is withdrawing

Fire on Beirut's streets: Hezbollah, Sunnis clash

Lebanon’s capital burning: Rockets, automatic fire in Beirut as Hezbollah clashes with Sunni militia; at least three fatalities reported, including senior Hezbollah man. Lebanese army deployed in city

sanatawileh: Hizbullah gives 3hrs to give him the killer Fawwaz

RT @TheWardini: A 3rd dead from #Hezbollah in #Beirut clashes, Mohamad Ali Jawad. The one from Al-Ahbash is Fawaz Amayrat. Total losses: 4 Dead. 3-1

TheWardini: And we're back in action #Beirut , more heavy artillery and sounds of B7 fired! #Lebanon #Hezbollah

As I said earlier in this thread...a new civil war in Lebanon is one of the danger...

Hopefully this is not the start of it. The Lebanese army is deploying in multiple cities as we speak.

August enlistment in the IDF shows record-breaking motivation among recruits to join combat units

Bomb threat called in Channel 10 studios
In Israel...

Renewal of #Beirut clashes with rifles and RPGs between #Hezbollah and Al Ahbash.

Nasrallah vows to secure Iranian assistance for Lebanese army (AP)

Hamas: Abbas too weak to reach a just peace agreement with Israel (Reuters)

Yep.

Hezbollah leader: Lebanon must build nuclear reactor like Iran (Ch.10)

That would be hilarious. But Lebanon needs the electrical power, just like the big heat wave and the multiple blackouts in Lebanon just showed.

Battle between Shiite, Sunnis in Beirut leaves one dead, three wounded (AP)

Prosecutor: Hezbollah handed over no evidence linking Israel to Hariri murder (Ch. 10)

Conflict in Beirut and this news item related?

10:55pm Hizbullah Media Officer Ibrahim Moussawi denied that his party issued any statement on the Burj Abi Haidar clashes or that it gave a 3-hour deadline for the handing over of Mohammed Fawwaz's killer.

Good. Lessen the chances of civil war...

10:40pm A tripartite meeting between an army official, Hizbullah security chief Hajj Wafiq Safa and an Al-Ahbash official is underway in a bid to pacify the situations.

Good.

9:47pm Fierce armed clashes broke out again in Burj Abi Haidar as the sounds of light and medium weapons are being heard again across Beirut.

9:36pm MTV: Three army armored vehicles are now entering the clashes zone in Burj Abi Haidar.

Indictment in Hariri Murder to be Issued in December, European President
So now we have a date.


Please do not go into civil war again Lebanon... please.