Middle East on fire

Italy releases PKK leader on probation
Way to go to piss off Turkey!

'Fueling Bushehr, enrichment unrelated'
Indeed.

Israeli plane violates Lebanon airspace
Again... reconnaissance for sure.

UAE 'Concerned' at German Release of Israeli Murder Suspect
Germany was already a joke in it's relation with Israel, but now it reached a whole new level.

U.S.-French Agreement to Renew UNIFIL Mandate with Emphasis on Respecting Blue Line
Now that's funny.

Respecting the blue line uh? What about shooting down the Israeli warplanes crossing it?

Iran: Nuclear core will be active in a month, despite Russian claims of a week (Army Radio)

Russia never said it would be active in a week. They said they would start the fueling in a week then it would be active around end of september.

Syrian Prime Minister: Only armed struggle brings Israel to the negotiating table (Ch. 10)

Well yeah you can only get concessions when you have the upper hand.

Thousands march in Tel Aviv against migrant workers' children deportation (Haaretz)

Finally good Israelis are out of their houses doing something.



I don't know if the military hardware is still there.

Underneath Lebanon, Israel sees hidden battlefield

Underneath Lebanon, Israel sees hidden battlefield

By MATTI FRIEDMAN (AP) – 14 hours ago

MOUNT ADIR, Israel — With tensions mounting along their shared border, Israel's military says Hezbollah is moving fighters and weapons into the villages of south Lebanon, building up a secret network of arms warehouses, bunkers and command posts in preparation for war.

The Israeli military has begun releasing detailed information about what it calls Hezbollah's new border deployment, four years after a cross-border raid by its guerrillas triggered a 34-day war.

A reminder of the volatility came on August 3, when Lebanese troops fired at Israeli soldiers clearing brush on their side of the border. One Israeli officer was killed, another badly wounded, and a retaliatory helicopter strike killed two Lebanese soldiers and a reporter.

Hezbollah, which is armed by Iran and Syria and is more powerful than the Lebanese military, stayed out of the Aug. 3 fight. But its leader, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, threatened that he would intervene next time. He has also said that if war breaks out again his forces will fire rockets into Tel Aviv.

Neither side has signaled that another war is imminent, but the Israelis' unusual openness about what they claim to know of Hezbollah's preparations seems to have two goals: to show the reach of their intelligence, and to stake their claim that if another war breaks out and many civilians die, it will be because Hezbollah placed its armaments and fighters in their midst.

Link


So essentially, Israel are getting their excuses ready for the mass civillian deaths caused by them in a war on Lebanon.

Hezbollah to the South Lebanese and a great many Lebanese is like the Militia in the US, where people arm themselves to protect themselves, not entrusting the government to do so because of historical reasons.

If Hezbollah are at the border (and because their members are Lebanese that is not a surprise) it's because it seems they want to be ready to face an Israeli attack on Lebanon. The Lebanese military made a good show in the border clashes, but could it withstand a prolonged Israeli assault? That's what the Lebanese who are members of Hezbollah are concerned about.

Israel violates the UN, nothing is said. If Hezbollah allegedly do it, Israel expects everybody to make a scene.

Israel trying to dismiss UNIFIL is nothing new. During the 1980's Israel did it's upmost to stain the reputation of UN peacekeepers, for example, by saying the Irish peacekeepers were always drunk.


The UN in Lebanon have actually had a good relationship with the Lebanese, in particular, the Italian peacekeepers.

Where relations have frayed is where UNIFIL have become overtly intrusive on the Lebanese (probably bowing to Israeli pressure), but it seems UNIFIL have attempted to reset relations for the better by releasing statements calling for calm.


On the subject of Israeli military build ups... this is interesting. In the link, are photos of Israeli soldiers. Under the first photo, it says underneath:

In this photo taken Wednesday, July 21, 2010, an Israeli soldier from the Golani Brigade takes position during training in a forest simulating military posts in south Lebanon, at the Elyakim training grounds in northern Israel. With tensions mounting along their shared border, Israel's military says Hezbollah is moving fighters and weapons into the villages of south Lebanon, building up a secret network of arms warehouses, bunkers and command posts in preparation for war.

Simulating military posts in South Lebanon. In July.

In August, the border clashes.

Interesting.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

UAE 'Concerned' at German Release of Israeli Murder Suspect
Germany was already a joke in it's relation with Israel, but now it reached a whole new level.

There's a good chance that the murder suspect is never seen again. If Israel can get him away to safety where he will not stand trial, they will.



[edit on 15-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Lebanon opens bank account for donations to equip army

From the link:

Lebanon opens bank account for donations to equip army

Lebanon's defence minister says the country has opened a bank account to receive donations to buy weapons for its poorly-equipped army.

The defence minister, Elias Murr, said he and his father, former defence minister Michel Murr, had deposited $670,000 (£430,000) to start the fund.

It comes after US legislators blocked $100m of military aid over concerns it might be used against Israel.

Four people were killed in a clash on the Israel-Lebanon border on 3 August.

Announcing the new bank account, Mr Murr said he hoped both Lebanese at home and living abroad would donate.

The US has provided Lebanon with $720m in military aid since 2006 and the Department of State has said military co-operation with Lebanon will continue.

Despite the US help, Lebanon's 60,000-strong military is considered ill-equipped.

More


Well, the Lebanese have to do something to keep their military equipped...especially a military 60,000 strong and ill-equipped as the article says, which then makes you realise why many Lebanese feel Hezbollah is Lebanon's only true defence.

So the US has cut off military aid, but say they will continue military co-operation. Hmm.

Meanwhile...

Lebanon 'kills Fatah al-Islam militant leader'

By Jim Muir

BBC News, Beirut

Lebanese security officials say they have shot and killed the suspected leader of the militant Sunni Islamist movement Fatah al-Islam.

Abd-al-Rahman Awad and an associate were intercepted on a main road in eastern Lebanon and died in an exchange of fire with security forces.

Fatah al-Islam fought a three-month battle with the Lebanese army in 2007 in which about 400 people were killed.

The group is believed to be linked to the al-Qaeda terror group.

Abd-al-Rahman Awad was already high on the Lebanese wanted list.

He had been condemned to death in absentia on charges relating to a number of bomb attacks and killings over the past three years.

He was believed to have taken over the leadership of Fatah al-Islam after its long battle with the army at the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al-Bared near Tripoli in northern Lebanon in 2007.

More

An issue in Lebanon that again can be traced back to Israel.










[edit on 15-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Bushehr fuel to be loaded Sep 16
So... are they trying to confuse everybody or what? September 16 would mean Israel have another new moon to do their thing.

Mullen: Iran attack 'destabilizing'
Gee ya think?

US, Israel hold anti-guerrilla drills
Preparing for something? Like war against Hezbollah?

US President Barack Obama has warned the Turkish prime minister that Ankara's position on Israel and Iran could lessen its chances of obtaining US weapons, a report says.
Turkey for now is playing both sides...

AFP: Iran’s atomic energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi says Tehran to begin building new uranium plant in early 2011

Old news.

U.S. urges vigilance in sanctions on Iran shipping (Reuters)

Iran won't take it like Iraq did...

Explosions to be heard in Golan Heights on Sunday evening due to IDF exercise (Ch. 10)

So even when Israeli wargames were supposed to be over Thursday...they are still on the border... interesting.

Arab nations urge U.S. to end support of Israel's nuclear secrecy (AP)

That would be neat.

Defense Minister Barak approves the purchase of 20 F-35 fighter planes (Haaretz)

And they will get them in what... 2015?

Israel angry as Turkey PM snubs envoy over Ramadan invitation (Ch. 10)

Will Israel cry over this one or?

Report: Baku releases would-be Israel embassy bombers in deal with Iran (Haaretz)

It seems the release might be for real.

Uri Brodsky, Israeli suspect in Dubai assassination, lands in Israel (Haaretz)

Iran get their guys released, Israel get his guy released...

UNIFIL: Lebanon, Israel Don't Want War
Hopefully...

Iran exports to US climb by 13%‎
If true, that's funny.

US arms sales aimed at countering Iran
Since attacking Iran by itself would be kinda hard for the US/Israel right now... could the Arabs states help them? That would be a big surprise.

Saw this video posted on another Iran thread, and I thought I would share here.


Former UN ambassador to Israel Dan Gillerman says that shipment of fuel to Bushehr is a "game-changer" and a "watershed"





What we see here are either or both of two things if Gillerman is a media mouthpiece for the Israeli government: By the use of the terms "game-changer" and "watershed" on Fox News, Israel are preparing the MSM and the people who watch and listen to it for an Israeli strike on Iran, or by using such dramatic language and bellicose language, Israel is warning the US to do something before Israel does.


US threat on Turkey arms sales

US threat on Turkey arms sales

Barack Obama, the US president, has warned the Turkish prime minister that Ankara's position on Israel and Iran could lessen its chances of obtaining US weapons, according to a news report.

The Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, wants to buy American drone aircraft to attack separatist Kurdish rebels after the US military withdraws from Iraq at the end of 2011, Britain's Financial Times newspaper reportedon Monday.

The rebel group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK), has bases in the mountains in the north of Iraq, near the Turkish border.

"The president has said to Erdogan that some of the actions that Turkey has taken have caused questions to be raised on the Hill [Congress]," a senior administration official was quoted as saying in the daily paper.

Loss of confidence

These questions centred on "whether we can have confidence in Turkey as an ally," the official said.

More


So there you have it Turkey. You must NOT criticise Israel, you must NOT demand an apology for Israel killing your citizens, and you must not threaten to break ties with Israel.

Otherwise it's the naughty step for you! This may include being called a sponsor of terror at some point in the future, being placed under sanctions, and if you're really naughty and we disapprove of you, we will bomb Ankara and you will be sent to bed without supper.

Now do as you're told!


Nuclear inspection of Israel sought

From the link:

Nuclear inspection of Israel sought

Arab nations have urged Washington and several other nuclear powers to push for inspections of Israel's nuclear programme, diplomats have told the Associated Press news agency.

In a letter sent ahead of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting scheduled for September, the Arab League also sought support for a resolution that calls on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The letter sent on August 8 was signed by Amr Moussa, the Arab League chief.

Besides Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, the letter was also sent to foreign ministers of Russia, China, Britain and France - the four other permanent UN Security Council members.

Obama warning

The letter comes one month after Barack Obama, the US president, warned the Arab world not to use the 150-nation IAEA forum to single out Israel.

Obama and Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, agreed to work together
to oppose efforts to single out Israel at the upcoming IAEA conference.

At the time, Obama suggested that such a move would undermine the possibility of breakthrough talks on a Middle East nuclear-free zone, as proposed by the NPT conference three months ago.

More

Notice the doublethink from Obama and Netanyahu here?

Oppose inspections of Israel's nuclear programme as it would undermine talks on a Middle East nuclear-free zone?

lol what? Run that by us again.

Amazing.


I really want to call Obama spineless. But that would be offensive to snails and slugs and other invertabrates.

And a refreshing and blunt analysis on the Middle East 'peace' process:

Peace bullish or 'bull----'


Iran to start new nuclear plant 'early next year'

Iran to start new nuclear plant 'early next year'

Iran will start building a new uranium enrichment site early next year, the country's top nuclear official has said.

It is part of an ambitious plan by Iran to build 10 new uranium enrichment plants that is likely to cause further international alarm over Iran's intentions.

Western powers say Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon.

Iran denies this and says its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.

Jon Leyne, the BBC's Tehran correspondent, reporting from Cairo, said the plan is a gesture of defiance to those outside Iran who fear that these plants could be used to make nuclear weapons.

The Islamic republic is already enriching uranium at a plant in Natanz in central Iran, and has been building a second enrichment site near Qom, further to the north.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's nuclear programme, told state television that "studies on finding locations for the construction of 10 new sites are going through their final stages".

He added that construction would begin on one of these "by the end of the current Iranian year (in March 2011), or shortly afterwards."

Another target for a Israel and/or US strike.

Iran may try to build as many as possible to make a multiple strike harder to achieve, which Israel or/and the US may see as a reason to strike sooner.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Since attacking Iran by itself would be kinda hard for the US/Israel right now... could the Arabs states help them? That would be a big surprise.

Saudi Arabia as we mentioned, and I expect a number of Arab countries' governments declare neutrality or anger at a war on Iran while covertly supporting it.

I also imagine a number of Arab countries' government may support Iran, covertly, if not overtly.

A strike on the nuclear sites will create a mess, and killing Iranian civillians will be a final straw for the populations of many countries in the region, if not the governments.


























[edit on 16-8-2010 by Regensturm]

"The Real Deal": George Galloway's Interview with President Ahmadinejad (Video)

The interview is just short of an half an hour long. As with the video of Charlie Rose's interview with President Assad of Syria, it gives us an opportunity to hear the views of leaders such as Ahmadinejad and Assad that may not appear except in snippets and soundbytes by the MSM, usually moulded to suit the anti-Iran agenda.




Iran warns US of military retaliation

From the link:

Iran warns US of military retaliation

A senior Iranian commander warns the US of retaliation in case of an attack on Iran, saying if Washington begins the war, it would not be able to put an end to it.

"The objective of the US military threats is to defuse crises in the region and prepare the grounds for arms trade and selling weapons," Brigadier General Seyyed Masoud Jazayeri, the Deputy Head of Iran's Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Monday.

Jazayeri said that Washington needs to create an enemy in order to gain more control over its domestic issues, adding that "once this enemy was the former Soviet Union and now it is Iran," Fars News Agency reported.

The Iranian general described "Iranophobia" as a "tool for the US and the Zionists" to carry out their objectives in the region, and said, "If they [the US and Israel] were not in the region, the regional countries would not have any problem with each other."

He expressed regret over some of the regional countries' cooperation with the US in its "Iranophobia project."

More

The Iranian general warns of Iranophobia, and also of Washington creating an enemy in order to gain more control over it's domestic issues.

Very much akin to the role of the Goldstein character in the novel 1984, and how we are "always at war with Eastasia. We are always at war with Eastasia."




[edit on 16-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Indeed.

Iran to begin building new uranium plant in early 2011
Israel and the US won't like that. But since Iran is planning 20 nuclear power plants, they need a lot of 20% uranium. And the Russian contract is only for the Bushehr plant.

Israeli warplanes overflew the towns and villages of the Western sector at medium altitude.

Again. This time, it's not just drones.... again UNIFIL not doing their job.

U.S.-French Agreement to Renew UNIFIL's Mandate 6 Months
Good.

The head of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is due in Iran on Friday, August 20, to visit the Bushehr nuclear facility in south of the country.
Guess now it's back on August 20/21.

Great updates Vitchilo.

A possible explanation of the deaths of five Israeli military personnel in Romania:

Robert Fisk: Israel has crept into the EU without anyone noticing

From the link:

Robert Fisk: Israel has crept into the EU without anyone noticing

Middle East


Saturday, 31 July 2010

The death of five Israeli servicemen in a helicopter crash in Romania this week raised scarcely a headline.

There was a Nato-Israeli exercise in progress. Well, that's OK then. Now imagine the death of five Hamas fighters in a helicopter crash in Romania this week. We'd still be investigating this extraordinary phenomenon. Now mark you, I'm not comparing Israel and Hamas. Israel is the country that justifiably slaughtered more than 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza 19 months ago – more than 300 of them children – while the vicious, blood-sucking and terrorist Hamas killed 13 Israelis (three of them soldiers who actually shot each other by mistake).

But there is one parallel. Judge Richard Goldstone, the eminent Jewish South African judge, decided in his 575-page UN inquiry into the Gaza bloodbath that both sides had committed war crimes – he was, of course, quite rightly called "evil" by all kinds of justifiably outraged supporters of Israel in the US, his excellent report rejected by seven EU governments – and so a question presents itself. What is Nato doing when it plays war games with an army accused of war crimes?

Or, more to the point, what on earth is the EU doing when it cosies up to the Israelis? In a remarkable, detailed – if slightly over-infuriated – book to be published in November, the indefatigable David Cronin is going to present a microscopic analysis of "our" relations with Israel. I have just finished reading the manuscript. It leaves me breathless. As he says in his preface, "Israel has developed such strong political and economic ties to the EU over the past decade that it has become a member state of the union in all but name." Indeed, it was Javier Solana, the grubby top dog of the EU's foreign policy (formerly Nato secretary general), who actually said last year that "Israel, allow me to say, is a member of the European Union without being a member of the institution".

Pardon me? Did we know this? Did we vote for this? Who allowed this to happen? Does David Cameron – now so forcefully marketing Turkish entry to the EU – agree with this? Probably yes, since he goes on calling himself a "friend of Israel" after that country produced an excellent set of forged British passports for its murderers in Dubai.

More

The article also lists the integrity of Israeli-NATO cooperation.





[edit on 16-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Yeah a few years ago, there was talk of including Israel into NATO. I wonder if it's still on the table... probably.

They are probably waiting for something to happen... something like Iran being made a full member of the SCO... which probably won't happen.

Fadlallah: Considering Nasrallah's Evidence Will Require Questioning the Enemy and Those Who Tried to Acquit it
The whole process is in question now.

Hizbullah official in the south Sheikh Nabil Qaouq has said ignoring the evidence presented by Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah means insistence on implementing Israel's strife projects in Lebanon.
Which means trouble.

Signs point to trouble ahead for Hezbollah
Must read article on the STL business.

Government at risk of collapse if STL indicts Hizbullah

I think right now we should be worried about two things.

- An Israeli strike against Iran before Bushehr goes online.
- A new civil war starting in Lebanon if the STL rejects Hezbollah accusation on Israel and blame Hezbollah for the murder of Hariri.

At this point trouble in Lebanon is more likely than a strike on Iran IMO.

This thread is gold. i gave as much stars as i could for those who contributed here. i will be back to read more when its updated. thank you...

[edit on 17-8-2010 by Nomad451]

Iran warns Israel against any attack

The Iranian spokesperson also said that Iran will start injecting fuel into the reactor of the plant next week, adding that the process of fuel loading will be complete within three to four weeks.

So the fueling does indeed starts around August 20-21...and ends around mid-september then will be connected to the grid after that...

Iran is set to inaugurate the production line of a long-range air-defense missile system on August 22 to counter any likely air attack on the country.
August 22... it would be kinda hilarious if Israel bombed them before that. Anyway I wonder what are the capabilities of that system...Probably not that great unless they received undercover help from Russia and China.

'Iran will build 20 new nuclear plants'
Oh dare them trying to have nuclear energy!

Israel approves F-35 purchase deal
Which of course the US will pay for... They will only receive them between 2015/2017 anyway... will Iran still be a threat by then? Will Israel still exist?

White House denies giving Turkey ultimatum over Israel, Iran
Sure you deny.

Al-Hayat: Syria-Saudi Arabia ties may distance Iran from Hezbollah (Israel Radio)

What?

Sources: Arab League planning to send humanitarian medical aid to Gaza (Ch. 10)

Israel won't like that.

Report: Women's flotilla to depart Lebanon for Gaza this week (Army Radio)

Potential crisis there.

Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet senior Greek officials in Athens (Army Radio)

Obviously a message to Turkey.

Tehran: U.S. could participate in future Iranian nuclear projects (DPA)

Now that's funny.

If you believe in Debka...
Bomb kills head of Iran's military drone program
Nice assassination there.

Iranian fighter jet crashes near nuclear plant
Fail. Patrolling the skies near the plant? Worried about something?

[edit on 17-8-2010 by Vitchilo]

Originally posted by RizeorDie
This thread is gold. i gave as much stars as i could for those who contributed here. i will be back to read more when its updated. thank you...

This thread is gold because Vitchilo has been determined to keep it going with updates on the situation. His commitment to this thread must be applauded.

Let's hope this time next year, this thread is not discussing the aftermath of a war, or an ongoing war.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

I think right now we should be worried about two things.

- An Israeli strike against Iran before Bushehr goes online.

Or Israel striking it after it has come online.

It's possible Israel, if they carry out a strike, may miss Bushehr altogether, use Bushehr as a red herring target for the Iranians to worry about defending, when they may strike elsewhere.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
- A new civil war starting in Lebanon if the STL rejects Hezbollah accusation on Israel and blame Hezbollah for the murder of Hariri.

Something that as the retired Lebanese General Jaber said, Israel would love to see.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

At this point trouble in Lebanon is more likely than a strike on Iran IMO.

I believe a strike on one will lead to the attack on the other.

As a result, both are likely targets in my view. And I believe Syria is a target also, at least for Israel.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

Israel approves F-35 purchase deal
Which of course the US will pay for... They will only receive them between 2015/2017 anyway... will Iran still be a threat by then? Will Israel still exist?

I could see that order being rushed through.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

Al-Hayat: Syria-Saudi Arabia ties may distance Iran from Hezbollah (Israel Radio)

What?

I think not.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

Sources: Arab League planning to send humanitarian medical aid to Gaza (Ch. 10)
Israel won't like that.

Report: Women's flotilla to depart Lebanon for Gaza this week (Army Radio)

Potential crisis there.

Something to keep an eye on.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

Prime Minister Netanyahu to meet senior Greek officials in Athens (Army Radio)

Obviously a message to Turkey.

Over a decade ago, that would have really upset Turkey as Greece and Turkey were bitter enemies. But they both had an earthquake which drew them together, and they helped each other.

I don't think Netanyahu's plan to upset Turkey by visiting Greece will work.

The Greek and Turkish Air Forces still duel over the Agean, but they do it so often, I think they consider it tradition. A bit like sword-fencing, they duel more or less everyday, where the winner of the day is the one deemed to have gained a lock-on the other.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
If you believe in Debka...
Bomb kills head of Iran's military drone program
Nice assassination there.

I would not put it past the CIA or Mossad.

Originally posted by Vitchilo
Iranian fighter jet crashes near nuclear plant
Fail.

Patrolling the skies near the plant? Worried about something?

Iranian pilots getting tense.


Anger over Israel soldier's prisoner Facebook images

From the link:

Anger over Israel soldier's prisoner Facebook images

A former Israeli soldier has been sharply criticised for posting images of herself on Facebook posing next to Palestinian prisoners.

Eden Aberjil had put the images in an album on the site entitled "The army: the best days of my life".

Army officials have condemned her behaviour as "shameful" and said they would investigate the matter further.

Palestinian groups said the images were humiliating and revealed the "mentality of the occupier".

The controversial images were among 26 photographs Ms Aberjil posted on her Facebook page.

In one, she is shown smiling next to three bound and blindfolded prisoners and in the second, she is sitting with her face turned towards a prisoner.

More


Israeli Army officials said they would investigate. Like they would investigate the flotilla raid, no doubt.


Unifil 'unpopular' in Lebanon (Video)


From the link:

Unifil 'unpopular' in Lebanon

It has been four years since the UN-brokered ceasefire ended Israel's war in Lebanon.

The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (Unifil) monitor the border to maintain the peace.

But local residents are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the foreign soldiers.

Al Jazeera's Rula Amin reports.

More (Video)


The Lebanese are beginning to find UNIFIL intrusive and violating their privacy, and are starting to suspect they may be spying for Israel.

Relations used to be very good between the Lebanese and UNIFIL.

What went wrong? I think the fact that besides UNIFIL becoming what the Lebanese term "intrusive", no UN troops patrol the Israeli side of the border. That has to create mistrust.

It's possible some UNFIL peacekeepers may be spying for Israel, but on the whole Israel would love UNIFIL to fall out with the Lebanese people and have their presence called into question.



[edit on 17-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Nope, not going to happen. Israel has more pressing problems

2:15pm The Lebanese army and UNIFIL went on alert near Fatima gate over an Israeli demand to cut five trees in the area.

More Israeli provocations.

Palestinians have fired mortars into Israel after Israeli tanks and bulldozers crossed into the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Another provocation. Two Israeli soldiers were wounded. Hopefully this will not end up with another invasion of Gaza...which Turkey said they would not tolerate.

Iran awaits Russia's stance on S-300
Good luck.

'Israel at stake, if it attacks Iran'
Meaning a big war will start and Israel will be hit like never before.

Iran says to unveil array of weapons next week

Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said on Tuesday that Iran will unveil next week an array of weapons, including missiles, speedboats and a long range drone, the ISNA news agency reported.

Good for you...

PA: No negotiations with Israel until our demands are answered (Army Radio)

Not gonna happen.

Former U.S. UN envoy: Israeli unlikely to attack Iran nuclear reactor in Bushehr (Haaretz)

Except the same guy on Fox News said the contrary.

Lebanon PM urges calm over UN Hariri tribunal (Reuters)

Good move there.

Could this have anything to do with The Israel-Romania relationship?

Romanian diplomat busted spying in Moscow

Published 16 August, 2010, 20:01

Edited 17 August, 2010, 13:49

A Romanian diplomat has been reportedly caught red-handed in Moscow during an attempt to obtain secret defense information.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) has identified the Romanian intelligence agent.

“Romanian External Information Service officer Gabriel Grecu, working at the national embassy undercover as first secretary at the political department, was detained by the FSB as he attempted to obtain secret defense information from a Russian citizen on August 16,” the FSB said, as cited by Interfax news agency.

The alleged spy has been declared persona non grata and was given 48 hours to leave the Russian Federation.

“The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed protest to the Romanian side through diplomatic channels in connection with Gabriel Grecu's activities being incompatible with his diplomatic status,” the FSB said.

So far, no official comment from the Romanian side has followed.

More

Were Romanian intelligence trying to find out on behalf of Israel what weapons systems Russia has given Iran?


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, to protect "international shipping" and build up military forces while doing so.

Nicely placed for an attack on Iran.





[edit on 17-8-2010 by Regensturm]

reply to post by Regensturm

Could this have anything to do with The Israel-Romania relationship?

It's funny you say that, I almost posted the same article with the same comment... But I erased it because I thought it was a very long stretch.

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

Indeed.

Mirza submits material received from Hezbollah to STL
Now we'll see what happens with that evidence.

3:17pm Parliament approved the law on excavating for oil.

Off the Lebanese coast... where the oil/gas field is contested by Israel... this could start something.

Army and UNIFIL on Alert at Fatima Gate over Israeli Request to Cut Down 5 Trees

The Lebanese army and United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon were on alert on noon Tuesday over an Israeli request to cut down five trees planted on Monday by the Iranian body to aid Lebanon, according to newspaper reports.


Israel said that it wanted to cut down the trees, that are in Lebanese territory, because they are touching the dividing line on the border.

The army soon cut down the trees that lie a few meters from the electronic fence.

Tensions are still high.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

It's funny you say that, I almost posted the same article with the same comment...

But I erased it because I thought it was a very long stretch.

lol GMTA...but seriously, the weaving webs of espionage and co-operation are spun far afield and deeply. It is something of a coincidence we were discussing Israel-Romania co-operation, and then there is the arrest of a Romanian intelligence agent in Russia trying to find out about Russian weapons....particulary in light of the S-300 ongoing story...

Originally posted by Vitchilo

Tensions are still high.

Absolutely. The slightest thing could trigger something. Something Netanyahu seems to be hoping for.

Storm over Israeli 'abuse' photos

From the link:

Storm over Israeli 'abuse' photos

A former Israeli soldier has sparked controversy after posting pictures of herself on Facebook posing with bound and blindfolded Palestinian prisoners.

The photographs show Eden Abergil positioned provocatively with the men, prompting lurid comments from other users of the popular social networking site.

The pictures, which were uploaded into a folder entitled "Army - the best time of my life," and associated comments were discovered by bloggers, who circulated them on the internet on Monday.

Palestinians have long claimed that they are subject to humiliating and degrading treatment while held in Israeli custody, but Israeli authorities have always rejected such allegations.

'What's wrong with that?'

In an Israeli radio interview on Tuesday, Abergil said she could not understand the outrage over the photographs.

"What's wrong with that? I don't understand," she told Israel's Army Radio. "There was no violence in the pictures, there was no disrespect."

Abergil claimed that she was photographed "innocently," that the blindfolded and cuffed Palestinians were merely "in the background" of the photographs, and that the images had no "political significance."

The Israeli military has sought to distance itself from the controversy, saying Abergil is no longer a serving member of the country's army. "This is shameless behaviour by the soldier," a military spokesman told Al Jazeera.

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"What's wrong with that? I don't understand." Eden Abergil reportedly said.. That's precisely the problem, that degenerating and humiliating other human beings is deemed perfectly acceptable behaviour, and that she does not understand what the criticism is about.

Very worrying. It's the sort of behaviour, and acceptance of such behaviour, that leads to greater human rights abuses.

And it's fine for the Israeli military to try to distance itself. It generates the conditions and atmosphere by which their soldiers apparently deem dehumanising other human beings as acceptable.

[edit on 17-8-2010 by Regensturm]

Report: Shots fired at Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv (Haaretz)

Oh boy.

BREAKING NEWS: Reports: Palestinian breaks into Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv taking two hostages and threatening to 'kill Jews' (Via sky)

Shots fired in Turkish embassy

Al-Arabiya reports shots fired, hostages taken at Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv

What kind of retarded guy is this? Israel entering the Turkish embassy might cause some trouble.

Attacking nuclear plants intl. crime
Yep. But Israel don't care about that.

India to enter gas pipeline talks with Iran
Israel and the US will be pissed. Might hurt the joint India-Israel military projects.

'Iran will block Hormuz if attacked'
They plan to block the strait of Hormuz, attack US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and attack Israel.

Originally posted by Vitchilo

Report: Shots fired at Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv (Haaretz)

Oh boy.

BREAKING NEWS: Reports: Palestinian breaks into Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv taking two hostages and threatening to 'kill Jews' (Via sky)

Shots fired in Turkish embassy

Al-Arabiya reports shots fired, hostages taken at Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv

What kind of retarded guy is this? Israel entering the Turkish embassy might cause some trouble.

Sky News is reporting that apparently the man tried to claim asylum at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv a few years ago, and that the man is from Ramallah and has mental issues. Apparently, so Sky is reporting, the Israelis tried to enter the embassy after the man was shot entering the embassy by Turkish security, but the Israelis were denied entry.

The man seems to be trying to claim asylum.

I think the Turks will try to resolve this themselves.

Of course, you have to wonder who benefits from a Palestinian attacking the Turkish embassy....

You don't need to look far. Makes you wonder, in light of recent events.

Man shot after rushing Turkish embassy

From the link:

Man shot after rushing Turkish embassy

17 Aug 2010 16:53:26 GMT
Source: Reuters

TEL AVIV, Aug 17 (Reuters) - A man who entered the Turkish embassy's compound in Tel Aviv was shot and wounded, an Israeli official who declined to be identified said on Tuesday.

Israeli media identified the man as an armed Palestinian who briefly held two embassy staff hostage. Israel Radio said the man demanded that Turkey grant him political asylum because he was wanted by Palestinian and Israeli security services.

Israeli media said Israeli police snipers fired shots at the man after they spotted him by a window at the embassy.

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So who shot him? Israelis or Turks? Sky is reporting the Turks as the man entered the embassy.

Reuters seems to be reporting Israeli snipers fired the shots.

Which would mean they fired at the Turkish embassy....Turkish territory.



[edit on 17-8-2010 by Regensturm]