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Bush might bomb Iran if he thinks Obama will win?
On Fox News Sunday, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol implied that President Bush is more likely to attack Iran before leaving office if he believes Barack Obama is going to win the election because he is confident that John McCain will continue his Iran policy for a third term. On Fox News Sunday, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol implied that President Bush is more likely to attack Iran before leaving offic... more
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Afghanistan, a country in a 'downward spiral'
Updated at: 0439 PST, Saturday, October 11, 2008
Mullen urges India’s role needed in Afghanistan WASHINGTON: The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff in Afghanistan, Admiral Mike Mullen, has said he feared the situation in the country would worsen, according to reports Friday.
He added that in the great interest of the region, the war on terror should be extended to the involvement of India in connection with the growing insurgency of suspected Taliban militants in the save heavens in tribal areas of Pakistan
In light of the poor economic situation and an intensifying Taliban insurgency, he told US media: 'I would anticipate next year would be a tougher year.'
'The overall development is not going in the right direction,' he said, according to the U.S. newspaper.
Mullen also singled out the booming heroine smuggling in Afghanistan, as well as the opposition by tribal leaders against the central government in Kabul. There were indications, he said, that the status and trends on the two issues 'are going to continue.'
On Thursday, a confidential US intelligent report emerged which painted an extremely gloomy picture of the situation in Afghanistan, a country in a 'downward spiral'. It cast serious doubts on the ability of the Afghan government to curb the growing influence of the Taliban.
Increased cooperation between al-Qaeda militants and the Taliban and an expanding network of militant groups, made the situation extremely complicated, the study said. Updated at: 0439 PST, Saturday, October 11, 2008 ... more -
India will become Iran's main buyer of oil in 2009
India will become Iran's main buyer of oil in 2009 - Now let that sink in.
Tehran, Iran, Oct. 10 - Iran said on Friday that India would in 2009 become its top Asian buyer of oil, ahead of China and Japan.
“We are negotiating with a few Indian companies to sell crude oil in 2009”, said Ali-Asghar Arshi, a senior official in the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
“Currently the leading customers of Iran's crude oil in Asia are Japan, China and India but next year the top ranking will change to India, China and Japan” said Arshi who is the NIOC's Managing Director for International Affairs.
Arshi said that Tehran does not currently sell crude oil to Latin American countries, but has recently participated in bids to sell crude to Chile and Uruguay.
Iran's top European customers for crude oil are Italy, France, Belgium, Greece, and Spain, according to state media. India will become Iran's main buyer of oil in 2009 - Now let that sink in. ... more -
The most Dangerous Country in the world Isn't Iraq.
Follow the money trail... Pakistan requests Iran for oil on deferred payment
ISLAMABAD:: Pakistan Friday requested Iran to help to meet its growing energy crisis by giving oil on deferred payment. The request was made by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi during talks with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.
Talking to newsmen jointly after the meeting, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Iran’s has already a system of three month deferred payment but Pakistan has requested to increase this time period.
He said his counterpart has agreed to take up the issue with his government and the cabinet for increasing the time limit for the deferred payment.
Qureshi said Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline project was of strategic significance and as it has been agreed between in a meeting of President of Pakistan and Iran in New York last month, it has been again stressed that it should be on fast track for the economic benefit of the two countries.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan is committed to the IPI project and would go ahead even the third party did not join it at initial stages. He however appreciated India’s decision to join the project.
He stressed that Pakistan wants that pipeline project should be initiated bilaterally between Pakistan and Iran while India could join afterwards whenever it so desires.
The Minister said both the countries also agreed to establish a Joint Financing Company for the IPI project.
Referring to the outstanding issues relating to IPI, the Foreign Minister said out of the five issues, four have been resolved while the fifth issue relating to pricing of the gas being sorted out and it would be settled soon.
The Minister said both the countries also agreed to enhance people-to-people relations between the two countries and called for more exchanges between the parliamentarians of Pakistan and Iran and decided to further strengthen infrastructure facilities. Follow the money trail... Pakistan requests Iran for oil on deferred payment ... more -
Be careful what you vote for because you just might get it
"We are at the point of wrapping up the election season, and once again you have the liberals on one side and the conservatives on the other side. Once again, Americans have the choice of voting for a Democrat or a Repulican, and once again the notion of a viable third party option is not even entertained by the majority of the population.
After Nancy Pelosi and the rest of the Democrats failed to do what was demanded of them, which was to end the Iraq war and impeach the President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, one would have thought that the thought of voting Republican or Democrat would be completely unacceptable. Yet, here we are again, forced to choose between a Republican or a Democrat.
Since America, and the rest of the world for that matter, are locked in a left-right political box, so to speak, we are once again forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. And again, it is up to the media to decide who is the greater or the lesser of two evils. But no matter on what side of the political isle you stand, the lesser of two evils is still evil. This is why I say "be careful what you vote for-you just might get it." Don't get it? Well I'm sure you will, so just bear with me and let me explain."
Continue reading here
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/UnderTheRadarMedia/~3/41... "We are at the point of wrapping up the election season, and once again you have the liberals on one side and the conservatives o... more -
Alaskan Independence Party Sponsored By Iran. Seriously.
From jed reprt:
David Talbot reports on what would have been the crowning achievement of Alaskan Independence Party founder Joe Vogler had he not been first killed in a plastic explosives deal gone bad:
Vogler's greatest moment of glory was to be his 1993 appearance before the United Nations to denounce United States "tyranny" before the entire world and to demand Alaska's freedom. The Alaska secessionist had persuaded the government of Iran to sponsor his anti-American harangue.
That's right ... Iran. The Islamic dictatorship. The taker of American hostages. The rogue nation that McCain and Palin have excoriated Obama for suggesting we diplomatically engage. That Iran.
The following year, Todd and Sarah Palin attended the AIP convention, and Todd Palin joined the party shortly thereafter.
Click link for some BG info if you need it! From jed reprt: ... more -
Iran News
Current friends...what is going on in Iran? Well, lets see. This is one strange place to must of the general public. Little know fact, Persians don't look like creatures from 300. JK :) Enjoy. Current friends...what is going on in Iran? Well, lets see. This is one strange place to must of the general public. Little know fact,... more
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Democrats Shelve Iran Resolution!
Hey, what - some common sense at last!?
In Reversal, Democrats Shelve Iran Resolution
Thursday 09 October 2008
by: Maya Schenwar, t r u t h o u t | Report
"US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Banking Chairman Barney Frank. After realizing that H.Con.Res.362 could lead to war with Iran, Frank - a cosponsor - has vowed to oppose the bill until its aggressive language is changed. (Photo: AFP / Getty)
Falling from shoo-in status to widely rejected legislation within the space of four months, a resolution that would have opened the door for a naval blockade on Iran was officially shelved at the end of September, after several of its cosponsors withdrew their support. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman has promised not to bring the bill, House Concurrent Resolution 362, before the committee until concerns about the text are addressed.
Given the scare-tactic-laden climate of the past eight years, 362's journey is remarkable: it represents a forceful effort by members of Congress - prodded by grassroots groups - to turn back the tides of impending war.
"The game-changer occurred when lawmakers realized that the resolution would lead to a naval blockade and war," Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, told Truthout. "The mood in Congress is similar to what it is in the country as a whole - the appetite for another war in the Middle East simply isn't there."
The Iran resolution, originally proposed in late May, would have imposed "stringent inspection requirements" on trade with Iran, making a military blockade and the legal use of force distinct possibilities. It quickly gained bipartisan support, even among some of Congress's most progressive members, such as impeachment advocate Robert Wexler, Oversight Committee chairman and vocal Bush critic Henry Waxman, and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, rated the most liberal Democrat in Congress by the nonpartisan vote-tracking project GovTrack.
Intense lobbying efforts by the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee propelled the bill forward, and in late June, sources close to Congressional leadership expected it to be ushered onto the House floor under suspension of the rules. A place on the suspension schedule - usually reserved for uncontroversial legislation - would have meant very limited debate and a quick vote for 362.
AIPAC framed the bill as a necessary escalation of tactics toward Iran. In a statement on the legislation, AIPAC announced, "Iran poses a growing threat to the United States and our allies as it continues rapidly advancing toward a nuclear weapons capability. Sanctions are having an impact on Iran, but more needs to be done now to persuade Tehran to change course."
Pressure from AIPAC and similar groups weighed heavily in some members' decisions to support the legislation, according to Jim Fine, legislative secretary for foreign policy for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). He added that the force of the lobbyists sometimes took the place of careful consideration."
Article continued via link above. Hey, what - some common sense at last!? In Reversal, Democrats Shelve Iran Resolution Thursday 09 October 2008 ... more -
Branding Democracy
How are politics and art discussed here and abroad? A couple of exhibitions going on at the Parsons School of Design in New York and the Design Commission in Seattle look to shed light to the subject. How are politics and art discussed here and abroad? A couple of exhibitions going on at the Parsons School of Design in New York and t... more
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Israel Interior Ministry grants entry to Iranian boy for brain surgery
Interior Ministry, Shin Bet grant unusual plea by Tehran family to have son suffering form brain cancer treated in Jewish state. 'When a child's life is at stake religion and origin play no part,' says Minister Sheetrit
A 12-year-old Iranian boy suffering from brain cancer is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Friday for emergency surgery.
The boy, who already underwent surgery in Tehran, was later admitted to a Turkish hospital, but his Ankara physicians soon discovered their facility lacked the technological and medical expertise needed to properly treat him.
The Turkish doctors suggested the family seek medical assistance in Israel, and so they did, through Israeli liaison Jacob Levin.
"I contacted and met with Dr. Feldman and Prof. Shapira from (the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at) Tel Hashomer, and after they looked over the case file they agreed to treat the boy if we could secure his arrival to Israel," Levin told Yedioth Ahronoth.
"Once I had their consent, I contacted all the relevant government bureaus, so we would be given permission to fly him in," he added.
The complex feat required a personal ex-gratia authorization from Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit, since the boy is Iranian and citizens of an enemy state are banned from entering Israel.
Sheetrit granted the request and forwarded it for the immediate review of the Shin Bet, ordering expedited proceeding be taken due to the boy's grave medical condition. The Shin Bet granted the request, saying the boy and his parents could stay in Israel – for two weeks at this point.
"We are the light upon the nations, and when a child's life is at stake religion and origin play no part," said Minister Sheetrit. "If we can help, we are more than willing to do so." Interior Ministry, Shin Bet grant unusual plea by Tehran family to have son suffering form brain cancer treated in Jewish state. '... more -
The Mossadegh Project :: Mohammad Mossadegh.com
Did you know that Iran used to be a democracy?
"It's a sad story that really began in the 1950's..."
- President Bill Clinton
"Iran had a democratic government which was overthrown because of oil."
- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
Why did we, our government, help overthrow Mossadegh in 1953? It had to do with oil. So our foreign policy is designed to protect our oil interests."
- Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX)
"That's ancient history..."
- President Jimmy Carter, 1980 Did you know that Iran used to be a democracy? "It's a sad story that really began in the 1950's..." ... more -
Iran unveils plan for women's car
Iran has announced plans for a new car designed specially for women.
Its features will include automatic transmission, parking and navigation aids and a jack for changing tires without getting grease on your chador.
Iran's biggest car producer, Iran Khodro, says it will come in a range of feminine colors and interior designs.
Other features are proposed to make it easier for women when they are doing the family shopping or taking their children to school.
If that suggests a degree of sexist stereotyping in Iranian society, it is, just possibly, true.
Despite the fact that Iranian women now make up around 60% of university students, Iranian men have yet to absorb fully the message of equality.
A recent study by an academic from Allameh Tabatabaii University in Tehran found that working Iranian women believed that the domestic chores should be shared more equally.
However, according to the report "their husbands think and act traditionally".
Indeed, the idea of married men cooking for their wives is viewed in Iran as highly eccentric.
As a result, the report concludes, Iran's new generation of working women "are obliged to play the role of a superwoman to resolve their contradictions in handling all tasks."
It says such women "have become increasingly frustrated with their life". Iran has announced plans for a new car designed specially for women. ... more -
The View From Over There
Has America's image been tarnished by the last eight years? Democrats seem to think so, and increasingly so do some Republicans. Collective Journalism contributors around the world work to gauge America's image abroad, as US policymakers struggle to maintain positive feeling in spite of ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The View From Over There" takes in an depth look at American foreign policy and how it affects America's image abroad. In this show, we feature a look at how other countries view the US, especially in the wake of Sept 11, the War on Terror, and the War in Iraq. We also hear from citizens of other countries about who they prefer in this year's US election. And finally, we show a unique perspective on the issue of how to handle Iran - an Iranian perspective.
Collective Journalism, Current's citizen journalism program, works by combining perspectives from contributors like you around the world. All month until Election Day, CJ will be airing special investigations into the most important issues of this election. Has America's image been tarnished by the last eight years? Democrats seem to think so, and increasingly so do some Republicans. ... more -
Western Aircraft Forced to Land in Iran
Iranian news reports say Iran forced a Western aircraft that accidentally entered its airspace to land, then allowed the plane to continue after questioning its passengers. Iranian news reports say Iran forced a Western aircraft that accidentally entered its airspace to land, then allowed the plane to cont... more
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Iran fighter jets 'force Western plane down'
An Iranian news agency reported today that an aeroplane had been forced to land in Iran after unintentionally flying into it's airspace. Initial reports suggested the plane was a US fighter jet but it later emerged the plane was a Falcon passenger jet. The five people on board were interrogated but released the next day when the Iranian authorities were satisfied their trespass was a mistake. An Iranian news agency reported today that an aeroplane had been forced to land in Iran after unintentionally flying into it's ai... more
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Ladymobiles to hit the streets of Iran
Iran is known for being gender-sensitive. This concept is taken to all new levels with an (incredibly sexist and patronising) move to create gender-specific cars for women. What makes a car "right for women?" According to Iranians, it's a pastel vehicle absent of all the mechanical aspects of driving, complete with extra sensors, parking aids, navigation systems and alarms... oh, and kit to keep the kids entertained. These ladymobiles are due to hit streets next summer. Iran is known for being gender-sensitive. This concept is taken to all new levels with an (incredibly sexist and patronising) move to ... more
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British army officer says U.S. can't win in Afghanistan
Some blunt remarks by a senior British army officer have again raised the issue of divergent views among North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies about the mission in Afghanistan. Some blunt remarks by a senior British army officer have again raised the issue of divergent views among North Atlantic Treaty Organis... more
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zeitgeist movie, part II - addendum
posted online today october 3rd http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7065205277695921912
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Will a new US President mean a new foreign policy?
Gareth Porter: McCain subscribes to extreme neo-con ideas, but Obama is not a break with the past. Part 5
In George W. Bush's final speech to the UN as head of state, he provided a series of reasons to view his administration's policies as having succeeded in conducting a global war on terrorism. Despite his regime's demonstrated aversion to multilateralism, Bush called on the UN and all international institutions to take a lead role in the War on Terror in the future. Investigative reporter and historian Gareth Porter tells Senior Editor Paul Jay why he believes that while Obama and McCain represent different visions of US foreign policy, neither truly represent a clean break from the legacy created by the Bush administration.
Gareth Porter is a historian and investigative journalist on US foreign and military policy analyst. He writes regularly for Inter Press Service on US policy towards Iraq and Iran. Author of four books, the latest of which is Perils of Dominance: Imbalance of Power and the Road to War in Vietnam.
See Part 1 at: http://current.com/items/89336287_bush_doctrine_at_the_...
See Part 2 at: http://current.com/items/89339379_the_state_of_the_empi...
See Part 3 at: http://current.com/items/89351820_provoking_russian_nat...
See Part 4 at: http://current.com/items/89361295_war_and_cash_for_tras... Gareth Porter: McCain subscribes to extreme neo-con ideas, but Obama is not a break with the past. Part 5 ... more -
Israel will hit Iran nuke sites says France's Foreign Minister
"I honestly don't believe (a nuclear weapon) will give any immunity to Iran," Kouchner said in an interview with Israel's Haaretz newspaper.
"First, because you will hit them before. And this is the danger. Israel has always said it will not wait for the bomb to be ready. I think that (the Iranians) know. Everyone knows."
Iran insists its nuclear drive is for peaceful purposes only whilst Israel is widely known to be the only nuclear armed country in the Middle East but will not let the UN inspect the weapons and will not confirm or deny their existence. "I honestly don't believe (a nuclear weapon) will give any immunity to Iran," Kouchner said in an interview with Israel... more
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