(Reuters) - With international sanctions squeezing Iran, the Islamic Republic is seeking to expand its banking foothold in the Caucasus nation of Armenia to make up for difficulties in countries it used to rely on to do business, according to diplomats and documents...
Addressing recent statements by Iranian leaders in the backdrop of reports of a possible Israeli strike in Iran, [IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny] Gantz said, "We are hearing explicit threats over Israel's security and wellbeing of its people – threats that demonstrate an underestimation of our capabilities."
He further added, "Anyone who thinks they can get rid of Israel and hurt our nation will discover the IDF's devastating force. We stand steadfast along our borders in the face of threats. The IDF has the world's best soldiers and commanders."
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When they turn the pages of history, when these days have passed long ago. Will they read of us with sadness for the seeds that we let grow?
Members of the defense establishment are reportedly optimistic that the Tishler report will influence Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Finance Ministry to increase the defense budget from its 2011 level of $14.89 billion to $15.39 billion in 2012.
“The Israeli attack will open with a coordinated strike, including an unprecedented cyber-attack which will totally paralyze the Iranian regime and its ability to know what is happening within its borders. The internet, telephones, radio and television, communications satellites, and fiber optic cables leading to and from critical installations—including underground missile bases at Khorramabad and Isfahan—will be taken out of action.”
The chances are pretty high that the teams involved in creating Stuxnet and Flame and maybe Duqu and Gauss would be in a position to architect such an attack against Iran’s infrastructure. Along with severing fiber entry points, Iran’s communication could be shut down. But what happens to the Internet when such an attack is launched? Will the weaponized malware work perfectly and not escape to the rest of the world? This document pretty much describes all-out war with Iran. In such a gamble do the planners even care about minor disruptions to power grids in the rest of the world? Or does that not carry much weight in the balance? This specter of an Israel-Iran war, whoever starts it, has become a looming threat for IT and communication systems everywhere.
Carbon whiskers unleashed to disable transformers??? Oh yes. I remember my very first boss, Curt Vail, who had introduced computer structural analysis at Boeing, relating the story of Boeing engineers who were developing carbon whiskers, amazingly strong and stiff materials. Somehow just a few grams got released into the atmosphere and shorted out transformers throughout the Pacific Northwest. I do not like the idea of kilograms of this stuff escaping the target area and even reaching the upper atmosphere. It could be decades before power grids could be free of this menace.
Here are two credible threats to global systems: a massive cyber attack that could spread to the rest of world and interfere with SCADA systems everywhere and carbon whiskers that could short out power transmission systems. Defenses against both should be put in place as quickly as possible.
And who's afraid again? History shows that every new weapon Iran shows is either an old one with a new paint and a new name or it's a prototype with overhyped capabilities, nowhere near ready for production. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,....
Quote:
Iranian ayatollah: Avoid war with Israel
Yousef Sanei, a Muslim cleric affiliated with reformists, says 'we should not act as warmongers and provoke a war; most important task is to shut Zionist regime up with our thoughts, pens'
Former IDF Intelligence Chief Attacks Barak and Iran War Plan
…The essence of Saguy’s message: Israel’s citizens cannot trust Defense Minister Ehud Barak or Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Saguy does not trust the latter because he has not seen him make, in either of his two terms as prime minister, even one single important decision. He does not trust Barak because he’s seen the results of many important decisions the minister has made, as chief of staff, prime minister and defense minister.
…Saguy can barely mention Barak’s name. He snorts upon hearing the warnings and analyses attributed to “that man, who appears morning, noon and night in the media and is known to me personally as someone who hasn’t succeeded in most of the strategic tests he’s been subjected to.
Report: Iran's supreme leader orders to intensify attacks against West
Britain's Telegraph newspaper says Ali Khamenei ordered Iran's Quds Force to step up attacks against Western targets due to mounting UN sanctions and West's backing of Syrian opposition.
Netanyahu inciting against Obama on way to war with Iran
In the run-up to an Iran attack, Netanyahu crossed every boundary, with the help of Jewish-American mogul Sheldon Adelson, to unseat Obama. And Ehud Barak, the boy from the kibbutz, is standing by his side on this balcony of incitement.
Mofaz demands clarifications from Netanyahu over his 'intention to lead Israel to war with Iran' Kadima chairman says prime minister 'crossing red lines' by bypassing public discourse, damaging relations with U.S. and losing control over his cabinet.
Ex-IAF Chief: We Should Have Struck Iran in 2005 Israel should have attacked Iran's nuclear facilities 7 years ago, according to former Israel Air Force Chief Herzl Bodinger.
Israeli defense officials consult with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef over Iran strike Some want the spiritual leader of ultra-Orthodox party Shas to support a strike, others to oppose it. At least one visit, in which the rabbi was briefed on Iran's nuclear program, came at Netanyahu's behest.
If you don't know who that is... that guy is like one of the Mullahs in Iran. As extremist. And Bibi wants his supports to turn a war on Iran into a religious crusade. Disgusting really.
The USS Stennis is set to sail for Iran in a few days to relieve the USS Enterprise... if they don't extend it's tour before decommission. The USS Eisenhower is there till at least March 2013. The Stennis will be there till at least May 2013.
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
A bit more details Vitchilo of one of your information.
The top US general is Dempsey. He was on his way to Afghanistan. Stopped in Israel to tell Bibi he would have no support from US. Hours later his plane is hit by a rocket.
Details:
Quote:
The culprits, “militants,” managed to escape undetected from the most sophisticatedly defended real estate on earth, the perimeter of Bagam Air Force Base. Lucky for them they attacked at night, a time when America’s 5th generation night vision, ground radar and other detection systems were mysteriously disabled.
The rocket detection systems, early warning blimps with ground penetrating synthetic aperture radar and the continual coverage by UAV drones using infrared detection, $2 billion in technology on this one perimeter alone, cost the plane of America’s top military commander and wounds were sustained by two crew members.
Yeah Yeah, nothing to see here.
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"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Albert Einstein
Former US Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk said that the United States "was convinced that Israel would attack" Iran's nuclear program during the spring months earlier this year, speaking in an interview with Army Radio on Thursday.
After no Israeli strike took place, Indyk said that the US officials felt as though they had been duped by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak's ruse.
The former ambassador added that there is a sense within the US government that Washington is once again being misled by Israeli declarations and leaks.
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When they turn the pages of history, when these days have passed long ago. Will they read of us with sadness for the seeds that we let grow?
DUBAI, Aug 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy is cutting short home leave for the crew of one of its aircraft carriers and sending them back to the Middle East next week to counter any threat from Iran, according to the official Navy News Service.
Defence Secretary Leon Panetta told sailors aboard the USS Stennis in their home port of Seattle on Wednesday they were needed back in the Middle East soon, after approving calls from the U.S. Central Command for Stennis to return to the region.
"Obviously, Iran is one of those threats," the U.S. military news service quoted Panetta as saying during a send-off event at a military base on the U.S. West Coast....
Hezbollah holds massive military drill to simulate raids into northern Israel, border clashes
10,000 gunmen participate in war games reportedly supervised by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard; 2,000 Hezbollah fighters said to be undergoing training in Iran
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
Poer
Posts: 1388
Incept: 2008-09-28
'Eppur si muove!'
Isn't this conflict older than- Isreal and Iran- I myself don't believe in the so called GOD- but I do believe in some sort of Bacteria God that we all evolved from... so we all started once as the same single cell organism... then some two billion years later- two dudes brothers at that had some conflict over some birthright... am I right? And then one brother took the others- I think Issac got cheated from Ismael? Who took his older brothers inheritence or something... so ever since all the same evolved bacteria want to destroy the other evolved bacteria... is that right? Well hell I'm edumacated here in the great usofa so I know I don't know so somebody clue me in
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"The degree to which a man substitutes the judgment of others for his own, failing to look at reality directly, is the degree to which his mental processes are alienated from reality." Nathaniel Branden in Ayn Rands 'Capitalism The Unknown Ideal'
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak are trying to round up supporters in the security cabinet for an attack on Iran. The score so far? 6 in favor, 6 against. But if the premier so desires, he'll garner a majority.
Obama Using Israeli Paper to Foil Iran Strike? Makor Rishon: IDF identifies U.S. "preventive action" against Israeli attack in collusion with Israeli pundits.
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
A US think-tank published satellite imagery on Friday which it said showed "pink colored material" covering a building at a sensitive military site in Iran which UN nuclear inspectors want to visit.
...
"The purpose of covering the buildings could be to conceal further clean-up activity from overhead satellites or to contain the activity inside," ISIS said.
"Alternatively, tarps could provide a cover for the demolition of the buildings, or portions of them, while also containing the spread of potentially contaminated debris," it added.
Talks between the United Nations' nuclear watchdog and Iran aimed at resolving concerns about Tehran's atomic program broke up on Friday without an agreement, and a senior UN official said no further talks were scheduled.
Tick, tock
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When they turn the pages of history, when these days have passed long ago. Will they read of us with sadness for the seeds that we let grow?
IAEA meeting failed again. Iran refused to give more info to them about their nuclear program. The UN will release their new report on Iran next week... just as Stennis is en route for the middle-east. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/N....
Quote:
Lieberman: No Way Can Israel Accept a Nuclear Iran
Sure you can. Just take a valium and you will accept it. And why should the world listen to an extremist right wing piece of trash like you Lieberman?? It shouldn't. Go back to Russia. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,....
Quote:
Ashkenazi comes out against Iran strike
In Peace and Security Council meeting, former IDF chief says we have yet to reach point where Iran has atom bomb. Meanwhile, tensions between PM, Peres mount
Turkey suspects Iranian hand in fatal bombing, as Syrian conflict threatens to suck in neighbours
Turkey raised the stakes in the struggle for Syria last night by declaring it was investigating a potential Iranian role in a bombing by a Kurdish separatist group near its border with the war-torn state.
This is such BS. Iran has been at war with the Kurds for a while. Hell they even conducted joint military operations in Iraq with Turkey. http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/0....
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Ryan Adviser Calls On Congress To Authorize War With Iran
Elliott Abrams, a former Bush Administration official who focuses on the Middle East, took to the pages of the Weekly Standard to argue that neither Iranians nor Israelis think the Obama administration is “serious” about attacking Iran, and that the only real way to convince them is having Congress vote for war:
In any event, the debate over a joint resolution will clarify who stands where. At the moment, no one is persuaded that the United States will use force to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. That situation worries Israelis and emboldens Iranians, not the outcome we want. A clear statement now that is backed by the nominees of both parties and elicits widespread support in Congress would demonstrate that, whatever the election results, American policy is set. That is the best (and may be the only) way to avoid an Israeli strike in the near future and the best (and may be the only) way to persuade Iran to negotiate seriously. And if we are unwilling as a nation to state that we will act to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, that conclusion should solidify support for what would then become the inevitable Israeli strike. A refusal by the White House to seek such a joint resolution would itself suggest that, while “all options are on the table,” the likelihood is that that is precisely where they will remain.
Elliott Abrams is a PNAC member... so you know he's very bad news.
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
Latest talks between Iran, IAEA were constructive, Soltanieh says
Quote:
“We had about eight hours of intensive discussions. The meeting was in a constructive environment… we mostly tried to bridge the gaps because there are some differences in the structure, approach, or modality for resolving the issues,” Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh said in an interview with Press TV on Friday.
As in our last meeting in June, we intended to finalise the structured approach paper that has been under consideration for many months. Today the Agency team came with a constructive spirit and hoped that the few remaining differences in the text could be resolved.
The discussions today were intensive, but important differences remain between Iran and the Agency that prevented agreement on this structured approach paper.
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When they turn the pages of history, when these days have passed long ago. Will they read of us with sadness for the seeds that we let grow?
And apparently, Bibi called a secret meeting of the press friday to sell the war on Iran and it wasn't reported in the press.
So... things might go boom real soon... aka this weekend.
Let's not forget that the NAM summit in Iran is on August 30-31... striking before then is crucial if Bibi and his nutjobs want to still have political capital to bomb Iran.
After the meeting, Iran will have the backing of a lot of people. Egypt will be there, Russia, India, China, even Saudi Arabia sent a deputy minister...
So striking this weekend might be the last chance Israel has to bomb Iran before they gather a lot of support.
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
Holland, like all French presidents, are Israel puppets. They gave them nukes after all. So no big surprise there. Talk bad against Israel in France and you'll be kicked out of the country/sued into oblivion.
Iran wants war because they believe they can withstand an Israel and US air assault and that unless they are invaded and occupied they can claim victory. No Middle East nation has ever been victorious against either the US or Israel and to declare victory against both will make Iran the leading nation across the entire region, at least for the people in the street. An Israel/US assault would also solve growing domestic political problems against the regime.
Quote:
Israel
Bibi Netanyahu obviously believes Iran threatens the survival of Israel, as no major domestic political reasons to go to war are evident. The majority of Israel's population appears to be opposed to a military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities because of retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah. But as in the US, what the majority of the people want is of no consequence.
That and it would kill all the social program protests going on and give more power to Bibi.
Quote:
USA
The old war against terror propaganda is losing ground to alternative news and opinion now available because of the Internet Reformation. Frankly, few people believe anything from either the American government or its establishment propaganda outlets and this is a frightening situation to the power elite that rules America.
Due to the growing economic crisis, the government needs to take strong actions that could be violently resisted by large segments of the US population unless a major financial or military crisis can be used as an excuse and cover for coming dictatorial actions. Simply stated, there are not enough police and military in the US to control the population should an insurrection take place. A major war in the Middle East can provide a casus belli for a direct assault against US private wealth, liberties, benefit programs and opposition by the power elite.
For example, the imposition of a military draft will dramatically cut unemployment rates as well as limit inner-city crime and outrage over cuts in domestic spending and welfare. Remember, austerity is needed and a draconian cut in Social Security and benefit programs must be engineered against the 50 percent of the population who receive some type of government benefits.
In addition, gold will need to be confiscated. Forced retirement investment into collapsing dollar denominated Treasury obligations must be required when foreign investors stop buying US debt. Stronger TSA authority, drones and harsh domestic controls will need to be implemented for the duration of the conflict in order to squelch domestic opposition. Taxes must be raised, penalties and fines must be doubled and tripled at the federal, state and municipal levels and finally, severe limitations on freedom of speech and freedom of assembly will be forced on the American people, along with gun control and limited access to Internet news and communications.
Finally, a major, long-term war in the Middle East will provide an excuse for the deferment and rescheduling of US debt obligations owed to nations and governments that oppose the US/Israel war in the Middle East. For the $1 trillion owed to China and many Middle East nations, this is effectively debt repudiation.
Quote:
China
China wants to see the US weakened long-term as a world power and a major war in the Middle East will do this. They also need a reason to dump US Treasury debt and an excuse to avoid the blame of the coming broader repudiation of US debt. The Chinese people will be justifiably outraged that the Chinese government and central bank accumulated $1 trillion in US debt, although there were legitimate global trading reasons and domestic economic justification for this over-concentration in US debt and dollar obligations.
A Middle East war would avoid direct military action between the US and China while protecting both US and Chinese politicians from the coming Treasury debt repudiation, Chinese dump and global run on the dollar and Treasuries.
Israeli airstrike on Iran would not cause radioactive disaster, say experts Though it could release toxic chemicals that would adversely affect people's health and the environment.
Yeah sure. That's not what the Pentagon 2006 report on a strike on Iran nuclear facilities said.
Netanyahu’s arrogance strengthened Ban’s resolve to visit Iran, UN officials say
Nobody has enough guts to tell Bibi to shove it, apparently Ban has enough guts to at least ignore him... the guy is a lunatic and should be ignored by everyone.
Egypt rejected U.S. demand to fire on Iranian ship: Suez chief
Egyptian Naval Forces recently rejected a U.S. demand to fire on an Iranian vessel loaded with arms and heading to Syria, the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority has told Al Arabiya.
If this is for real, Obama is a nutjob. Yeah let Egypt do your dirty business.
Iran official: Egypt's Morsi to visit Bushehr nuclear plant on sidelines of Tehran summit
Egypt has been exploring a nuclear program for quite sometime... maybe this is the first step toward a real nuclear program in Egypt? That would***** off Israel, that's for sure. And since Egypt is right on Israel's border and have quite a good military, good luck pulling an Osirak on them... you can try but not without big consequences.
Knesset speaker openly supports attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities
In an interview with Makor Rishon this week Rivlin said, “If we don’t attack [Iran], we will lose our deterrence with our enemies. If Israel keeps threatening and threatening, but in the end doesn’t act, it will place us in a bad strategic position.”
The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis is being rushed to the Persian Gulf as tensions between Israel and Iran edge closer to the boiling point.
The Nimitz class carrier, with an air wing of about 90 aircraft, sets sail Monday on an eight-month deployment to the region -- four months ahead of schedule.
Egypt is planning to open an embassy in Tehran in the near future, Iranian media reported Tuesday. The move would signify further warming in Iran-Egypt ties following the election of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
Iran, in continuing to support the Syrian government’s crackdown against protestors, publicly stated that it is sending military personnel from its elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to Syria.
The secret reason for Netanyahu's timing on Iran war
In private conversations, Netanyahu has said there is nothing after Election Day, which falls on November 6. If Obama wins, Netanyahu says, he will take revenge for the overt efforts to defeat him and will prevent Netanyahu from attacking Iran. For this reason, and only this reason, Netanyahu must go on the offensive over Iran now - some reliable sources say he will probably do it during the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina next week - when the timing is the worst for Israel. That's the price of getting portrayed as being a member of the Romney-Netanyahu-Sheldon Adelson trinity.
So... Bibi to strike Iran next week during the DNC (4-6 September)... that would sure***** off Obama.
If Netanyahu can't pass the budget, there's always war with Iran
If Netanyahu believes he can both pass a moderate budget and avoid being punished by the electorate, he’ll go for it. If not, he’ll move up the elections.
Merkel told Netanyahu during a telephone conversation 10 days ago that she thinks Netanyahu should give more time for sanctions and diplomacy to work before any such attack is made.
Report: U.S. General Dempsey says he does not want to be 'complicit' in Israeli attack on Iran The Guardian reports that U.S. General Martin Dempsey said that an Israeli attack on Iran would delay but not stop its nuclear program.
When you got the Joint Chief of Staff saying that, you know a war is soon.
Israeli membership in NATO is a type of long-term structural solution to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East that policy makers should seriously consider.
Is what I've been saying for years. It would give Israel a powerful deterrent and NATO could keep Israel's crazy governments under control.
IAEA report: Iran doubled its underground nuclear capacity
The UN International Atomic Energy Agency said in its quarterly report on Iran that the number of centrifuges at Fordo, near the holy Shi'ite Muslim city of Qom, about 130 km (80 miles) from Tehran, had more than doubled to 2,140 from 1,064 in May. The new machines were not yet operating, it said.
The report showed that Iran had produced nearly 190 kg (418 pounds) of higher-grade enriched uranium since 2010, up from 145 kg in May.
So this APPEARS to be scary. But let's talk facts here.
From various reports posted on this very thread, it would take Iran 1500 kg of 20% enriched uranium to get ONE BOMB. It took them 2 years to get 190 kg. Do the math. 7 years.
ALSO. Even if they got their 1500 kg tomorrow, it would take 60 days to enrich it to 90%+... with 8000 centrifuges. They have barely 1000-2000 working. So multiply that 60 days by 4-8... and you get 240-480 days... add that to the 7 years and Iran is NOWHERE NEAR even ONE BOMB at current pace of enrichment.
So all this talk that Iran is ``on the verge of nukes`` is total BULL****.
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
Avianphlu
Posts: 3956
Incept: 2008-12-03
Ulster NY
I dont think they could build one that fast either...however they could possibly deliver one made for them...think paki's or russians...however...after the fact everyone would know the signature of the radiation and particles and know who made it.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, is scheduled to leave for the UN on September 27, immediately after Yom Kippur, and return to Israel on September 30, just before the onset of Succot.
Although there has been talk of a meeting at the UN with US President Barack Obama, no meeting has yet been officially announced.
So... will he make a speech to the UN after an attack... (I had to do so) Or before an attack (making his case for it) ??
Since no meeting with Obama has been announced yet... maybe the rumors of a strike during the DNC is right.
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"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." -- H.L. Mencken
"Since 2002, the Agency has become increasingly concerned about the possible existence in Iran of undisclosed nuclear related activities involving military related organizations, including activities related to the development of a nuclear payload for a missile," the report said.
Vit, if you read the whole report the IAEA has some pretty serious concerns about what they don't see in Iran's nuclear program.
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"It was the money.You Americans, you believe money is power.""Belief, is power."
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