Clipmarks | merrie's 'iran' clips

Iran's latest missile test

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 05:01:38 GMT

clipped by: n2sooners

Mahmoud The Fauxtographer

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:11:51 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Update: This image, part of a framegrab from an Al Alam television broadcast of the launch (apparently taken at approximately the same time from a slightly higher elevation) makes it pretty clear which missile was conjured from borrowed pixels.

Clip Source: bp1.blogger.com

Clip Source: gatewaypundit.blogspot.com

Iran test fired a long range missile capable of reaching Israel and U.S. troops in the region. The regime reportedly fired off 9 missiles.

But, it wasn't this missile that was pictured on the Iranian Republic News website.

Clip Source: bp3.blogger.com

Clip Source: gatewaypundit.blogspot.com

This missile was fired off sometime before October 2007.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Iran's missile test bolsters the U.S. argument that Tehran is a threat -Breitbart.

UPDATE: Iranian blogger Kamangir has more bogus shots.

UPDATE 2: Charles Johnson says today's photos were photoshopped.

The Iranian rocket photos were not just dated but they were photoshopped.

Clip Source: www.suitablyflip.com

Unless Iranian missile exhaust tends to form remarkably regular patterns, someone's been busying himself with the clone tool.

Silly Mahmoud. We would've found you just as tough and manly with just the two missiles.

Tags: iran, shahab-3 missile, persian gulf waters, islamic revolutionary guard corps

McCain vs. Obama On National Security

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:31:41 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: that espouses the destruction of the State of Israel as its fondest wish and pledges undying enmity to the United States to possess the weapons to advance their malevolent ambitions." He also rejects "unconditional dialogues" with Iran.

Obama has delivered messages on Iran that were more mixed. But that only makes diplomacy more important. If we must use military force, we are more likely to succeed, and will have far greater support at home and abroad, if we have exhausted our diplomatic efforts." In the same speech, however, Obama promised: "aggressive, principled diplomacy without self-defeating preconditions....Obama missed a vote on a controversial amendment offered by Sen. Jon Kyl and Lieberman that proposed labeling Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. Obama called the amendment a repeat of the mistakes that led to war in Iraq; however, he had cosponsored an earlier bill declaring the Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization

Clip Source: newsblaze.com

IRAQ WAR

John McCain cosponsored the 2002 vote to authorize the use of force against Iraq, arguing at the time that Saddam Hussein was "a threat of the first order." Although he was a vehement critic of the administration's "mismanagement and failure" during the early war years, he advocated the surge of additional troops to Iraq and the need to stay as long as necessary to win the war.

In 2002, when he was an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama opposed the war. However, after he was elected to the U.S. Senate, he voted against early proposals by Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and others to set a timetable for withdrawal; now Obama votes consistently in favor of establishing a timetable. Obama's plan for exiting Iraq would send home one or two combat brigades a month, with most combat troops out by the end of 2009.

IRAN POLICY

McCain has been clear about his position on Iran. In February 2008, he told an audience: "I intend to make unmistakably clear to Iran we will not permit a government

Tags: mccain, obama, iraq, iran, missile defense, nuclear weapons, north korea, guantanamo bay

Damascus Reviewing Ties With Iran

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:07:25 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Damascus, 26 June (AKI) - Syria may be 'reconsidering' its relationship with Iran, according to unnamed French government officials.

Clip Source: www.adnkronos.com

In a report published on Thursday in pan-Arab daily al-Sharq al-Awsat, French officials said Iran and Syria do not agree on a number of issues and that may result in a rift.

According to French sources, Syria opposes the idea of a confessional Iraqi state under Iran's influence.

French officials also claim another point of contention is Lebanon, where they say Syria does not want any further involvement in the fragile political situation or to strengthen the Shia militia and political organisation, Hezbollah.

The French officials said Syria is more interested in strengthening and developing its ties with the European Union, western countries and negotiating with Israel.

The regime of President Bashar al-Assad is also ready to sign an agreement with the EU, which would become a tool for Syria to normalise its relations with the body and create political, trade, social, cultural and security links.

Tags: syrian president bashar al-assad, iran, lebanon, hezbollah, shia militia, european union

Sufism, Sophistry And Politics

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:56:30 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. Would the Pakistanis or the Moroccans burn their homeland by joining "the ball of fire" because Khomeinism is denied the bomb?

The "ball of fire" is a poetic expression, and I wondered where it came from.

Would Turks and Algerians jump on the "ball of fire" to show solidarity with a regime that has helped terror groups against them for decades?

Even the Syrian rulers are unlikely to risk their survival by trying to jump on El-Baradaei's "ball of fire" to please the mullahs. They like the mullahs' money, not the mullahs themselves.

Despite Tehran's massive handouts in recent years, one doubts even Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood in general would take risks to show solidarity with a regime that, while generous, has been trying to impose ideological control.

That leaves the branches of the Hezbollah, especially the largest and best-financed Lebanese one. But then, as always what Hezbollah does will be decided in Tehran not Beir

Clip Source: aawsat.com

El-Baradaei, another great Egyptian.

As a diplomat and bureaucrat in charge of one of the United Nations' affiliates, he is bound by a duty of reserve. This means that he should not use his position to askew the terms of international debate on subjects concerning his department.

El-Baradei's primary duty is to establish whether the Islamic Republic is, as the United States and its European Union allies claim, violating the terms of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). If he establishes beyond reasonable doubt, that Tehran is not trying to make a bomb, he would need no poetic cliché to prevent war. If, on the other hand, he cannot establish that or, worse still, feels that the opposite may be the case, he should not lend succor to the violator of a treaty of which he is guardian.

In any case, El-Baradaei should tell the world what exactly his "ball of fire" might consist of.

The greater Middle East, which is supposed to become "a ball of fire", is comprised of 25 countries

Tags: iran, el-baradei, middle east"ball or fire", syria, hezbollah, hamas, strait of hormuz,

Obama: It's Only About Winning

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:08:13 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: But here's what's scary: For all of Kerry's reputed smoothness and Eastern intellect, he often tied himself in knots trying to reconcile his absurdly opposing positions. Obama can flip and flop with unmatched alacrity and facility and with the absence of self-consciousness and accountability of an accomplished sociopath. This guy doesn't even acknowledge he's changing positions; he does it without breaking a sweat and never looks back.

I ask you to consider the common thread underlying these turnarounds his nearly immediate backtracking on whether Iran poses a serious threat to America; his progressive position shifts on Iraq from "don't go in, stay in, and get out"; and his vigorous defense then abandonment of both his pastor and his church.

The common thread, in a word, is expedience. It is not toughness; it is not savvy; it is not gravitas; and by all means, it is not admirable.

Barack Obama is every bit as politically calculating as Bill Clinton but twice as smooth.

Clip Source: www.davidlimbaugh.com

The Washington Post reports that Sen. Barack Obama is aggressively trying to reintroduce himself to voters, echoing the spin of Obama's advisers that not everyone knows him yet. In reality, Obama's major campaign challenge will not be to reveal, but to conceal his true identity.

The Post says that in his reintroduction, Obama has "offered a clear road map for the kind of candidate he is likely to become...: an ambitious gamer of the electoral map, a ruthless fundraiser and a scrupulous manager of his own biography in the face of persistent concerns about how he is perceived."

What the Post left out is that Obama has also shown himself to be an unscrupulous master of the politics of calculation and expedience. Whether on public finance, NAFTA, Iran, Iraq, Jerusalem, special interests, Cuba, illegal immigration or the decriminalization of marijuana, Obama has demonstrated a propensity for flip-flopping that could embarrass the grandmaster himself, Sen. John Kerry.

Tags: obama, bafta, iran, iraq, illegal immigration, jerusalem, public finance, energy

Habitat For Hamas

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:32:46 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Please support us in our efforts to legitimize Hamas, they are much more than just a terrorist organization.

Habitat for Hamas will help with Hamas families housing problem, despite the group’s stated commitment to the violent destruction of the state of Israel, because you can’t always get prerequisites adopted by other people before you even grovel and beg.

Clip Source: www.thepeoplescube.com

Proud new homeowner Shaul Thabet says, "Israelis bulldozed our old home accusing us of using it as a
base for suicide attacks. I am so proud of my husband.
I am happy that Allah has granted him the chance to be
a martyr. Soon our baby son will follow in his footsteps".

Habitat for Hamas has shown that building homes does more than put a roof over someone’s head. It also provides them a environment for training, planning, and executing missions.

Whether it be Rhodesia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, or North Korea, Jimmy is able to highlight the errors of American foreign policy and show the world that thugs, dictators, despots, and fascists are people too.

We at CODEPINK strongly believe in Habitat for Hamas's mission to undermine Bush and America.

AIR-AFAT Heating and Cooling is a palestinian company founded in 1959. Profits are held in a Swiss bank account rainy day fund for the benefit of all Palestinians.

These companies have donated their products and services to Habitat for Hamas.

Tags: habitat for hamas, jimmy carter, khaled mashaal, syria, palestine, arafat, iran

'End the War in 2009' February 20, 2008 The Nation

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:33:56 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: General David Petraeus will be testifying in Washington that the conditions are improving in Iraq and that the United States must "stay the course." Petraeus will be acting as a de facto surrogate for McCain in domestic politics. Obama will have to respond to the general's serious claims without retreating from the commitment he has given to early withdrawal.The questions of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan could intensify as a symbol of America's current policies towards terrorism. McCain has already absorbed both neoconservative doctrines and the neoconservatives themselves in his campaign against "Islamo-fascism" as the greatest threat in American history.
They will attack Obama for proposing to pull the plug on Iraq just when the tide is turning.

They will question Obama's experience in pushing for diplomacy towards Iran, draw him out on why he favors more troops in Afghanistan and a pre-emptive strike against Pakistan if there is "actionable intelligence."

Clip Source: www.thenation.com

In his victory speech in Texas Tuesday, Barack Obama promised to end the Iraq war in 2009, a new commitment that parallels recent opinion pieces in The Nation.

Ending the war in the first year of his potential presidency, therefore, is the strongest stand Obama has taken thus far, and one he will be questioned on sharply by the Republicans and the media. As Juan Cole noted last year, the Bush-Cheney team is preparing a "poison pill" of disorder and blame for any future President contemplating an Iraq troop withdrawal.

Did Obama mean it? Was it only rhetoric? Perhaps, but as Obama has said over and over lately, words make a difference. He may be asked to square his 2009 goal with his previous eighteen-month timetable.

But McCain's personal experience as a tough Navy pilot and prisoner of war makes him much more formidable than Hillary Clinton as a "national security" advocate against Obama

Obama faces two immediate tests aside from the primary contests ahead

Tags: 2009, obama, end iraq war, mccain, israel, pakistan, iran, afghanistan

BBC:Syria 'To Name Mughniyeh Killer'

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 03:58:11 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: 'Secret investigation' Damascus has already
solved the crime and will present 'irrefutable proof'; "As a state, we will irrefutably prove the party involved in this crime and who stands behind it. An investigation is ongoing."

That's some speedy 'secret investigating', and
yet, the parties behind the assassination of
Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri after three years
of NO secret investigations, remains unsolved.

Three years ago today, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was brutally assassinated in a massive bombing in downtown Beirut. One month later, on March 14, 2005, the Lebanese people took to the streets to demand Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon.

Tehran is bent on avenging the death of its top terror tactician Imad Mughniyeh who was struck down in Damascur. Even before the high-ranking Iranian military investigation team, chief of the IRGC’s al Qods Brigades, began a rush job the next day, Israel was singled out as the target for punishment by Iran, Hizballah an

Clip Source: www.freerepublic.com

'Secret investigation'

Speaking after meeting his Iranian counterpart in Damascus, Mr Moualem said the Syrian security services had devoted huge resources to their investigation into "this despicable crime" and would soon unmask the killer.

Mr Moualem declined to say whether the security forces had detained anyone in connection with the attack or name the chief suspects.

Nevertheless, Mr Moualem asserted Mughniyeh's death had "assassinated all efforts for peace" between Syria and Israel.

Nasrallah blamed Israel for Imad Mughniyeh's assassination

Analysts say his death is a significant blow to Hezbollah, which battled Israel in the 2006 Lebanon war with help from its Iranian and Syrian backers.

Hezbollah was founded in 1982 by a group of Shia Muslim clerics after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It has emerged in recent years as a major political and military force in Lebanon, after military successes against Israel.

Tags: mughniyeh, damascus, al-moualem, security services, mughniyeh killer, iran, nasrallah, hezbollah, pm rafiq hariri, lebanon

Iran's Nuclear Program

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:32:01 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Editorial cartoonists comment on the National Intelligence Estimate that says Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program years ago.

Clip Source: www.ocregister.com

Cartoon by LISA BENSON / Washington Post Writers Group

Cartoon by MIKE RAMIREZ / Investor's Business Daily

Tags: iran, nuclear, programs, hezbollah, ahmadinejad, president bush, nie, cia

300,000 Iraqi's Sign Petition Condemning Iran

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:02:46 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: "The most poisonous dagger stabbed in us, the Iraqi Shi'ites, is the (Iranian) regime shamefully exploiting the Shi'ite sect to implement its evil goals," the statement said. The statement said that besides 600 Shi'ite tribal leaders, the petition was signed by a number of lawyers, engineers, doctors and university professors.

"They have targeted our national interests and began planning to divide Iraq and to separate the southern provinces from Iraq."
Iran routinely pledges its support for a stable Iraq, and political leaders from Baghdad regularly visit Tehran.

Clip Source: www.reuters.com

More than 300,000 Iraqis including 600 Shi'ite tribal leaders have signed a petition accusing Iran of sowing "disorder" in southern Iraq, a group of sheikhs involved in the campaign said.

Iranian influence has grown steadily, especially in the predominantly Shi'ite south, since the U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.

"More than 300,000 people from the southern provinces condemned the interference of the Iranian regime in Iraq and especially in spreading security disorder in the provinces," the sheikhs said in a statement.

The group of sheikhs is the same one that told Reuters last month that Shi'ite Islamist political parties were imposing strict Islamic rules in southern Iraq and using their armed wings to create a state of fear.

The growing strength of the Shi'ite parties in the south has weakened some secular tribal leaders and excluded them from power structures, a source of patronage and revenues.

Tags: shiite, sheikhs, petition, iran, interference, southern provinces, condemned

Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:59:53 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: The Malaysian carmaker Proton has announced plans to develop an "Islamic car", designed for Muslim motorists.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Proton is planning on teaming up with manufacturers in Iran and Turkey to create the unique vehicle.

Safety features or fuel economy is one way of selling a car, but Proton thinks vehicles designed specifically for Muslims across the world represent a huge gap in the market.

Proton is the most dominant car on the streets here but the company has suffered recently after the government allowed more foreign cars to be imported.

The car could boast special features like a compass pointing to Mecca and a dedicated space to keep a copy of the Koran and a headscarf.

The idea came during a visit to the Middle East by a delegation of Malaysian politicians and businessmen.

Malaysian press reports say officials in Iran originally suggested the idea.

The firm has been in talks recently with VW about a takeover by the German car giant.

Tags: malaysia, iran, turkey, mecca compass, proton, muslim vehicle, koran, head scarf

Stop Child Executions In Iran:::Sign The Petition

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:18:33 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: The usual method of execution is hanging, but Iranian law also opens for stoning as punishment for adultery and incest. In 2002 the head of the judiciary announced a moratorium on stoning. Iranian judges have later imposed sentences of stoning, but these are usually overturned higher up in the court system. However, Amnesty International has reported that in May 2006, a man and a woman was executed by stoning in a cemetery in Mashhad, by members of the Revolutionary Guard and Bassij Forces

This is in direct violation of Iran's obligations as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
By signing them, Iran has undertaken not to execute anyone for an offense committed when they were under the age of 18. These treaties also prohibit the use of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments

Capital offenses in Iran include murder, rape, armed robbery, apostasy, blasphemy, serious drug t

Clip Source: www.stopchildexecutions.com

Mona Mahmudnizhad (f)

16 year old Mona were together with 9 other Bahai women executed in June 1983. The primary charge against her was teaching Bahá’í children’s classes. Because her youth and conspicuous innocence became a symbol of the group in prison, she was lashed on the soles of her feet with a cable and forced to walk on bleeding feet. On the day of the execution she asked to be the last in line to be executed so she could pray for the others. All she had to do to avoid execution was to denounce her faith but she refused, and instead when it was her turn, she kissed the rope and put it around her own neck.

This music video was made for her by the Canadian musician Doug Cameron.

More information:

http://www.adressformona.org/storyofmona/storyofmona1.htm

Clip Source: www.stopchildexecutions.com

The only reason for using suspension instead of long drop is to prolong the suffering of the condemned.
If the execution is public, the condemned prisoner is often hoisted into the air by a telescopic crane.

Tags: child, execution, iran, amnesty international

China's Betrayal Of Israel:Fighter Jets Sale To Iran

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:29:10 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: At a time when U.S. and Israeli officials are increasingly considering the heavy burden of having to attack Iran’s nuclear weapons related facilities, China’s sale of the J-10 to Iran may signal the beginning of a deeper Chinese effort to protect Iran’s nuclear aspirations, much as it has ensured North Korea’s nuclear weapons development. The J-10’s defensive capabilities would be formidable, as would its ability to perform all-weather strikes with new precision guided weapons against Israeli or U.S. targets. For Israel a J-10 sale to Iran would mark a sobering betrayal of Israel’s considerable efforts to help China’s military modernization, to include its substantial help with the J-10 program, and one of its air-to-air missiles, both of which may apparently arm Iran.

Clip Source: www.familysecuritymatters.org

China’s early 1990s assistance to Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs likely mean that Tehran never took seriously Israel’s plan to separate her from her Chinese ally. China’s demand for Iran’s oil plus its desire to force Iran’s Islamic radical leadership to ignore the plight of China’s Muslims sealed its decision to support Iran’s Mullah government. Israel and the United States now face an Iranian-Chinese alliance having a clear military character. China now appears prepared to use Israeli technology to help Iran defend its nuclear weapons program aimed at Israel and the United States.

# #

According to an October 23^rd report by Russia’s Kommersant, “Iran has signed a contract with China for the delivery of two squadrons of J-10 fighter planes

On October 24^th a reputable Asian source confirmed this sale to the IASC, noting that it will include 20 single seat J-10A fighters, 4 J-10S twin-seat fighters, 120 SD-10A medium-range self-guided air-to-air missile

Tags: u.s., israeli technology, china, iran, oil, russia, j-10 fighter jets

United Nations Gallery Of Despots And Dictators

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:03:00 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Why are we funding the U.N.'s "human rights" nonsense?
When President Bush told the United Nations General Assembly this week "the American people are disappointed by the failures of the Human Rights Council," his words could not have been more timely or deserved. He pointed out "This body has been silent on repression by regimes from Havana to Caracas to Pyongyang and Tehran - while focusing its criticism excessively on Israel." On Friday, the Council piled the dung heap higher. It wrapped up another session in Geneva by adopting two more resolutions against Israel and no resolutions critical of the human-rights record of any of the other 191 U.N. member states.

Clip Source: mail.google.com

Clip Source: www.eyeontheun.org

Libya was elected on October 16, 2007 to the UN Security Council, a position it will assume in January. Last month Syria was elected Vice-Chair of the General Conference of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. Libya and Syria join a long list of dictators, despots and human rights violators in UN leadership positions – positions that entail responsibilities diametrically opposed to their incumbents' qualifications. Here are only a few of today's UN authority figures:

U.N. Security Council: Libya

International Atomic Energy Agency General Committee, Vice-President: Syria

U.N. Disarmament Commission Vice-Chairman: Iran, Rapporteur ; Syria

U.N. Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law Advisory Committee: Iran, Lebanon, Sudan

Commission for Social Development: North Korea

Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: Libya, Russia

U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) Vice-President: Myanmar

Tags: security council, iaea, dprk, iran, syria, sudan, russia, myanmar, china, libya