Clipmarks | Iran Clips

Asia Times: Bush hid Musharraf's Al Qaeda links

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:29:46 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: al-Qaeda "was a creation of the jihadist culture of the Pakistani army; Bush whitewashed connections to nuclear technology sales.

Clip Source: www.atimes.com

Bush buried Musharraf's al-Qaeda links

What has not been reported is that the Bush administration

covered up the Musharraf regime's involvement in the activities of the Abdul Qadeer Khan nuclear technology export program and its deals with al-Qaeda's Pakistani tribal allies.

the Pakistani military, over which Musharraf presided, was the real terrorist nexus with the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

al-Qaeda "was a creation of the jihadist culture of the Pakistani army

After 9/11, the White House created the political myth that Musharraf, faced with a clear choice, had "joined the free world in fighting the terrorists". But

on September 19, 2001

Musharraf gave a televised speech in Urdu in which he declared, "We are trying our best to come out of this critical situation without any damage to Afghanistan and the Taliban."

The Bush administration also gave Musharraf and the military regime a free ride on the Khan network's selling of nuclear technology to Libya and Iran

Tags: bush, war, pakistan, al qaeda

McCain Doesn't Disagree that We Might Need a Draft

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:10:21 GMT

clipped by: cptenaud
clipper's remarks: Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org said, "At least Senator McCain is being honest. A vote for him is a vote for the draft. Period. Unless Senator McCain radically changes his worldview, there would be a draft to implement his plans."

Soltz added, "When you take into account his indefinite military commitment to Iraq, his desire to send more troops to Afghanistan, record lows in recruiting and retention, and possibly more wars he is looking to get into, like "Bomb Bomb Bomb" Iran, his numbers don't add up without a draft. Whether America likes it or not isn't relevant - a draft is the only way to do everything Senator McCain wants to do. I give him points for being honest and upfront, though, that we're going to need a draft if he is elected."

This isn't the first time that Senator McCain has hinted at a reinstitution of the draft if he is elected. Asked on September 29, 2007 in New Hampshire about the draft, McCain said he would "consider it."

Clip Source: www.vetvoice.com

by: Brandon Friedman

Wed Aug 20

This is absolutely amazing. A woman told John McCain today that we might need a draft to accomplish all his foreign policy goals. And he said he didn't disagree.

So there you have it: McCain = Draft. Here's the response from VoteVets:

VETERANS REACT TO MCCAIN'S ADMISSION THAT HE'LL NEED A MILITARY DRAFT
WASHINGTON - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans today reacted to John McCain's statement that he doesn't disagree that we would need a military draft to do everything he wants. At a town hall in Las Cruces, NM, a woman said she could not see doing everything McCain wanted, and would not have the troops under his plan to follow Osama bin Laden to the "gates of hell" without a draft. In response, McCain said, "I don't disagree with anything you said." The video of that can be viewed here:

[Video]

Tags: john mccain, draft

What are they afraid of

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:59:19 GMT

clipped by: sillysam
clipper's remarks: If you had any doubts as to Russian designs on Eastern Europe and the Caucasus erase them from your mind. Russia knows that this missile shield is designed to shield Europe from Middle Eastern attacks.

Clip Source: www.breitbart.com

Russia warns of response to US missile shield

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia says its response to the further development of a U.S. missile shield in Poland will go beyond diplomacy.

Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the U.S. missile shield plans are clearly aimed at weakening Russia.

The U.S. says the missile defense system is aimed at protecting the U.S. and Europe from future attacks from states like Iran.

The United States and Poland signed a deal Wednesday to place a U.S. missile defense base just 115 miles from Russia's westernmost fringe.

US, Poland Sign Missile Deal

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:50:28 GMT

clipped by: Wisco
clipper's remarks: A few points to consider here:

1. This is being put across as a response to the Russo-Georgian crisis, but dumbass moves like this are actually one of the causes.

2. It's a BS system that doesn't work about 99% of the time.

3. Russia's statement that it would be the target of a nuke attack is a statement of fact, not a threat. If Russia ever feels the need to launch an attack on anyone, they'd take out these missile defense systems first, as ineffective as they are. Poland is foolishly painting a big bullseye on their back.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

The US and Poland have signed a deal to locate part of the US's controversial missile defence system on Polish soil.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice travelled to Warsaw for the ceremony, after 18 months of negotiations.

The deal has angered Russia, which has warned the base could become a target for a nuclear strike.

Washington says the system will protect the US and much of Europe against missile attacks from "rogue elements" in the Middle East such as Iran.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the presidential palace in Warsaw, she emphasised that the missile system was "defensive and aimed at no-one".

Russia's deputy chief of general staff, Gen Anatoly Nogovitsyn, said last week the plans for a missile base in Poland "could not go unpunished".

"It is a cause for regret that at a time when we are already in a difficult situation, the American side further exacerbates the situation in relations between the United States and Russia," he said.

Tags: news

Iranian minister's Oxford degree a 'fake'

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:34:37 GMT

clipped by: diplomamillnews

Clip Source: www.theage.com.au

Iran's new interior minister has raised an uproar among lawmakers over an allegedly fake claim he holds an honourary doctorate from England's Oxford University.

Oxford denies that it awarded Ali Kordan a doctorate of law, as he claimed to parliament before it approved his appointment to the post this month.

The Religeous Right has Co opted Christianity

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:36:16 GMT

clipped by: klippety
clipper's remarks: No, Iran does not have the same religion as the US. Is that in itself reason to bomb? According to McCain, apropos Cain, what did he do to his brother?

Clip Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

McCain's "Judeo-Christian Values" References Troubling

On a frozen winter evening at a Town Hall meeting in a school in the Manchester, N.H., suburbs, John McCain expressed surprise and irritation with an intelligence report downplaying the threat of Iran's nuclear program.

At the end of a long list of reasons to be suspicious of the Iranians, McCain declared: "And they sure don't share our Judeo-Christian values."

It seemed at the time to be an odd thing to say about a Muslim country. After all, even if there were no nuclear program, no oil, and no rabble-rousing president, Iran still wouldn't have Judeo-Christian values. And it's troubling to wonder if that alone would be a reason for suspicion.

Read the whole story here.

Project sensored...

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:17:08 GMT

clipped by: rvnurse2b
clipper's remarks: This isn't the only news that isn't being broadcast...

Clip Source: www.projectcensored.org

# 25 Who Will Profit from Native Energy?

# 24 Media Misquotes Threat From Iran’s President

# 23 Feinstein’s Conflict of Interest in Iraq

# 22 North Invades Mexico

# 21 US Seeks WTO Immunity for Illegal Farm Payments

# 20 Terror Act Against Animal Activists

# 19 People’s Movement Challenges Neoliberal Agenda

# 17 Drinking Water Contaminated by Military and Corporations

# 15 Toxic Exposure Can Be Transmitted to Future Generations on a “Second Genetic Code”

# 10 Vulture Funds Threaten Poor Nations’ Debt Relief

#9 Privatization of America’s Infrastructure

#7 Behind Blackwater Inc.

#6 Operation FALCON Raids

#5 Human Traffic Builds US Embassy in Iraq

# 4 Frenzy of Increasingly Destructive Trade Agreements

# 3 AFRICOM: US Military Control of Africa’s Resources

#2 Bush Moves Toward Martial Law

#1 No Habeas Corpus for “Any Person”

#8 KIA: The US Neoliberal Invasion of India

# 11 The Scam of “Reconstruction” in Afghanistan

# 13 Immigrant Roundups to Gain Cheap Labor for US Corporate Giants

FAIL: Iran Satellite launch

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:50:30 GMT

clipped by: The REAL Napster
clipper's remarks: Eggs on the face, or cover story?

Clip Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

Sources: Iran tried but failed to launch satellite

Tehran insists it was merely a test; blow-up may have political effects

A defense official confirmed to NBC News on Tuesday that the Iranian attempt was being viewed as a failure, and that Iran's claims about the missile test were seen as a cover story to conceal this.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the assessment, but his views echo other reports emerging from Western intelligence sources.

Soon after reaching an altitude above 500,000 feet, the missile failed and broke apart, the source said. The missile broke up when the second stage was firing, and the resulting debris was scattered across Iran and the Gulf of Oman, he said. The rocket was apparently aiming for an orbit about 400 miles (650 kilometers) high, inclined to the equator about 62 degrees.

Iranian news agencies waited 18 hours to announce the launch on Sunday afternoon

Tags: iran, satellite, fail

Beauty of Iran

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:46:45 GMT

clipped by: Kelika
clipper's remarks: From the site: "Richly-textured land, rarely seen in the West

Outside of politics, this is a fascinating, enchanting world, rarely shown in all its color. Since our first part we received many requests to continue with the series, and in fact, we'll continue to highlight the natural beauty of Near and Middle East countries, such as Armenia, Lebanon and Israel. In our humble opinion, people should learn to appreciate natural beauty and historic customs, without reaching for a "telescopic finder" of a rifle."

Clip Source: www.darkroastedblend.com

"Armenian Church Maryam-e Moghadas (The Holy Mary)", photo by Peter Kerber

"Woods of Mazanderan", photo by Zohreh Ghaemi

"Oroumieh Lake", photo by Hamid Sedghinejad

"Saayeh khosh formations in Southern Iran", photo by Sizif

"A mansion in Uramanat" Photo: paveh2005

"Sobatan Village - Ardebil", photo by Ali Vakilirad

"A Stream in the Golestan Province", photo by Avahid

"In Alam Kooh Mountains", photo by MountainZone

"Emam Mosque - Isfahan", photo by Sergej Marsnjak

Akhavan Residence

Persian Miniature by Bagher Aghamiri

Tags: photos, iran

Neo-Coms are the threat

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:32:28 GMT

clipped by: jatfla
clipper's remarks: This article makes so much sense!!

Clip Source: www.jpost.com

Neo-coms are the threat

After the Berlin Wall fell, many Western analysts thought the successor to the Soviet Union would willingly give up its satellite states and move inexorably toward democracy.

Then-president George H.W. Bush, who had been head of the CIA and ambassador to China, felt we were moving to "a new world order."

Many in the State Department, especially secretary of state James Baker, felt that the "end of the Cold War" meant an end to the special status of Israel in Middle Eastern affairs, not dreaming that the rise of radical versions of Shi'ite and Sunni Islam exported by Iran and the Saudis might make the country more valuable than ever.

But history does not move in straight lines or dialectical patterns to suit liberal social scientists or Marxist social theorists. Rather, it repeats itself or moves in cycles, based not only on economic factors but those of custom, culture, religion and human nature.

Report From a Forgotten War: Second in a Series

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:48:43 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Taliban leaders also provided a haven for Usama bin Laden's Al Qaeda to launch the 9/11 attack. In November 2001, when they were deposed by the U.S.-backed Northern Alliance, many of the Taliban fled south to Pakistan and east into Iran. This spring, they came back, intent on overthrowing the democratically elected government of President Hamid Karzi. That's when the Marines of TF 2/7 arrived "in country" to train and mentor Afghan Army and police forces.

It's been a challenging assignment for the 1300 Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen of TF 2/7. The unit's Area of Operations (A/O) is more than 28,000 square kilometers — roughly the size of Vermont. There is only one paved highway. Overland transport to some of the fifteen forward bases and combat outposts where TF 2/7 operates often takes more than 24 hours of continuous day and night movement. Until this week — when four CH-53 transport helos and four Cobra gunships arrived, the task force had to rely on NATO aircraft...

Clip Source: greatafghanistanadventure.blogspot.com

Clip Source: www.foxnews.com

Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan — This British-built fortress, perched on a plateau in southwestern Afghanistan, is well named. Surrounded by miles of open desert, the citadel has its own concrete runway, water supply, sewage, electricity, Level 3 Trauma Hospital, even fire mains — all constructed in the last 30 months.

The heavily-armed camp is home to British, Danish, Estonian and Czech troops of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). It's also home to Task Force 2/7 (T/F 2/7), built around the legendary 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment out of Marine Corps Base 29 Palms, California — a good place to prepare for this austere terrain and oppressive heat. Camp Bastion is an outpost of sanity in an otherwise insane part of the world.

Helmand Province is the heartland of the Taliban — the Islamic radicals who won a bloody civil war to rule Afghanistan in 1996. Once in power, the Taliban imposed strict Sharia law

Tags: camp bastion, helmand province, afghanistan, british, danish, estonian and czech troops, 2nd battalion, 7th marine regiment, nato aircraft

Ron Suskind vs. Bush Admin on Iraq-9/11 Fakery

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:06:13 GMT

clipped by: blueridge
clipper's remarks: Suskind's book has provided documentation of evidence and inside witnesses within the CIA and British Intelligence sources that a fake letter was ordered "from the White House" pretending to be from Saddam's Intelligence Chief to Saddam (whom the U.S. relocated and paid $5 million to) which was laden with lies and a claim of ties between Mohammad Atta (supposed 9/11 ringleader), Al Qaeda, and Iraq--back-dated prior to 9/11--which provided deliberately false claims to connect Iraq to 9/11. The White House has denied (see previous clipmark) but award-winning journalist Suskind summarizes his sources and defends his allegations on Democracy Now (see first podcast "listen" link).

The second podcast, Aug. 14, includes House Judiciary Chair John Conyers who has already started an investigation under way which will lead to some kind of action. Conyer's stated the the Senate Intelligence Committee, headed by Jay Rockefeller, has the power to review classified documents to verify this.

Clip Source: www.democracynow.org

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Watch Listen

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Watch Listen

Tags: bush, 9/11, cia, iraq, al qaeda, mohammad atta, cheney, neoconservatives, war

Israel Will Act to Prevent a Nuclear Iran

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:57:51 GMT

clipped by: dl211
clipper's remarks: Iraq would become increasingly destabilized and the existence of the state of Israel will be directly threatened.

Consider that, for many years, Iran has made no secret of its dubious long-term intentions. Israel's destruction has long been its fundamental objective.

The multi-year international crisis with Iran is nearing its conclusion. Several months from now, Iran will have successfully achieved the capability to produce a nuclear weapon. Sadly, international diplomacy and an ineffective United Nations will not deter Iran from its nuclear ambition.

The result is that the world is well on the path to another international military confrontation. Indeed, the ongoing threats from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appear to leave Israel very little choice.

In the next six months, Israel will act to prevent a nuclear Iran.

Clip Source: www.bestsyndication.com

Israel Will Act to Prevent a Nuclear Iran

The United Nations is proving once again how irrelevant it is in preventing wars and resolving conflicts. Three rounds of impotent United Nations Security Council sanctions have not acted as a deterrent in stopping Iran from its path of uranium enrichment.

In fact, it would appear that any further sanctions in the next several months will prove equally futile as well. As a result, many international experts now believe that Iran is only six months away from enriching uranium and the procurement of its own nuclear weapons.

In addition, terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah will gain direct access to new Iranian weapons of mass destruction. Iraq would become increasingly destabilized and the existence of the state of Israel will be directly threatened.

Tags: israel, iran, nukes

Balance Of Power- Geo-Political Assessment

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:57:01 GMT

clipped by: klippety
clipper's remarks: This is an excellent summary of Balance of Power

Clip Source: www.stratfor.com

The Russo-Georgian War and the Balance of Power

The Russian invasion of Georgia has not changed the balance of power in Eurasia. It simply announced that the balance of power had already shifted. The United States has been absorbed in its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as potential conflict with Iran and a destabilizing situation in Pakistan. It has no strategic ground forces in reserve and is in no position to intervene on the Russian periphery. This, as we have argued, has opened a window of opportunity for the Russians to reassert their influence in the former Soviet sphere. Moscow did not have to concern itself with the potential response of the United States or Europe; hence, the invasion did not shift the balance of power. The balance of power had already shifted, and it was up to the Russians when to make this public. They did that Aug. 8.

On the night of Thursday, Aug. 7, forces of the Republic of Georgia drove across the border of South Ossetia

Why McCain is more dangerous than Bush

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:06:43 GMT

clipped by: masbury
clipper's remarks: Caught up in his fear that a military failure would encourage America's enemies, McCain can see no alternative to military victory, no matter what the cost.

Clip Source: www.alternet.org

During the hottest days of the Cold War, Gen. Thomas Power headed the Strategic Air Command, whose nuclear-armed B-52s were meant to deter the Soviet Union. General Power, like many of the Air Force brass at the time, believed that nuclear war with the Soviets was inevitable. He thought the United States would do better to fight that war sooner rather than later and believed we could emerge victorious. "At the end of the war," he argued in 1960, "if there are two Americans and one Russian, we win!"

Counter-insurgency and nuclear obliteration are poles apart, I know. But McCain's insistence on "winning in Iraq," remaining there "until Iraq is secure," and "bomb-bomb-bombing Iran" reveal the same mindset that made General Power so dangerous. Caught up in his fear that a military failure would encourage America's enemies, McCain can see no alternative to military victory, no matter what the cost. This

could prove extremely self-destructive in a commander in chief.

Tags: mccain, politics