Mideast News Flash Update 2-8-12
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Mideast News Flash
For February 8, 2012
Editor's Note: The situation in the Middle East is extremely tenuous and fast-moving in unpredictable directions. We're still trying to get an accurate handle on whether or not war is imminent. While we think war is not imminent, there are numerous factors and intelligence reports suggesting otherwise. We're still compiling intelligence reports on when (not if) military action will take place, but it does seem sooner rather than later in the year. We can characterize Israeli leadership nerves to be rather "jumpy" and the situation is very fluid. Things could change on a dime at a moment's notice. Stay tuned. The following is a listing of the latest key developments in the Middle East.
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President Obama Issues Executive Order
Against Iranian Central Banking Activities
Cites Prior Executive Order Declaring
National Emergency
On Sunday, February 5, 2012 the President issued an executive order pursuant to previous executive orders dating back to previous presidencies involving Iran which placed the United States into a "national emergency" in regards to dealings with the government of Iran. The latest action deals with banking transactions involving the central bank of Iran.
The latest executive order is part of a White House effort to force the Iranian regime into halting its nuclear weapons program. You can read for yourself the actual executive order at this White House website page, LINK HERE. Also you can watch the YouTube video clip off of C-Span television coverage of Congress reading the Executive Order into the Congressional Record. See LINK HERE.
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Iran Official Warns:
US, Israel Vulnerable to Counterattack
The United States and Israel are in no position to launch a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities because of their high susceptibility to retaliatory attacks from the Islamic Republic, a senior Iranian military commander said Tuesday.
The Tehran Times quoted Jazayeri as saying that Iran will continue to pursue its objectives without considering, what he referred to as, Washington's policy of "carrot and stick."
The senior Revolutionary Guard official made the comments in response to remarks made by US President Barack Obama on Sunday in which he stated that diplomacy and not military action was the "preferred solution" to the dispute over Iran's nuclear program.
More details, LINK HERE.
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Operation Bold Alligator Underway
Joint U.S.-EU Military Exercise
20,000+ Troops For Beach Landings
Weeklong Drill Simulates Invasion of "Iran"
Your not hearing about this much in the mainstream news media, but the United States is conducting a weeklong military war exercise called "Operation Bold Alligator." It is primarily an amphibious exercise being carried out along the North Carolina coastline with beach landings by US Marines as well as Dutch, British and French forces plus observers from Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. 25 warships are also participating in the operation.
U.S. officials acknowledge that the training exercise is a fictional scenario that mirrors the situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. For more on the military exercise, LINK HERE. Additional details, LINK HERE.
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Iran Deploys 15,000 Troops To Syria
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Foreign Embassies In Israel Prepare for War
As Israel Conducts New Military Drills
Diplomats at foreign embassies in Israel are starting to make contingency preparations for war between Israel and Iran. Diplomats are reportedly seeking to purchase gas masks and obtain maps of nearby bomb shelters for embassy staffers. All of this, just in case of a missile attack by Iran, Syria or Hezbollah against Israel.
The Israeli government has complied with requests for maps of local bomb shelters.
Meanwhile, IDF forces are conducting a 2-day emergency drill is southern Israel and the city of Ashkelon. Simultaneously, the Israeli Air Force will conduct drills in the northern Galilee region. For more details on both of these developments, LINK HERE.
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Foreign Press Rents Tel Aviv Rooftops
To Provide for Possible Iran War News Coverage
Various news organizations are staking out rooftop positions in Tel Aviv that will provide panoramic views of the city in anticipation of future bombing scenes once war breaks out between Israel and Iran. Particularly noteworthy indications that "something is up" comes from reports that American television news networks are scoping out the situation for future coverage. CBS, Fox News, and NBC are reported to have sent senior producers to Israel to prepare for coverage. This is reminscent of what occured in the days leading up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
LINK HERE for corroboration from an Israeli website source.
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U.S. & Israel Split on Ways
To Deter Iran's Nuke Program
New York Times confirms what we've long been reporting for quite some time now. Details, LINK HERE.
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Israel To Build Migrant Detention Camp
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Iran Boosts Nuclear Work
In Underground Bunkers
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US Closes Syrian Embassy Amid Chaos
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Israeli Cabinet Mulls Response to Iran Threat
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Russian SS-26 Missiles Placed In Syria
Seen Shifting Balance of Power in Region
Extremely Dangerous Threat to Israel
Russia has now placed SS-26 missiles in Syria as part of an effort to prop up the Assad regime and counter Western threats to topple Assad by outside military intervention.
The SS-26 is a very precise, mobile missile system that threatens Israel's existence even without WMDs attached. For more on this - LINK HERE.
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UK & Qatari Commandoes In Syria
Assisting Rebels with Advice & Communications
Commando forces from Britain and Qatar have begun operating in the key city of Hom, Syria - according to a Debka.com report. They are operating undercover.
Meanwhile, Debka reports that Turkish leaders are in urgent consultations with Arab and Western leaders for possible troop invasion of Syria from Turkey. At the same time, Russia's Foreign Minister is in Damascus for consultations with Syria's President Assad. The Russians continue to warn of Russian military intervention if foreign nations interfere in Syrian affairs.
For more on the Debka report, LINK HERE. For additional details on the Russian interference, LINK HERE.
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EU Threatens New Sanctions on Syria
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Iranian Lawmakers Call For Cut-Off
Of Oil Supplies To EU Over Nuke Sanctions
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US Official Warns:
Int'l Militarizaion in Syria Grows Closer
The international community may be forced to militarize the crisis in Syria unless President Assad stops the onslaught of his people. More details, LINK HERE.
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U.S. Reviews Military Options on Syria
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