MARCHING ORDERS FROM THE HOUSE OF SAUD....
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 21:45
Nawaf Obaid is "an adviser to the Saudi government," but his opinions "are his own and do not reflect official Saudi policy." Roger that. With that boilerplate warning out of the way, Obaid takes to the pages of the
Washington Post to warn us in no uncertain terms that if we try to withdraw from Iraq,
the Saudi monarchy will make us very, very sorry: (More)
Iran Planning Nuclear “Surprise”?
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:44
The Jerusalem Post reports that Report: Iran planning nuclear ’surprise’.
Now, while one does not want to ignore the real threat posed by Iran, I will note that this reminds we of previous posturing by Iran on this subject (and indeed, is generically reminiscent of the claims of communist regimes of yore when they wanted to either get the international community’s attention or, more likely, boost the morale of their citizens).
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Speaking of Iranian Nukes…
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:41
Via WaPo we find: U.S. Spy Agencies Criticized On Iran
A key House committee issued a stinging critique of U.S. intelligence on Iran yesterday, charging that the CIA and other agencies lack “the ability to acquire essential information necessary to make judgments” on Tehran’s nuclear program, its intentions or even its ties to terrorism.
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More on Iraq and Civil War
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:31
Before getting into this discussion, let me note that there are two clear ways in which to discussion this issue of civil war. There is a clear political aspect where what the violence is called has policy implications. The Bush administration and its defenders are clearly prone to want to avoid using the term “civil war” while there is no doubt that opponents want to label it a “civil war” because that of the obvious negative connotations.
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Memo Shocker: Doubts about Maliki!!
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:30
Sadr Bloc Boycotts Iraqi Government
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:28
Via WaPo: Powerful Shiite Bloc Boycotts Iraqi Government
A bloc of Iraqi lawmakers and cabinet ministers allied with militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr launched a boycott of their government duties Wednesday to protest Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s decision to attend a summit in Jordan with President Bush.
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Bush on Maliki: “the right guy”
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:26
Via the NYT: Bush Proclaims Support for Iraqi Premier
President Bush today proclaimed Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki “the right guy for Iraq,” and said the two had agreed to speed the turnover of security responsibility from American to Iraqi forces.
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More Bad News from Iraq: Anbar is Lost
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:24
Via WaPo: Anbar Picture Grows Clearer, and Bleaker:
The U.S. military is no longer able to defeat a bloody insurgency in western Iraq or counter al-Qaeda’s rising popularity there, according to newly disclosed details from a classified Marine Corps intelligence report that set off debate in recent months about the military’s mission in Anbar province. The Marines recently filed an updated version of that assessment that stood by its conclusions and stated that, as of mid-November, the problems in troubled Anbar province have not improved, a senior U.S. intelligence official said yesterday. “The fundamental questions of lack of control, growth of the insurgency and criminality” remain the same, the official said.
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Hezbollah Helping Mahdi Army?
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 20:22
Via the NYT: Hezbollah Said to Help Shiite Army in Iraq:
A senior American intelligence official said Monday that the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah had been training members of the Mahdi Army, the Iraqi Shiite militia led by Moktada al-Sadr.
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Iran : Thy friendship oft has made my heart to ache
munaeem | 30 November, 2006 13:20
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lambasted President George W. Bush's Middle East strategy in an open letter addressed to the American people on Wednesday . He called on Washington to pull out of Iraq and recognize a Palestinian state, and end its support for Israel. (More)
