The Political Bridge

Israeli Naval Commandos Seized a Ship Carrying Iranian-Supplied Arms

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israeli naval commandos seized a ship carrying hundreds of tons of Iranian-supplied arms, including rockets that can hit Israeli cities, to Lebanon's Hezbollah group, Israeli officials said on Wednesday.

The shipment, he said, was enough to keep Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which fired some 4,000 rockets into Israel during a 34-day war in 2006, supplied for a month of fighting.

Watch the Former U.S. Ambassador to Uzebekistan Discuss the U.S. and U.K Governments Involvement with Uzbek Torture Efforts to Create False Intelligence

Breaking News from the Jerusalem Post: 'Israel will Attack Iran after December'

Jerusalem, October 15, 2009

Israel is planning to carry out military attacks in Iran after December, a French magazine reported Thursday

According to a report in Le canard enchainé quoted by Israel Radio, Jerusalem has already ordered from a French food manufacturer high-quality combat rations for soldiers serving in elite units and also asked reservists of these units staying abroad to return to Israel.

The magazine reports further that in a recent visit to France, IDF Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told his French counterpart Jean-Louis Georgelin that Israel may send elite troops to conduct activities on the ground there.

(Information first reported at http://www.legitgov.org/#breaking_news)

NY Times: VP Biden is Saying No to Additional American Troops in Afghanistan

NY Times, October 13, 2009

Mr. Biden does not favor abandoning Afghanistan, but his approach would reject the additional troops sought by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal and leave the American force in Afghanistan roughly the same, 68,000 troops. Rather than emphasize protecting the Afghan population, he would accelerate training of Afghans to take over the fight while hunting Al Qaeda in Pakistan using drones and special forces. His view has caught on with many liberals in his party.

A You Tube Presentation: Eight Years in Afghanistan, the 'Graveyard of Empires'

A Reuters Analysis: The Iran-6 Talks and Agreements Failed To Address a Few Core Issues

Iran gave no ground on the core issues of nuclear restraint and transparency in its protracted standoff with world powers, concerns they will pursue in another round of talks this month.

Tehran insisted on its right to a sovereign nuclear energy programme despite U.N. resolutions ordering it to suspend enrichment in exchange for trade benefits. It has even rejected a temporary freeze on expansion of enrichment capacity.

No progress was reported on IAEA demands that Iran allow unfettered access for its UN inspectors to check intelligence reports suggesting  suggesting Tehran has researched ways to arm missiles with nuclear payloads.

Read More: Reuters Analysis

 

Is Iran Ready to Engage in Real Talks?

From the Influential regemonitor.com. (You may not be able to access this link without a password, DrTed)

 

Agreements from first talks between Iran and the "Iran Six" over the country's nuclear program in a year have reduced fears of a military confrontation. Tensions had risen, and fears of an oil price spike,  as the U.S. and several European leaders sought to increase sanctions following reports that  Iran has roughly enough low-enriched uranium to make a single atom bomb and that it had a previously undisclosed nuclear facility. However, the details and implementation of these agreements remain uncertain. Further sanctions could follow any non-compliance

European Union: 'President' Blair waits on voters of Ireland, reports London Times OnLine

Tony Blair is in line to be proclaimed Europe’s first president within weeks if the Irish vote “yes” in today’s referendum.

Senior British sources have told The Times that President Sarkozy has decided that Mr Blair is the best candidate and that Angela Merkel has softened her opposition.

The former Prime Minister could be ushered into the European Union’s top post at a summit on October 29.

Ms Merkel, the German Chancellor, was opposed to Mr Blair because she believed that the post should go to a country that had adopted the euro but British sources said that she may now be “biddable” if Germany and France get plum posts in the new European Commission.

Read more: The Times

Obama May Turn to GOP for More Money for the Afghan War: Democrats Oppose Larger Effort

From the Washington Post, September 30, 2009

With much of his party largely opposed to expanding military operations in Afghanistan, President Obama could be forced into the awkward political position of turning to congressional Republicans for support if he follows the recommendations of the commanding U.S. general there.

Congressional Democrats have begun promoting a compromise package of additional resources for Afghanistan that would emphasize training for Afghan security forces but deny Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal the additional combat troops he has indicated he needs to regain the initiative against the Taliban insurgency.  

Read More: Afrghan War

McConnell, Lugar discuss engagement with Myanmar, reports The Courier-Journal Political Blog

A Senate subcommittee today is holding a hearing on American policy toward Myanmar, also known as Burma, whose repressive military junta has suppressed opposition, jailed its leaders and created a major refugee problem in southeast Asia.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week singled a shift in policy by the Obama administration, saying the United States would try to engage in a diplomatic dialogue with the regime. In the meantime, longtime sanctions against Myanmar would continue, she said.

Talks between U.S. and Burmese officials are scheduled in New York next week.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has been one of the most vocal congressional critics of Burma’s rulers and has authored annual legislation continuing sanctions against the junta. Yesterday, McConnell released a statement on the Obama administration’s efforts to engage Burma.

"Early in the Obama administration I encouraged Secretary of State Clinton to make Burma a priority, review our policies toward and relations with Burma, and to see how the U.S. could better achieve its objectives toward the regime,” McConnell said. “Having reached the end of that review Secretary Clinton has decided to engage the regime in Burma in pursuit of the fundamental goal of a unified, peaceful, prosperous and democratic Burma that respects the human rights of its citizens.”

Read more: The Courier-Journal