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The Empire Expands

By Hidari, Section Iraq-Iran-Syria
Posted on Sat Sep 13, 2008 at 05:58:18 AM EST

Pakistan was an important colony to the American Empire. Under the client king Musharraf the Americans could 'hold' (at least to a certain extent) the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan also borders, non-coincidentally, Iran.

So, given its strategic importance, it is unsurprising that the Americans fought the demands of the Pakistan people for democratic self-determination as long as possible.

Luckily the Pakistan people fought hard against the Empire and eventually managed to get what they wanted: democracy. That's the good news.

(740 words in story) Full Story

Reverse the Polarities

By Hidari, Section Iraq-Iran-Syria
Posted on Fri Sep 05, 2008 at 01:52:24 AM EST

As always, simply 'reverse the polarities' of this story to see its significance.

'The Bush administration has conducted an extensive spying operation on Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, his staff and others in his government, according to a new book by Washington Post editor and author Bob Woodward.

"We know everything he says," according to one of multiple sources Woodward cites about the practice in "The War Within: A Secret White House History 2006-2008."'

Now, just try to imagine how our 'free press' would have reacted if a foreign power:

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'US...thought to be making a decision within weeks to attack Iran '

By Hidari, Section Iraq-Iran-Syria
Posted on Sun Aug 31, 2008 at 11:08:50 AM EST

After all the problems with Georgia (or, to be more specific, Georgia's problems with South Ossetia) I bet you all thought the Iran situation had gone away, didn't you?

Hardly. On the contrary. With a newly emboldened Russia, and increasing signs of Iranian-Russian cooperation it hardly seems likely that the Americans are going to ease off Persia, especially since the Americans' embarassing humiliation in Georgia.

So...this story is interesting.

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The New Great Game.

By Hidari, Section News
Posted on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 04:55:45 AM EST

Good article here from the Guardian putting the current spat between Georgia and Russia in context.

'The clash between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia, which escalated dramatically yesterday, in truth has more in common with the Falklands war of 1982 than it does with a cold war crisis. When the Argentine junta was basking in public approval for its bloodless recovery of Las Malvinas, Henry Kissinger anticipated Britain's widely unexpected military response with the comment: "No great power retreats for ever." Maybe today Russia has stopped the long retreat to Moscow which started under Gorbachev.'

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'Israel considers military option'

By Hidari, Section Iraq-Iran-Syria
Posted on Thu Aug 07, 2008 at 05:40:06 AM EST

'Israel is building up its strike capabilities amid growing anxiety over Iran's nuclear ambitions and appears confident that a military attack would cripple Tehran's atomic program, even if it can't destroy it.

Such talk could be more threat than reality. However, Iran's refusal to accept Western conditions is worrying Israel as is the perception that Washington now prefers diplomacy over confrontation with Tehran.

The Jewish state has purchased 90 F-16I fighter planes that can carry enough fuel to reach Iran, and will receive 11 more by the end of next year. It has bought two new Dolphin submarines from Germany reportedly capable of firing nuclear-armed warheads in addition to the three it already has.'

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Ambiguous Language

By Hidari, Section Iraq-Iran-Syria
Posted on Wed Aug 06, 2008 at 08:26:07 AM EST

'The U.S. called for additional ``punitive' measures against Iran, citing the government's failure to give a satisfactory response to an incentive package aimed at ending its nuclear program.'

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Senate Tightens Sanctions in Iran

By Hidari, Section Iraq-Iran-Syria
Posted on Sat Jul 19, 2008 at 04:23:53 AM EST

'A new Iran sanctions bill cleared its key hurdle in the Senate Thursday, as Congress tries to tighten the financial screws on Teheran....

The Senate banking committee passed legislation sponsored by Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) which expands the scope of sanctions against those dealing with Iran to include financial institutions and insurers and those connected to facilitating the transport of Iranian energy products; penalizes foreign subsidiaries of US companies who conduct business with Iran; and makes it easier for pension and other funds to divest from companies benefiting the Iranian economy, among other measures.'

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Red Light turns to Amber.

By Hidari, Section Iraq-Iran-Syria
Posted on Sun Jul 13, 2008 at 04:38:54 AM EST

'U.S. President George W. Bush has given Israel an "amber light" to begin preparations for a military attack on Iran, a Pentagon official told The Sunday Times this week.

"Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you're ready," the official said.

The official told the Times that Bush informed the Israeli government he would back an Israeli plan to strike Iran's main nuclear sites with long-range aerial weapons if diplomatic talks over Tehran's contentious atomic program broke down.'

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