Posted on 04/18/2006 11:08:24 PM PDT by DoctorZIn
Top News Story
Russia and China offer Iran to join their alliance.
- AsiaTimes reported that Iran will become full member of China and Russia's "Shanghai Cooperation Organization." The SCO's enlargement move would frustrate the entire US strategy in the region. The SCO is a security organization which will provide Iran with access to technology, increased investment and trade.
Iran confirms it is developing P-2 centrifuges.
- The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran now claims it was conducting research and tests on the more sophisticated P-2 nuclear-enrichment centrifuge which could significantly speed the process of making fuel for bombs.
Bush team wants to blanket Iran with glad tidings from America.
- Newsweek reported that Bush administration officials are looking for a solution to America's new foreign-policy crisis with Iran by supporting people like "the Larry King of Iran."
Shah's Son warns Iran wants a confrontation.
- CBS News reported that Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Shah of Iran says "This regime is not trying to avoid confrontation; on the contrary, it needs confrontation in order to survive."
Iran behind suicide bombing in Israel.
- 620ktar.com reported that Islamic Jihad, backed by Iran and Syria, claimed responsibility for Monday's suicide attack in Tel Aviv. Islamic Jihad is led by Ramadan Shallah considers the 1979 Iranian Revolution to be the beginning of a new era for the Muslim world.
- The Times reported that it is no coincidence that this suicide bombing comes after renewed calls by Iran’s President for the destruction of Israel and after Iran offered to step in to fund the Hamas Government.
Dissident Ganji ordered back to prison.
- Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that Iran's judiciary has summoned dissident leader Akbar Ganji back to Evin Prison, but so far Mr. Ganji has refused to obey the requests.
Iran's other dissidents.
- Iran Press News reported that Iranian Dissidents are saying: "No! We do not want nuclear energy."
- Iran Press News reported that prison officials have threatened political prisoner, Valiollah-Fayz Mahdavi with execution should he communicate reports about the prison conditions.
Iran's reformist movement is angry and worried.
- Rooz Online reported that members of the reformist Association of clergies, met with the Supreme Leader and called on him to take responsibility for the nuclear policies, which according to them sway from day to day.
- Rooz Online reported that Ahmadinejad has stepped into a new phase in its policy of suppressing independent news agencies and journalists.
- Rooz Online reported that while meeting with the Supreme Leader told teachers of Qom that the most important call of the day was to support president Ahmadinejad and the government, and that he expected the same from.
- Rooz Online reported that missing from Ahmadinejad's propaganda campaign about enriching uranium to levels useful for nuclear power generation, was Ali Larijani the highest official responsible for the nuclear issue.
More signs of economic distress in Iran.
- Iran Press News reported that Iran's brick making factories are closing rapidly with only 5 of 150 left due to stagnancy in construction in big cities such as Tehran leaving more that ten thousand unemployed.
- Iran Press News reported that for the second time in a week protesting workers from 4 textile factories blocked the transit road between the cities of Kashan and Bandar Abbass.
Here are a few other news items you may have missed.
- The Washington Times examined the question: "Is Iran Preparing for War?"
- Xinhua reported that former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said he was certain Gulf Arab states will not support any U.S. strike on Iran.
- The Washington Post reported that the Iranian government has intensified efforts to illegally obtain weapons technology from the United States.
- Iran Press News reported that Iran plans to guarantee a loan to Cuba for the development of exporting technical services.
- The Washington Post reported that Iran intends to replace some 60 ambassadors this year.
- Nazanin, MySpace, born in Tehran, is a former Miss Canada, singer and songwriter and has produced a song: Someday (The Revolution Song). Listen here.
- Cox & Forkum published another of their great cartoons: Crasher.
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Thanks for the map. It speaks volumes.
Game on good doctor!
Sounds like a bunch of smoke. What I see is a world at war with Persia.
You should see more. While I whole-heartedly reject the notion that Americans are less aware of the outside world by much than are citizens of other nations (Chinese and South Koreans know much less of American than they think, for example), I shout from the mountaintops that they are not aware of exactly what is going on in Asia. These are profound geopolitical changes that are taking place, and taking place rapidly. It is mind-boggling to me that not only are we on the verge of seeing a flip in the distribution of geopolitical influence, coming to fruition in a matter of years, but there is _zero_ discussion about this. There's little even on a place like Free Republic, much less anywhere else in mainstream discussion. And our leaders (all of them, regardless of affiliation) are doing little more than fiddling, repeating their respective mantras on the 'war on terror' and Iraq. Meanwhile Asia is moving in leaps and bounds away from us, decades of careful foreign policy just tattering into the wind, as though we barely even notice it. Asia does not care about the war on terror beyond narrow security concerns, nor does most of Asia really care about Iraq other than its usefulness in bogging us down, distracting us and giving them something with which to blacken our eye. Asia cares about regional security, about business and trade, about business and trade, about business and trade and about business and trade. When America comes for the fourth or fifth time to regional organizations ostensibly revolving around trade and speaks 90% about terror, member states don't have to dig deep to see where their bread is increasingly being buttered, and in many cases already being buttered in the majority. China has put on a charm offensive for nearly a half decade now. We send our secretary of state around for a few days. We come to trade meetings talking of terror. China comes and fills the leadership void, offering contracts and agreements and aid at those same trade meetings. How long do you think it's going to be before eyes turn only briefly toward the U.S.? Answer: Well, apparently less than five years.
If people don't think we have not just shot ourselves in the foot but blown both of our shins off in Asia - well, I can't blame you, no one's really been showing you the scope of what's been taking place.
...related, and a link-back from there to here.
Russia says no to sanctions against Iran
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1617503/posts
But China and Russia won't physically get in the way. Action in Iran is a "go."
Writing on the wall for Iran [Even the UAE and China agree.]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1616282/posts
So Michael Moore got his stuff from the Russians !
One big problem with Russians conspiracy theory - Iran is the aggressor right now. They have publicly threatened the US and Israel with attacks. Iran is also covertly attacking Iraq.
double dittos.
OK, very true, but what are we to do if they persist in manufacturing enriched uranium?
I wish Reza had a clue and some advice.
Just waiting for the Iranian resistance to prevail doesn't seem like a safe option. I'm sure as soon as the opposition leaders are identified they're imprisoned and killed. Dissent is not tolerated as these totalitarians are full of ruthless zeal.
Yes, and we also show up asking to borrow yet more money.
...And the contestants for WW3 /4,( depends on your definition )just keep choosing sides.
But... Iran are relgious Shia and the Chinese are communist maoists.
There is simply no way that they would even think of working together. It just wouldn't happen.
Just like Saddam and the terrorists/Osama.
Kinda like Stalinist Russia and FDR's America, huh?
Funny how differences disappear when important global goals are shared.
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