"Exactly who or what is "Debka"?"
Check them out:
http://www.debka.com/ They are an Israeli "intel/news" site. They frequently report information no in the main media -- some of it never gets confirmed or proven false, some of it is proven true, and is picked up by the newsmedia literally month later, sometimes.
Some people have a genetic hatred of Debka and wouldn't believe them, if they announced that the Sun will rise tomorrow, and every time an article is posted from Debka, they feel an urge to proclaim how unreliable Debka is.
I personally have seen it mentioned on another message board a few years ago -- I had nothing for or against them. I have been following them reasonably closely and found them to be quite accurate with many things.
Since some of their info is based on "clandastine sources", sometimes they engage in speculation, because intel by it's nature is not 100%.
They are pretty interesting to read.
I would suggest you keep an open mind and look in on them occasionally and make up your own mind.
Here is the link to their "about us" page, which will also give you a bit more info:
http://www.debka.com/doc/about.php "58% of our viewers are aged from 25 to 46, including many members of the free professions, government officials, financial leaders, military and intelligence personnel, academics, students and incorrigible skeptics.
Our articles are regularly quoted and credited by a host of international television, radio and print media. Frequent requests for specialist interviews are received by our editorial staff and experts.
DEBKAfile has been cited as Best of the Web by Forbes, selected Hot Site by USATODAY and profiled in the New York Observer (A Web Site With the Inside Dope on the Middle East), Time Magazine, Le Monde, Paris Corriere della Sera, Milan, Wired News (Debka: Conflict’s Drudge Report?), NEW MEDIA ( For the real skinny on the Afghan story), Haaretz Magazine and Globes Digital. Articles are in preparation in Harpers and Rolling Stone.
A brief roundup of their comments is appended to this page."
Thanks for the background info on Debka. Since people here have very strong feelings (pro or con) regarding the validity of reports attributed to Debka, I've been curious about this source. I'll follow your suggestion and check it out.