A MESSAGE TO THE RUSSIANS AND THE WEST.. DID WE HEAR IT?

There is always, a message imbedded in statements by Arab leadership and

this is especially true of the Saudi Royal Family.

When King Abdullah makes the comment, "we cannot abandon our religion and

moral position towards the situation in Syria", he is almost assuredly

referencing the status of the Sunni population.

I am confident this is exactly how this statement will be interpreted in

Iran and Syria.

I also love  the oh so typical Arab way of saying to 'Russia,  get on the

right side of this',  with the comment about coordinating with the Arab

League.

A polite slap in the face Mr Putin will not appreciate!!!!

Just one more uptick in the pressure cooker called the Middle East.

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=258940

IRAN'S THREAT OF PREEMPTIVE ACTIONS.. WHY?

I find it interesting the top Turkish newspaper ,online , the World

Bulletin, did not run the story of Iran threatening to take preemptive

measures.

Turkish impartial media???

It also appears the media didn't catch on to the fact Iran never identified

who the preemptive strike might be against.

If you just read the article as you were sipping your morning coffee, you

would most likely assume the threat was geared towards Israel.

If you did so, I would remind you in the past Iran typically spells out

their willingness to fight Israel if needed.... by name usually!!!

In addition, to have a prominent General make this preemptive statement

surly implies it was sanctioned all the way to the top.... I.O campaign.

I still stand by my theory Iran cannot afford to strike the first blow and

expect to have any chance of Arab support in a conflict.

Arabs destroying their countries for the sake of Persians is just not

likely.... they won't even do it for the Palestinians!!!

Again, Iran must be seen as the hero, liberator in the next battle, but they

seem to be focusing on trying to set when that battle takes place; thus the

statement about not waiting.

Hezbollah and Hamas must feel like they are more and more just the pawns in

a Persian game.... Lebanon has to feel the same way.

Can Iran get Israel to strike out at Hezbollah or Hamas?

Can Iran insure this conflict takes place at the right moment in time?

Can Iran avoid the next cycle of the "Arab Spring" this time a Persian

version??

Every day is a challenge for all sides... .

It is only going to take one mistake to get out of hand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17116588

http://www.worldbulletin.net/

HOW TO DE-GLORIFY A TERROR CELL?? WELL... MAYBE!!

This story is important and fascinating on several levels.

The skillcraft of being able to discredit a Terror organization is still fairly new in the US and has never been "professionalized" to the level it should be.

Fortunately, some of our Allies overseas have mastered this " sillcraft" and some even have a history of being very proficient  at destabilizing public support... Columbia and the FARC is a very good example.

Now, to give the US somewhat of an alibi, most nations that have become well versed in the art of de-glorifying movements have had the advantage of a controlled press / media environment. This is simply not the case in the US and thus handicaps the potential for being as effective as other Allies.

Thailand is one of the nations that has a long history of being able to change public opinion based on a well thought out Information Operation / I.O. campaign!!!

This event with the Iranian team is a classic example.

Exposing their interaction with prostitutes and alcohol is a very deliberate and most likely factual issue the Thi government fully intends to exploit.

The concept of publishing photos of such allegations is yet another example of, " a picture is worth a thousand words"!

The Thi officials know all too well the impact this I.O campaign can have on the crucial public supported needed for the Terror Groups overall, long term goals.

So, here comes the problem, at least from my perspective.

This " cell" had and has much more in common with typical Special Forces Operations at a military level than with any fundamentalist movement.

The concept of "discrediting" can be highly effective against standard fundamentalist movements, but that is not what this team was.

The Thi government has applied the wrong tool to the problem at hand.

This team was, like the others that are out there.. and that is the real story... is a tactical operation designed to have strategic impact on the Nation State of Israel.

The Iranian Hezbollah, Qod, fingerprints are all over the event and Israel knows it.

As important as this event was, the real message is not lost on Israel or the US.

Iran has stepped up the game and you can bank on the fact other teams are in place and ready to execute missions upon orders.

So, sorry Thi government.... the idea of Special Forces guys hanging out with Hookers and alcohol.....well..... that's almost a requirement to become an SF member!!!!

That's not to say the Qod Force Commander will not be happy with the news, but the mission is far more important that a few small teams.

PS.. the folks they are looking for fits perfectly into the model of a Hezbollah / Qod / cell.

Lets see what Israel does to prevent the next attack!!

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/02/17/thai-police-2-more-suspects-in-terror-case/

KHADER ADNAN'S HUNGER STRIKE AND WHAT IT MEANS.

In a typical year for the Middle East, this event would probably  not rise to the level of international attention, but these are far from " normal" times in the Middle East.

Now, this is not the first time Israeli authorities have encountered hunger strike tactics, never the less, they understand how easily this particular event could get out of hand.

What is important to remember about this event is who is willing to allow it to escalate and who may feel the timing is all wrong for any event to overtake current events.

Islamic Jihad groups that are outside the control of the Muslim Brotherhood appear to see the status of Adnan as a potential flashpoint ripe for exploitation.

The Iranians assess the Islamic Jihad's focus on this issue as an opportunity for distraction from the Syrian crisis.

That doesn't mean Iran and Islamic Jihad in Palestine are sharing ideas, although , " the enemy of my enemy is my friend" , concept is never far from day to day reality in the Middle East.

So, to keep it simple.... Iran see this Adnan's hunger strike as a potential opportunity as does Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

The Muslim Brotherhood has a master plan underway and this hunger strike issue threatens to get out of control and thus threatens to disrupt the MB's " Master Plan".

Israel must be careful and not over react, yet they cannot afford to have anything happen to Adnan; unless of course the Israelis have figured out a way to manipulate the event to their advantage.

So you see... a simple hunger strike... like thousands in the past.. is no longer a " simple" event!! 

Just one more issue that needs to be watched carefully.

When the entire area is doused in fuel and sparks are flying everywhere.. it's impossible to  believe there will be no fire!!

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/02/201221842847443790.html

THIS IS  A REPOST OF THE LAST STORY I POSTED.


When I posted this story the other day, I did not cut and paste the whole article. 
This is the complete post.

A few things about these recent attacks need to be addressed.

1.  It's not just the opinion of the US as to the likelihood of these
attacks being coordinated that is important.

I would argue that in a time of heightened paranoia on the part of
Iran and Israel, the real concern here should be what Israel believes.

Some will speculate Israel is looking for an excuse to take action
against Iran or Hezbollah and some would argue that Iran may wish this as
well.

Two nations looking for a fight can blunder into an event with
little logic.

2.  The classic, " A picture is worth a thousand words", applies to the
video released by the government of Thailand today.

Those two young Iranian men where not just local knuckle heads!!

The physical conditioning, the way they wore the extremely heavy
backpacks and the confidence in their walk does not resemble a mentally ill
individual, who would "Lone Wolf"  an attack.. oh ya... two guys
does not constitute a " Lone Wolf"!!


Is it possible Iran is attempting to push Israel into an altercation?

Let me answer that by making a statement.

Iran cannot save Syria by initiating an attack on Israel.

Iran cannot save its reliance on Hamas by initiating an attack on Israel.

Iran cannot save its reliance on Lebanon and Hezbollah by initiating an
attack on Israel.

Iran has no chance of gaining any support in the region or the world for
that matter, if it goes on the offensive; regardless of sanctions or their
impact on Iran!

For Iran to utilize Hezbollah operatives to attack Israeli key leaders;
remember who died four years ago, might be the only way they can insure an
Israeli response that would show Iran as the victim.

Hezbollah operations in Lebanon being pounded  by the IDF ,allows Iran to
react from the side of " savior" not as aggressor.

Is Syria and Hamas and Hezbollah worth this risk to Iran?

How could it not be?

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/201221555522250455.html

SO WHAT IS IRAN UP TO

THE POST ARE HARD TO DO FROM 30 000 ft!!! On an iphone

A few things about these recent attacks need to be addressed.

1.  It's not just the opinion of the US as to the likelihood of these
attacks being coordinated that is important.

   I would argue that in a time of heightened paranoia on the part of
Iran and Israel, the real concern here should be what Israel believes.

   Some will speculate Israel is looking for an excuse to take action
against Iran or Hezbollah and some would argue that Iran may wish this as
well.

   Two nations looking for a fight can blunder into an event with
little logic.

2.  The classic, " A picture is worth a thousand words", applies to the
video released by the government of Thailand today.

   Those two young Iranian men where not just local knuckle heads!!

   The physical conditioning, the way they wore the extremely heavy
backpacks and the confidence in their walk does not resemble a mentally ill
individual, who    would "Lone Wolf"  an attack.. oh ya... two guys
does not constitute a " Lone Wolf"!!


Is it possible Iran is attempting to push Israel into an altercation?

Let me answer that by making a statement.

Iran cannot save Syria by initiating an attack on Israel.

Iran cannot save its reliance on Hamas by initiating an attack on Israel.

Iran cannot save its reliance on Lebanon and Hezbollah by initiating an
attack on Israel.

)

A SPLIT IN HAMAS??

For several months now, some have argued the possibility of a split in Hamas over the reconciliation with Fatah was a just a show, but all indications are now pointing to a real issue inside the Hamas camp.

 Side Note:   Once again, Qatar is right in the middle of the interaction as

it continues to increase its status in the Middle East.

Khaled Meshal and Haniyeh  would not let the public know they were meeting to discuss the disagreement in the Hamas camp if they didn't want to.

These men are specialist at not letting the public know where they are and what they are talking about.

For this meeting to be out in the open, is a good indicator just how much Hamas leadership is troubled by this split.

Meshal and Abbas have hitched their horse to the Muslim Brotherhood leadership in Egypt.

Mahmoud Al-Zahar and his faction of Hamas are still holding on to the Iranian supported operation.

One of the real issues here is purely a extension of Arab organized crime in nature.

Mahmoud Al- Zahar's group has a good thing going in Gaza and the money that is made on smuggling has allowed he and his supporters to live the good life!

If this "Reconciliation" deal goes through, the " new" leaders in Gaza will take away the honey hole!!!

Yep.. it's not always about religion or political ideology... most often it's based on good old fashion corruption and greed..

Two traits that are looked at as true skill crafts in the Middle East.

If the "buyout" for Al-Zahar is good, then Iran will lose its last foothold in Gaza.

Take a guess at what the Iranian counter offer might be?

What I find fascinating, is the Israeli reaction to the whole issue of "

Reconciliation".

A Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood movement.. after the demise of the hated and labeled Hamas / Fatah movements, is something Israel is really worried about.

http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=85794