Chris

Middle East Roundup

Friday, 21. April 2006, 09:57:08

Tremendously scary article From the New Republic about Ahmadinejad and his influences. (Registration or BugMeNot is necessary, the article title is Ahmadinejad's Demons.)
The history of the Basiji shows that we must expect monstrosities from the current Iranian regime. Already, what began in the early '80s with the clearing of minefields by human detonators has spread throughout the Middle East, as suicide bombing has become the terrorist tactic of choice. The motivational shows in the desert--with hired actors in the role of the hidden imam--have evolved into a showdown between a zealous Iranian president and the Western world. And the Basiji who once upon a time wandered the desert armed only with a walking stick is today working as a chemist in a uranium enrichment facility.
Dean Barnett has a good take-down of arguments which say the US military is incapable of attacking Iran and that Iran will act rationally.
Spook86 provides capabilities of Iran's soon-to-be-delivered Russian air defense systems. He says it is a major upgrade but can't stop a US attack, even if deployed at the nuke sites themselves. More details here.
The UN Security Council says something should be done about Iran, but disagrees on all options. Russia says wait.
Democrat Senator Joe Lieberman says he would support an attack on Iran if diplomacy fails. Give this guy a cabinet post.
Some believe that Iraq conducted a nuclear test in 1989. I am skeptical that a nuke could be tested and yield such a low reading on a seismograph.
Hamas appoints a known terrorist as head of security forces, which are also recruiting terrorists. Israel has been trying to kill him for years for launching missiles into Israel. Ramification? "The entire Palestinian Cabinet could be targeted for assassination after the Hamas-led government appointed a wanted militant as head of a new Palestinian security force, an Israeli politician and former intelligence chief said today."
Malaysia intends to send astronauts into space on Russian spacecraft. Thorny problems have developed, requiring a conference of scientists and religious authorities:
Performing ablutions for Muslim prayers with water rationing in space and preparing food according to Islamic standards will be among issues discussed, said Angkasa’s director-general, Mazlan Othman. ...

The astronaut will also visit the International Space Station, which circles the earth 16 times in 24 hours, so another thorny question is how to pray five times a day as required by Islam, she said.

And a disturbing story that has nothing to do with the Middle East. Grenade smuggled into prison in woman's um...nether regions. With marijuana. To convicted rapists. Wow.

Update: Fatah leader Abbas says the appointment by Hamas of a terrorist to lead the security department was illegal and will be cancelled. Israel gets results!