West sees opportunity to rein in Iran

Friday, July 21, 2006.
The West prepares to seize an opportunity to rein in Iran.

There are 4 articles on this issue. One by The Times Online, one by Michael Ledeen, The Washington Times and Kenneth R. Timmerman. There seems to be a recurring theme, Iran started this, Syria is involved, the other Arab countries are not happy about the terrorism (also hitting them), and this must be put to an end. In that, the USA has a unique opportunity to distance the world away from Iran.

Iran planned the Hezbollah attack that ignited the present war, a month ago.

Con Coughlin, The Telegraph reported that Hezbollah’s operation against Israel's northern border has been more than a month in the planning, and Teheran dispatched 20 Iranian Guard commanders to southern Lebanon in mid-June to oversee the preparations. A must read.

Iran wants a seat in any Hezbollah/Israel negotiations.

The Guardian reported that Sayeed Abu Talib, predicts failure to any deal without Iran.

Lebanese support for Hezbollah eroding fast.

The Spectator reported that many Lebanese are fed up with the state-within-a-state situation. Especially one that is so armed, they cannot control it nor can Hizbollah win.

Saudi Cleric issues fatwa against Hezbollah.

Eli Lake, The NY Sun reported that one of Saudi Arabia's leading Wahhabi sheiks, Abdullah bin Jabreen has issued a strongly worded religious edict, or fatwa, declaring it unlawful to support, join or pray for Hezbollah.

Iranian popular support for Ahmadinejad is a myth.

Mehdi Khalaji, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy reported that many people believe Ahmadinejad to popular in the world, but there is much evidence that this is not true. A must read.

Iranians want to know the truth, and the West provides "balanced reporting." Ain't this nothing. I'm as angry as you are, Doctor Zin.

The Washington Times reported that young Iranians are turning increasingly to the Internet to voice their dissatisfaction with a hard-line regime and argued that the United States could make better use of blogs, satellite television, radio and other means to communicate information that the regime withholds from its public.

Iran "officially" commits to a response to the Perm-5 Plus 1. (Hahaha, yeah right.)

ABC News reported that Iran has again rejected international demands it freeze its controversial nuclear program but would take until August 22 to reply. (Again? No! Really? You mean they finally woke up? D'oh.)

Yes, the Iranians were in North Korea for the missile tests.

Reuters reported that assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill, the chief US negotiator with Pyongyang confirmed reports that Iranians witnessed the July 4 tests saying "Yes, that is my understanding" and it is "absolutely correct." US officials fear cash-strapped Pyongyang are keen to sell Iran missiles and possibly nuclear material.

Germany refuses to release Ahmadinejad's letter to Merkel. Why?

Speigel Online reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has refused to release a copy of a letter from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying it contains "many claims that are not acceptable to us, in particular about Israel, the state of Israel's right to exist and the Holocaust."

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Senator Rick Santorum spoke to National Press Club and defined the unique challenges that confront the United States as we conduct a new world war. The full text of his speech. A must read.
• The National Review Online examined the accusation that Israel is using a “disproportionate use of force.” He asked Europe, if missiles were falling on Strasbourg, Nancy, Lille, Dijon, and Paris would Chirac’s concern be to respond only in “proportion”?
• The Los Angeles Times reported that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki accused the MEK, of meddling in his country's affairs and suggested that it could face expulsion from Iraq.
• Rooz Online reported on Akbar Ganji’s call for a world-wide 3-day hunger strike which has created a global network linked to Tehran and his message was an internal regime change.
• Reuters reported that a senior Iraqi-Kurdish official accused Iranian forces on Thursday of shelling Kurdish guerrillas in northern Iraq.
• 
  Cox & Forkum published a cartoon: Helter Shelter.

If you would like to read the entire list, please click on the day of the week atop this list of articles. Again, I would like to thank Doctor Zin for all of his hard work in bringing this news to our attention. If you are moved to do so, please help him with a donation of any size. Every little bit helps.

Also, please call your Congressperson and Senators toll free at 888-355-3588 to let them know just how think about the way we are ignoring the needs of the Iranian people. There are many people in prison just for speaking up about how they feel. They need you to be their voice. Thank you, and have a great day.

Category: The Daily Briefing on Iran.