Another Intel Leak from the White House- This Time Creating Chaos in Middle East

Chaos and confusion in the Middle East is not really that unusual. However, chaos and confusion in the Middle East that is being caused by, or at minimum exacerbated by, the US, is something that gets my attention- especially when that chaos could lead to a new shooting war.  

First, I will start with what is known for sure. On Wednesday, October 30, 2013, an air defense base in the Syrian port of Latakia, was attacked from the air.  Reports say that Russian SA-125 Neva/Pechora and SA-8 Gecko/Dgreen mobile missiles/launchers were at the base and that those missiles, and other related equipment were being transferred to Hezbollah. 

From this point on, the chaos and confusion starts.  There is something  weird with this tale and the nations involved.  There are parts of this whole mess that seem out of pattern or out of character at best- at worst there is another story here or "something else going on" altogether.

After the Port of Latakia gets hit, Syria basically does nothing.  In fact, they seem to downplay the entire attack. The Dam Press, loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad says, "Yes, Latakia was hit- but no one was hurt.” That has been the response so far from Syria.  To give some background, Israel has bombed, or is believed to have bombed, locations in Syria in January 2013 and May 2013.  After this bombing, Syria just shrugs off the attack.  That might be a little weird, but maybe Assad has a bit too much on his plate right now, with is country being in a civil war, the world accusing him of using chemical weapons on his people, the UN wanting destruction of the chemical weapons. A non-response type response may be the best thing for him to do.  I can buy into Syria doing nothing for now.

After the attack the confusion and likely disinformation begins. There are reports on Lebanese TV saying, Turkey was behind the attack. “Ankara acted in response to a downed Turkish jet [and death of pilots] from last year."  Perhaps this might be plausible- but the Lebanese TV source? An unnamed Israeli official- and the report could not be independently confirmed.  Why would Beirut run an unconfirmed report from anonymous Israeli Officials that points to Turkey?

Now the fun REALLY begins. An unnamed White House source says, Yes, Israel did it!  The United States, long known to be Israel’s strongest ally, throws Israel under the bus in front of the entire world- supposedly because the White House did not want the world to have the impression that the US knew about or sanctioned the attack.  

Yet, at the same time we are sticking it to our friends from the White House, US Secretary of Defense Hagel announces in an address to the Anti-Defamation League in New York, that the US will be providing Israel with six V-22 Osprey's- and the order will be EXPEDITED. The next six Osprey’s to hit the assembly line will go to Israel- moving ahead of an existing US Marine Corp order—The Marines will get their Osprey’s later.

So now we have the US leaking potentially damaging information about Israel one minute and announcing expedited sales of military aircraft the next. Yes, I know that there is, perhaps, a certain level of animosity between "Our Great Leader, HRH Barack Hussein Obama (Peace be upon him)" and Israel. I also know that SecDef is not known to be a supporter of Israel- but a leak to damage relations in the Middle East at the same time as an announcement of expedited military aircraft??? This is getting "ODD" here.

The next “out of character” response/reaction comes from the Israeli press reporting Israel is furious with the US leak- again from unnamed sources. Why is that odd? Because Israel does not usually acknowledge that the type of action they are accused of ever happened! At worst they deny everything. Other times when they have been accused by the world of covert action- like in the case of the assassination/mysterious death of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai- Israel just says nothing—no leaks, no hints—nothing. The fact that even "unnamed officials" are saying "we are furious at the US leak" is significant by itself!

Just when you thought this all may be over, another country is denying everything.  Turkey is denying “reports claiming [they] gave Israel 'critical intelligence' prior to [Israel's] alleged strike” in Latakia.  What is really interesting, is they are denying they gave Israel ‘critical intelligence’—at stressing how great a relationship they have with IRAN. 

At this point, it looks like the only country not making accusations or denials is Syria—and they are the country that was  attacked.

Something odd is going on in the Middle East and the White House has pushed the US right into the middle of it, while shoving our closest ally in the region away from us. The Big Picture is not clear.  I am certain there is more data and information that is not public yet and that this crisis is not over.   Events this complex, controversial, dangerous and chaotic don't just happen on accident. Something is happening and I am sure the next part of it will be "interesting"- whatever it turns out to be.

Another Intel Leak from the White House- This Time Creating Chaos in Middle East

BIN LADEN DEAD!!!!!



Unfortunately, this may help Obama, but, Bin Laden is DEAD.... Multiple Sources Confirm!!!!

ABC News reporting that this with a bullet to the head-- basically a good old fashoined assasination.   God Bless the US Special Forces!.



BIN LADEN DEAD!!!!!

Wet Work in Dubai- Double-Double Cross? Post 9-11 Black-Ops

Since the hit on Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, there has been enormous speculation as to the who.

We know- or we are told by Dubai- that there were eleven with a variety of fake passports from European countries. We know that several of those names match dual citizens from Israel- people with both European passports and Israeli passports. We also know that the pictures on the passports do not match the faces that Dubai is saying belong to the hit-team.

The hit team knew, without question, that they would be on camera. Dubai is known to have money and the most modern hotels and resorts - maybe the most modern on the planet. Dubai is also known as the "playground" of the middle-east, the equivalent of Las Vegas for Americans. What happens in Dubai stays in Dubai- well, maybe not this time.

There are those that are saying this is a Mossad screw-up. The team pictures are everywhere.

There are also those that are saying that there is no-way this could be a Mossad job- the team was too obvious.

But…

Maybe that was the entire point… Conducting a "black-op" in a highly technological society means dealing with that technology. You know camera's are going to be everywhere. They are everywhere in London. They are everywhere in Las Vegas, and as we have seen, they are apparently everywhere in Dubai. So, the question becomes, how do you beat the cameras?

The answer is, you don't- at least not directly. You play to the cameras. That is what this team did. They know where the cameras are and they know they can't avoid them. They know that information is being grabbed at the airport from the passports used. So they use disguises, and try to hide in plain site as much as possible. But, most importantly, they make sure that their faces do not match their names. They have become completely anonymous in that everyone in the world knows that the identity they used was blatantly false. There is no guarantee that the pictures used on the passport were of the actual hit team. The pictures may be of people that look enough like them, that it will pass a "human eye"- but in this age of technology, the if the picture is not of the actual person, it will never hold up the scrutiny of eventual computerized facial recognition or matching. Who knows- maybe the pictures that we are being shown are of people who are actually dead.

The key is plausible deniability. Those named certainly have it. The "that’s not me" has be broadcast around the world, and countries like Great Britain are running in circles screaming for everyone to hear that the passports were fake. We know the names that are listed were NOT the actual hit squad.

So, now we come back around to Mossad. There is an argument that the team was too obvious to be Mossad. Mossad analyst are saying it is too much like the 1997 job. In other words, Mossad would never do something this obvious. Plausible deniability.

There are also statements that Israel would never use passports of Israeli's-- again that would be TOO obvious. But, if we think about it backwords, maybe that is the point. The people who hold the passports have been cleared for all practical purposes.

Right now it is SO OBVIOUS that this job was Mossad that it CAN'T BE Mossad.

Or…

Right now it is SO OBVIOUS that is job was NOT Mossad, that it MUST BE Mossad.

Anyone have a coin to flip? Or should I be asking for a Shekel?

Either way, if I were a terrorist, I certainly would not want to be crossing Mossad.

Wet Work in Dubai- Double-Double Cross? Post 9-11 Black-Ops

Israel Re-Distributing Gas Masks

The Israeli Defense Forces Home Front Command will begin re-distribution of Gas Masks to Israeli citizens.The Jerusalem Post is reporting that areas are closest to threats will receive their masks first. This is "amid growing tension with Syria."

Apparently there was a two year project where gas masks were taken and refurbished.

Israel Re-Distributing Gas Masks

Moves to Stop Iranian Arms Smuggling to Hamas

US Navy Combined Task Force 151 has been ordered to stop ships that are smuggling arms to Hamas, according to reports in the London Times, Haaretz and yNet. Additionally, a French Frigate has been ordered to the area to stop arms smuggling. French President Sarkozy ordered the French Foreign Minister to work with the US and Europe to find methods to stop the arms smuggling to Hamas.

Israeli military intelligence has been circulating documents that suggest that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard has a large program in place to re-arm Hamas after the recent fighting with Israel in Gaza.

Last week, the crew from the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) boarded a Cypriot flagged ship owned by Iran, and it is believed that weapons were found. These weapons were heading from Iran to Hamas. This event occurred on January 19-20. Some reports suggest that this was originally a covert op that was initiated because of the "memorandum of understanding" between the US and Israel that was signed on January 16.

There is some discussion as to the legal basis for the boarding and any future boarding in international waters as the ship was flying the flag of a nation.

The concern of course is what happens next? If the US Navy moves to stop Iranian shipping of weapons--which I believe it should-- and an Iranian ship decides it is not going to "heave to" then what? What are the rules of engagement in this situation? Does the Navy fire a shot across the bow? Does the Navy disable a rudder with a shot or small torpedo? How does Iran respond, if the US fires on an Iranian ship that refuses to stop? How do we react, should an Iranian vessel fire upon us, or members of a boarding party are killed? Are we looking at the opening moves of the next war? Or will Iran back down like the Soviets did with Cuba in 1962?

Iran is determined to re-arm Hamas, just as they are determined to acquire nukes. All of this is for one purpose-- to annihilate Israel. The US should of course stop Iran. Hamas is a terrorist organization and is responsible for the deaths of Israeli's as well as Americans and people of other countries. They, like the Taliban, are not a legitimate government. They are terrorists.

The US used to believe in stopping terrorist threats. I hope we still do.

Moves to Stop Iranian Arms Smuggling to Hamas

Iran Running Out of Yellow Cake

Iran is apparently running out of yellow cake uranium, which is used to process nuclear weapons. The British are lobbying major uranium producing nations, asking them not to sell uranium to Iran. The idea is that if Iran runs out of uranium, it could help contain their nuclear ambitions.

However, according to reports, Mossad believes that Iran will produce its first nuclear weapon this year or next. Israeli military intelligence agrees with this assessment.

Iran of course claims their nuclear program is peaceful and they would never even think of the idea of harming Israel. Maybe they are thinking they need a nuclear program because of the concern of all the green-house gas that all their oil and natural gas would produce if they used that to produce electricity.

Maybe Iran was listening to the Inaugural address. After all, President Barak Hussien Obama said, "know that your people will judge you on what you can build."

Well Mr. President, it looks like Iran can build a nuke or two, and now something needs to be done before it is too late.

Iran must be stopped. If we do not stop them, Israel will. Regardless, there must never be an Iranian bomb.

Iran Running Out of Yellow Cake

Israel Declares Cease-Fire, Hamas Attacks

According to ynet News, two people were injured today (Sunday) when terrorist fired fifteen rockets and three mortars into Israel. The attacks were in Ashdod and Sedrot. In addition to the people that were injured, there was property damage from the attacks including damage to a kibbutz with a chicken farm (apparently there are 160,000 chickens so I am calling that a farm). Reports are that a couple hundred chickens were killed.

The Israeli Defense Forces fired back and took out the launchers of the rockets.

No country should constantly have to put up with this type of activity. If rockets were being fired from Juarez into El Paso every day, or across the border into Douglas, Arizona, I am quite sure the US Military would have responded with all the rage this nation can muster.

Of course, there are those out there that seem to think that Israel should have to just "put-up with it" or "deal with it." Why? Why should Israel not be entitled to protect their citizens, visitors and those within their borders?

Israel Declares Cease-Fire, Hamas Attacks

More Military Moves By Iran

Iran has decided to perform a bit of a "show of force" starting today (Monday in Iran). They have announced they are going to be running joint military exercises, maneuvers and performing "domestic" weapons testing. The location of the maneuvers was not announced.

Iran also stated their navy has developed new submarine technology to prevent their subs from being picked up on "radar" (personally I thought sonar was the bigger concern).

Iran stated that their air forces and revolutionary guard will be involved in the maneuvers. From PressTV.ir (Iranian Media)-

The Islamic Republic Air Force will test Iran's domestic-made warfare in a joint military exercise with the IRGC, the Defense Ministry says.

The joint aerial maneuver will be held on Monday and is aimed at boosting Iran's defensive capabilities and operational tactics, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said.

The military exercise, which involves The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), comes in the wake of escalating US and Israeli threats to strike the country's nuclear facilities...

...Tehran has warned that Israel and 32 US bases in the region will be targeted should the country come under attack. (Emphasis Added)

This is right along with my earlier statement--1+1=3. Something is not adding up in Iran.

More Military Moves By Iran

Russia: I Love the 70's (or 80's)

Russia has made some interesting moves lately, making me wonder personally if they are trying to resurrect some of the "good ole' days" of the Soviet Union.

Several months ago, Russian bombers decided to "play games" with US Forces, including "playing chicken" with the USS Nimitz- something that was a bit unusual at the time.

Last week, Russia decided to send Tu-160 strategic bombers into Venezuela. Then they ran exercises with those bombers, and Russian naval assets in the Caribbean. (Is it just me or does the Tu-160 look almost exactly like a B-1B, down to the four engines and sweepable wings? -- I wonder if they "borrowed" the plans. Pictures Below.)

Russia has struck a deal with Syria to renovate and re-equip a Syrian port for use by the Russian Navy. The port is in Tartus, Syria. From the DEBKAfile:

Russian naval contingent, led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, left Murmansk on the Barents Sea Aug. 18 to dock at the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus Saturday, Aug. 23. It includes the Russian Navy’s biggest missile cruiser Moskva and at least four nuclear missile submarines.

Israel is expressing "concern" about Russian sales of arms to Iran.

Replace the word Russia, with "Soviet Union" and this reads like something from the 1970's or 80's.

Russia: I Love the 70's (or 80's)

US Selling Bunker Busters to Israel

The Department of Defense announced that the US will be selling "Bunker Buster" bombs to the Israeli Air Force. The Pentagon will be selling Israel 1000 of the "Guided Bomb Unit-39" (GBU-39) for a total of $77 million. The weapons are GPS guided. According to the report, the bombs can penetrate over 1.8 meters of concrete with an accuracy of 5-8 meters.

The bombs each way about 250 pounds and can be carried by smaller aircraft, such as the F-16 or F-15. The light weight of the bombs allows for longer range missions. The bomb is built by Boeing, who refers to it as a "Small Diameter Bomb" (SDB).

The US will also be upgrading Israel's "Patriot" systems and provide additional LAW rockets. Now the DOD just needs to include some F-22 Raptors to complete the package!

Even though the US is providing precision guided bunker busting bombs, I am sure Israel was likely told to only use them for "practice." 

The video below is a demo of the GBU-39.

US Selling Bunker Busters to Israel

UAV Missile Strike in Pakistan

An unmanned US Drone fired multiple missiles at a village in northwestern Pakistan near the town of Miran Shah. According to reports, the house of an Al Badr Mujahideen commander Shahdam was targeted in the attack. This area is a stronghold and called safe haven for Al-Qaida and the Taliban. Some reports are saying at least 10 were kill, others are saying as many as a dozen were killed, and still others are saying eight. News reporting of the attack started at about 12:30 AM CDT or what would be about 10:30 AM in Pakistan.

According to Agence France, the attack was before dawn.

This attack is part of a recent upsurge of attacks across the Pakistani border. President Bush is said to have recently authorized the attacks. It has been suggested that Bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahri may be hiding in the area of northwestern Pakistan. This area is an al Qaeda stronghold and is largely ungoverned or ruled by tribal war-lords. This area, up until the alleged new orders from President Bush, would have been "out of bounds" for US military forces because it is in Pakistan.

The strike used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), probably a Predator and probably firing Hellfire missiles. This would indicate that there was a specific target, the target was watched for some time (the UAV's are not fast, generally) and then taken out with intent-- this was not a cruise missile that went astray.

So-- THEORETICALLY (but also logically) -- the "target" was followed to the house by the UAV or was identified entering the house- possibly before nightfall. Operators of the UAV ID'd the target. The ID was sent up the chain of command to National Command Authority (NCA). Authorization was probably not immediate-- There was probably some discussion of collateral damage. Iran is reporting women and children were killed. This is also being reported in India. Once NCA was 100% sure of who they had AND that it was a target worth a several million dollar Hellfire Missile AND that the target was important enough that collateral damage would not matter, they likely gave the order to take out the target before dawn-- before the target would wake up and leave the house.


This is all just conjecture but it is logical. The US would NOT risk strike on a house that MAY have children in it for "Ackmed the Terrorist." The US WOULD however risk the collateral damage and take out a house, rather than wait for the guy to leave and try to hit him on the move, for someone very important.

Now we just have to see who was killed.

UAV Missile Strike in Pakistan

Congress: Sell Israel the F-22

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) plan on making anther bid (I didn't know they made previous bids) to purchase the Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptor next month. Apparently, they were denied previously due to a congressional restriction on selling the F-22 overseas.

There are several reasons why we SHOULD sell the F-22 to Israel.

First- We need the jobs in the US. Increasing the production of the F-22 would increase jobs in the US- plain and simple.

Second- I am sure the Israeli's will do a great job "testing" the F-22 in "adverse conditions"- just like they tested the F-16 back in June of 1981.

Third- Stealth will make it much easier to take out Iranian Nuke facilities… But I am sure that this has never crossed anyone else's mind.

Fourth- We need the jobs!!! (ok, I may have mentioned that one already)

Call or write Congress. Ask them to support lifting the restriction on the sale of the F-22. Tell them to let Israel buy the F-22 and create US jobs.

Congress: Sell Israel the F-22

Kuwait Analyst: Best if Israel Takes Out Iranian Nukes

It is called Realpolitik. It is defined as "politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives." In other words, "we may disagree, but there are practical matters to consider."

I have heard stories of Saudi or Kuwaiti intelligence services being trained by Mossad, some Arab countries privately expressing thanks and relief when Israel took out Iraq's reactors in 1981 and other incongruities in the complex relations of the Mideast. This appears to be another one.

A Kuwaiti Analyst and former government adviser said in an interview with Al-Siyassah that having Israel take out any Iranian nukes would not be a bad thing and that it would be much better for the region for Israel to take action than for the US to do it.

"Honestly speaking, they would be achieving something of great strategic value for the [Gulf Cooperation Council] by stopping Iran's tendency for hegemony over the area," he said, adding that "nipping it in the bud by Israeli hands would be less embarrassing for us than if the Americans did it"

GCC countries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.

There is no way that this comment was just made arbitrarily. This has got to be a back-door signal to the Israeli Government. I don't think that "freedom of the Press" rates as high in the Mideast as it does here.

So, sometime in the future, Israel may send F-15 I's to Iran. The mission will be secret until the moment it is carried out. There will be no leaks. The Israeli Air Force will be completely successful. Iran will protest. The UN will meet in emergency session. The Security Council will vote to condemn Israel- but stop at a condemnation. The US and Great Britain might abstain if they don’t veto.

But, quietly, the leaders of the world, and the leaders of Arab countries in the Middle East will call Israel, and say "Great job! Thanks…." And the world will breath a sigh of relief.

Maybe President Ronald Reagan's immediate reaction to the 1981 Israeli attack on Iraq said it all. When he was told of the attack, his said, "Well, Boys will be Boys!"

Kuwait Analyst: Best if Israel Takes Out Iranian Nukes

Oil Prices Down Before Elections?

The International Affairs Director of the Iranian National Oil Company today said "In view of the US presidential elections and considering the fact that the US is the world's biggest oil consumer, we expect oil prices to drop late summer."

So the question becomes just who exactly are they trying to influence?

Oil Prices Down Before Elections?

When Asked If You are a Civilian Jet Say YES!

A crew from a Lufthansa jet is in a bit of hot water this morning in Israel. Apparently they failed to identify themselves when they entered the airspace of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. This was probably not the smartest thing that an aircrew can do.

The Israeli Air Force "showed they cared" by sending up a pair of fighters to provide the Lufthansa bird with a "warm welcome" to Israeli Airspace. Y'Net states that the crew will be "questioned" at the airport.

No word on whether the flight crew needed to change their shorts after being "approached" by IDF fighters.

When Asked If You are a Civilian Jet Say YES!

Hamas Claims Responsibility

Those of the "Religion of Peace" known as Hamas have now claimed responsibility of the vile and brutal attack on the school in Jerusalem yesterday. Most of those killed were just kids.
From Haaretz:

"The Hamas movement announces its full responsibility for the Jerusalem
operation. The movement will release the details at a later stage," the official said.

At this point President Bush should walk into the Rose Garden, grab the nearest microphone and state very plainly, that since Hamas has now claimed responsibility for this, the US will FULLY SUPPORT any action that Israel would like to take, and that Iran better just shut up or they are next.

READERS: Go to WhiteHouse.gov, Senate.gov and House.gov. Call or Email the President, The Vice President and your Congressmen. Tell them to FULLY SUPPORT ANY action that Israel will take. As your Congressmen to call for a Joint Resolution that supports ANY AND ALL action that Israel takes against Hamas.

Remember, this Hamas scumbag targetted children and walked through this House of God CONFIRMING HIS KILLS. Remember, these were mostly children.

Read first hand reaction/aftermath from Israelly Cool.

Hamas Claims Responsibility

Skewed Reporting in Jerusalem Massacre

It seems that some of the Jerusalem Massacre has been skewed, making the event seem less horrific than it was and placing a slant on how the Massacre was stopped.

Some of the reporting has called the school a "college" or a "seminary." While these descriptions may be "technically" accurate, they present the image of an educational institution that is full of "older" students- at least in their early twenties. Little of the US reporting that I have seen has discussed how old the victims really were. Two were 15 years old. Two were 16, two were 18, one was 19 and one was 26. (Source here and here). I was actually was surprised that CNN seemed to get the ages right.

These were CHILDREN. These were CHILDREN IN SCHOOL that were gunned down by Terrorist who follow the "Religion of Peace."

Additionally, reporting has stated that the "gunman" was killed by an off-duty army officer. Only Fox reported that a STUDENT shot back. From Fox News:

One of the students, Yitzhak Dadon, said he shot the attacker twice in the head. "I laid on the roof of the study hall, cocked my gun and waited for him. He came out of the library spraying automatic fire," he said.

Could it be that some of the media does NOT want Americans to get the idea that Concealed Carry on College Campus may be a GOOD idea? It has actually been proposed in the Arizona Senate. It sure seems to have worked in Jerusalem.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that news has been skewed as it relates to Terrorists and Israel.

Skewed Reporting in Jerusalem Massacre

Arab League to Israel: Ssshhh! Don't Tell!

This is perhaps the most insane piece of diplomatic news I have heard in a while. "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" has reached the Mid-East-- But not in regard to sexual orientation-- in regard to Israeli Nuclear Weapons.

The Arab League released a statement today from its meeting in Cairo. The statement said that if Israel ever officially announces that it has nuclear weapons, members of the Arab league will withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and ask the UN to have Israel destroy its Nukes.

Why is this insane? Because everyone KNOWS that Israel has nukes-- Including the members of the Arab League. They are not saying, if we DISCOVER that Israel has nukes, or if we have OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE that Israel has nukes, or if we SUSPECT that Israel has nukes, we will take action. The Arab League stated that if Israel ADMITS it has nukes they will take action…

In other words, Yes, we all KNOW that you have Nuclear Weapons, just PLEASE, keep it quiet and don't ever tell us and we will all just get along. We won't ask, and you won't tell!

Israel of course responded with "Nukes? What Nukes?"

Arab League to Israel: Ssshhh! Don't Tell!