Yemen - Blackwater / Academi Mercenary Personnel Killed in Saudi Assault on Yemen's Shia Houthis

ꕤ Article SOURCE http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/12/10/441071/Yemen-Blacwater-UAE-Saudi-Arabia-Taizz-Hadi-Sudan PressTV 15 Blackwater mercs, including commander, killed in Yemen since Tuesday Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:24AM The chief of Blackwater mercenaries in Yemen has been killed in clashes with Houthi Ansarullah fighters and allied forces in the country’s southwest, reports say. Yemen’s Arabic-language al-Masirah news website reported that the commander-in-chief of the private security firm in the country, a Mexican national, was slain in the al-Omari district of Ta'izz Province early on Wednesday. According to the report, the recent fatality has brought to 15 the number of foreign forces with the Blackwater killed in clashes in Yemen since Tuesday. Some Australian, British, and French advisors and commanders -- plus half a dozen Colombian soldiers -- were among the dead. The mercenaries are part of the UAE forces that help Saudi Arabia in its war against the impoverished country. A US security services training company, Blackwater Worldwide, which is now known as Academi, is one the most notorious private security firms in the world and is responsible for killing of scores of civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Yemen. Yemen has been under military attacks by Saudi Arabia since March 26. The Saudi military strikes were launched with the aim of undermining Ansarullah and bringing fugitive former president of Yemen, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, back to power. More than 7,500 people have been killed and over 14,000 others injured since the Saudi aerial aggression began. The Saudi war has also taken a heavy toll on Yemen’s facilities and infrastructure. http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/12/10/441071/Yemen-Blacwater-UAE-Saudi-Arabia-Taizz-Hadi-Sudan In Summary Saudi Arabia attack on Yemen: -- aerial bombing - commenced: 26 March 2015 -- ground war also: see mercenaries, UAE -- over 7,500 dead -- 14,000 injured -- infrastructure destroyed Houthi Ansarullah (Yemen defenders) Houthi Ansarullah Ansar Allah Arabic for "Helpers/Supporters of God" = Houthis - Zaidi Shia group from Sa'dah of northern Yemen Followers of: Zayd ibn ʻAlī {great-grandson of: Husayn ibn ʻAlī} Zaydi Shi'a - est. 35-40% of Muslims in Yemen Zayd ibn Ali 695–740 great-grandson of Imam Ali -- born in Medina -- son of Imam ‘Alī ibn Husayn "Zayn al-Abidīn" -- one of wives of 4th Shia Imam -- was mother of Zayd ibn Ali -- respected & revered member of Ahl ul Bayt -- ie   Ahl ul Bayt - family of founder of religion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zayd_ibn_Ali * Follow-up required. Action: al-Omari district, Ta'izz province (Wed) -- defeat of mercenaries  of United Arab Emirates (UAE) -- Mexican-born Blackwater / Academi mercenary chief killed -- 14 others killed -- killed mercenaries incl: Australian, British, French advisers / commanders Saudi Arabia, UAE & mercenary aim: -- restore Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi as president -- Hadi fled ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- UPDATE:  130 US MERCENARIES DEAD - YEMEN COMMENT Exciting report.  Like reading about mercenaries. Houthis sound like tough opponents. Taking out mercenaries (esp. chief & commanders) seems like a big win for the Houthis -- but their infrastructure has been destroyed, thousands are injured and foreign aggressors have killed over 7,500. Houthis are paying a high price for any gains they're making. ꕤ

Saudi Arabia Crucifixion, Saudis Bombing Yemen & UN Human Rights Council - Saudi Appointment Hypocrisy

ꕤ #OpNimr human rights #FreeNimr @OpNimr ARTICLE  Death Sentence by Crucifixion http://www.theladbible.com/articles/a-teenager-has-been-sentenced-to-death-by-crucifixion … ARTICLE  UN HR Saudi Arabia Appointment Hypocrisy http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2015/09/20/saudi-arabia-wins-bid-to-behead-of-un-human-rights-council-panel/ … HELP http://pastebin.com/vdu6qWdG  ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Above is info re Saudi Arabian citizen (originally arrested in 2012 as teen), sentenced to death by crucifixion. The same Western-allied & installed despots that have pronounced this barbaric sentenced on Ali Mohammed al-Nimr are chairing the UN Human Rights Council panel ... and bombing Yemen with impunity: I'm no human rights campaigner & my interests are usually narrow and selfish, but I think that people ought to know what kind of regime is supported by the West in the Middle East -- and what a joke the United Nations organisation really is. ꕤ

Transcript - Assange - Transnational Security Elite, Carving Up the World Using Your Tax Money

ꕤ Video SOURCE Harry Fear TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijTEQxR07Iw&feature=youtu.be JULIAN ASSANGE OCT8 Antiwar Mass Assembly (2011) ꕤ  Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- TRANSCRIPT [for quotation purposes, confirm audio] Julian Assange - OCT8 Antiwar Mass Assembly (2011) Mass Assembly in London 10th anniversary of the Afghan war and the formation of the Stop the War Coalition Anas Altikriti Assembly chair Brothers & Sisters, Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen: Our next speaker is someone who changed the face of the landscape of news reporting, forever. Our next speaker struggled to get here today, because for 306 days he's been placed under house arrest, with no charge. Someone we all know. Someone we respect. Someone we admire for what he has done for the truth and for news around the world. Please welcome:  Julian Assange. [applause] Julian Assange Editor, WikiLeaks Thank you.  Thank you. Well, what a wonderful crowd. It's not a crowd that I often get to see. It's very heartening to see that so many people care about the values that I hold dear. And there's something I want to talk about. What can we do with our values?  What can we do at all, in relation to this war?  Because the reality is Margaret Thatcher had it right:  there is no society anymore. What there is, is a transnational security elite that is busy carving up the world, using your tax money. To combat that elite, we must not petition:  we must take it over. We must form our own networks of strength and mutual value, which can challenge those strengths and self-interested values of the warmongers in this country, and in others, that have formed, hand in hand, an alliance to take money from the United States -- from every NATO country, from Australia -- and:  launder it through Afghanistan; launder it through Iraq; launder it through Somalia; launder it through Yemen; launder it through Pakistan; and wash that money in peoples' blood. I don't need to tell you the depravity of war.  You are all too familiar with its images, with the refugees of war, with information that we have revealed showing the everyday squalor and barbarity of war. Information such as the individual deaths of over 130,000 people in Iraq. Individual deaths that were kept secret by the US military who denied that they ever counted the deaths of civilians. Instead, I want to tell you what I think is the way that wars come to be and that wars can be undone. In democracies, or the pseudo democracies that we are evolving into, wars are a result of lies. The Vietnam War and the push for US involvement was the result of the Gulf of Tonkin incident:  a lie. The Iraq War, famously, is a result of lies. Wars in Somalia are a result of lies. The Second World War and the German invasion of Poland was the result of carefully constructed lies. That is war by media. Let us ask ourselves of the complicit media -- which is the majority of the mainstream press -- what is the average death count attributed to each journalist? When we understand that wars come about as a result of lies peddled to the British public, and the American public, and the publics all over Europe and other countries, then who are the war criminals? It is not just leaders, it is not just soldiers:  it is journalists. Journalists are war criminals. And while one might think that that should lead us to a state of despair, that the reality that is constructed around us is constructed by liars, is constructed by people who are close to those that they are meant to be policing:  it should lead us also to an optimistic understanding, because if wars can be started by lies, peace can be started by truth. [applause] So that is our task and it is your task. Go and get the truth. Get into the ballpark and get the ball, and give it to us and we'll spread it all over the world. [applause] Anas Altikriti Assembly chair Julian Assange. [applause] --- end 6:52 --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijTEQxR07Iw&feature=youtu.be ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- McNamara admits:  It didn't happen Gulf of Tonkin Incident ꕤ Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. The black art of news management John Pilger, Investigative Journalist 3 June 2010 EXTRACTS ONLY How do wars begin? With a “master illusion”, according to Ralph McGehee, one of the CIA’s pioneers in “black propaganda”, known today as “news management”. In 1983, he described to me how the CIA had faked an “incident” that became the “conclusive proof of North Vietnam’s aggression”. This followed a claim, also fake, that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had attacked an American warship in the Gulf of Tonkin in August 1964. “The CIA,” he said, “loaded up a junk, a North Vietnamese junk, with communist weapons - the Agency maintains communist arsenals in the United States and around the world. They floated this junk off the coast of central Vietnam. Then they shot it up and made it look like a fire fight had taken place, and they brought in the American press. Based on this evidence, two Marine landing teams went into Danang and a week after that the American air force began regular bombing of North Vietnam.” An invasion that took three million lives was under way. FULL @ SOURCE http://johnpilger.com/articles/the-black-art-of-news-management 30-year Anniversary:  Tonkin Gulf Lie Launched Vietnam War By Jeff Cohen and Norman Solomon Thirty years ago, it all seemed very clear. “American Planes Hit North Vietnam After Second Attack on Our Destroyers; Move Taken to Halt New Aggression”, announced a Washington Post headline on Aug. 5, 1964. That same day, the front page of the New York Times reported: “President Johnson has ordered retaliatory action against gunboats and ‘certain supporting facilities in North Vietnam’ after renewed attacks against American destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin.” But there was no “second attack” by North Vietnam — no “renewed attacks against American destroyers.” By reporting official claims as absolute truths, American journalism opened the floodgates for the bloody Vietnam War. A pattern took hold: continuous government lies passed on by pliant mass media…leading to over 50,000 American deaths and millions of Vietnamese casualties. EXTRACT ONLY - FULL AT SOURCE [scroll down at source] https://archive.is/injay POLITICAL PERSECUTION JULIAN ASSANGE Australian Journalist FAQ & Support https://justice4assange.com/ [Figure valid: early January 2016] the WORLD'S Most WANTED Publisher 5 YEARS DETAINED NO CHARGE COLLATERAL MURDER WikiLeaks VIDEO  |  IRAQ (2010) | here LATEST BOOK Assange, Co-Author: The WikiLeaks Files (2015) | here *Collateral Murder link updated. ꕤ

Middle East - Brief Overview | Obama 7 Years, 7 Countries Bombed

Barack Obama: The Nobel Peace Prize Winner Who Bombed Seven Countries U.S. jets are bombing Syria again this month, part of an overall pattern of military expansion during the Obama administration that’s seen military involvement in dozens of conflicts. As the United States renews a bombing campaign against ISIS forces in Syria, it seems like America’s penchant for waging war knows no bounds. During the first seven years of Barack Obama’s presidency, the U.S. bombed seven countries while supporting other destabilizing military actions throughout the Middle East. Here’s a look at these seven countries and the effects of bombing: Afghanistan — Despite the announced “end” of the Afghanistan War, significant U.S. military presence in Afghanistan remains. Drones are a frequent presence in Afghan skies. One strike earlier this month killed 12 people, according to Iran’s PressTV. Iraq — The Obama administration has conducted over 5,000 airstrikes in Iraq and Syria in just the past year, David Lerman reported for Bloomberg Business. Despite ongoing U.S. military involvement ,terrorism continues to be a deadly presence in Iraq’s cities. Libya — While the European Union and its allies carried out many of the airstrikes during Libya’s civil war, the U.S. was instrumental in destabilizing that country through both military aid and direct support, especially during the lead up to Gen. Moammar Gadhafi’s overthrow in 2011. Now ISIS is also gaining a stronghold here and the country has been described as a failed state. Pakistan — Drone strikes are also frequent in Pakistan, where the Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimated that only 4 percent of the victims could be identified as al-Qaida members. Although drone strikes on Pakistan began under George W. Bush, their frequency has dramatically increased under Obama, RT reported last year.  Somalia — Over 100 U.S. troops have been stationed in Somalia since 2007, Reuters reported last year. In September, the U.S. again carried out airstrikes there, apparently killing Ahmed Abdi Godane, leader of the extremist group Al-Shabaab, which the U.S. claimed was allying with al-Qaida.  Syria — The U.S. renewed its bombing campaign against ISIS in Syria earlier this month, with U.S. war planes taking off from bases in Turkey. Airstrikes were also used in a failed attempt to defend “Division 30,” the failed American attempt to train so-called “moderate” Syrian rebels.  Yemen — U.S. cables revealed by WikiLeaks show that Yemeni officials have allowed airstrikes, which began under George W. Bush, to continue under the Obama administration. RT reported last year: “US bombing raids in Yemen are almost solely carried out by drones and they have been increasing in intensity in recent years. … A report by Human Rights Watch in 2013 analyzed six airstrikes in Yemen carried out since 2009. The organization found that out of the 82 people who died in the airstrikes, 57 were civilians. In all, the U.S. has bombed 14 predominantly Muslim countries since 1980. The death toll from all modern wars in the Middle East may be as high as 4 million dead Muslims and Arabs. Repeated military campaigns have destabilized the Middle East, giving rise to terror groups like ISIS, allowing for sectarianism to blossom, and necessitating further bombing, in what Ron Fullwood, writing for MyMPN, called a “perpetual protection racket.” 2015-08-19 Source http://www.mintpressnews.com/barack-obama-the-nobel-peace-prize-winner-whos-bombed-7-countries/208748/ VIA http://www.global-politics.eu/democraticus/2015/08/25/barack-obama-the-nobel-peace-prize-winner-who-bombed-seven-countries/ ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- COMMENT Thought this was a good quickie overview of military action in the Middle East. I've not read the linked articles.  Might have to skim some of the articles, as I'm not at all familiar with what's going on. Sounds like drone strikes kill more civilians than they do terrorist targets. A hundred troops in Somalia doesn't seem like much. Syria's down for a regime change.  The West, Israel, and the US don't like Assad for some reason.  He's probably Iran and Russia friendly. The US and the West have already demolished Libya (in much the same way they're probably planning to demolish Syria), and the result is more extremists - which is supposed to help destabilise and weaken Syria, I think. Pakistan is 'terrorist central' (well, that's my impression).  Pakistan receives an ENORMOUS amount of military and other aid from the US, and the aid must come with US strings attacked - drones is probably part of the package.  There's a massive amount of resistance in Afghanistan - something's getting blown up all the time.  Five thousand airstrikes in Iraq, in a year, is huge.

Stephen Lendman article: US/Saudi Recruited Al Qaeda Terrorists in Yemen

The US/Saudi Recruited Al Qaeda Terrorists in Yemen By Stephen Lendman Global Research, April 26, 2015 Region: Middle East & North Africa Obama’s genocidal war against 25 million Yemenis continues without mercy. US-sponsored cold-blooded murder claims scores of lives daily. Endless conflict persists – now involving US/Saudi recruited, funded, armed, trained and directed takfiri terrorists. Islamic State fighters posted a video online announcing their presence – threatening to “cut the throats” of Ansarullah Houthi rebels. It showed about two dozen heavily armed IS fighters preparing for combat. Their commander planted a black flag in the ground saying “soldiers of the caliphate (have arrived to) to cut the throats” of the Houthis. “We have come to Yemen, with men hungry for your blood to avenge the Sunnis and take back the land they have occupied,” he said. He urged Yemeni Sunnis to join in battle against Shia Houthis. The video was posted on Friday - after a so-called Green Brigade claimed responsibility for a central Yemen car bombing killing five Houthi fighters. Earlier attacks killed scores and injured hundreds in a series of suicide bombings at Shia mosques in Sanaa days before Saudi terror-bombing began. Senior Houthi official Abdel Monem al-Bashiri said “Saudi Arabia has sent about 5,000 terrorists to Yemen and deployed them in the Death Triangle covering an area between Aden, Sanaa and Hadramawt provincies.” “Saudi officers are there for coordination between terrorists and pro-Hadi forces.” Yemeni journalist Sari al-Karim said “(t)he presence of Saudi officers in Yemen takes place for Al Saud’s control over the terrorist operation in” Yemen. Clashes between Ansarullah fighters and imported terrorists continue. Nearly 3,000 Yemenis have been killed, many thousands more wounded – including hundreds of women and children. Sputnik News reports “many Russian doctors (and) medical specialists from other countries” continue treating sick and wounded Yemenis despite conflict conditions. An anonymous Russia embassy source said “(a) lot of medical workers have stayed (in Yemen) including Russians.” So far, no fatalities in their ranks were reported. Russia’s embassy reported Saudi-led phase two terror-bombing targets Houthi technology and manpower. “They used to bomb all the arms, food and fuel depots they had information on, as well as military camps, and now they are carrying out strikes only on ‘manpower’ and technology in areas of combat operations in the provinces of Aden, Lahij, Abyan, Taiz, Shabwah, Marib, Saada,” Russia’s embassy said. Terror-bombing so far failed to diminish Houthi strength. What effect IS terrorists will have remains to be seen. On Saturday, a UN statement announced Ould Cheikh Ahmed’s appointment as its special envoy for Yemen. He replaced Jamal Benomar. He resigned earlier this month. Houthi official Mohammed Bahiti said Ansarullah fighters “will carry out a military attack on Saudi Arabia if the airstrikes on Yemen don’t come to an end.” He called ousted/US-installed illegitimate president Abd Rabbuh mansur Hadi a “traitor.” “The Yemeni people will not honor Mansur Hadi and (won’t) allow him to return to power,” he added. He expressed Houthi readiness to participate in UN-brokered peace talks from “the point they were at before Saudi aggression.” Dozens of daily terror-bombings continue. Naval and air blockades remain in force. An entire population is being suffocated. Obama bears full responsibility. Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other regional allies share it. Protracted US-orchestrated terror war without mercy looks likely. http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-ussaudi-recruited-al-qaeda-terrorists-in-yemen/5445395 COMMENT Ansar Allah fighters = Houthi fighters Amazing the Houthis are still holding up. The medical practitioners and the Russians in that embassy deserve some kind of bravery medal.  No amount of money could get me to set foot in Yemen. This is really unbelievable.  Yemen is the poorest Arab country and it is being bombed by Saudi Arabia (which would be the richest), as well as by Saudi allies, while US warships blockade nearby waters to prevent arms getting through to the Houthis.  And they've sent in their ISIS terrorists. How is this even possible when it is an act of aggression to interfere with the domestic affairs of sovereign countries?

ISRAEL - IRAN: Benjamin Netanyahu Speech to US Congress 2015

Benjamin Netanyahu Speech to Congress 2015 [FULL] | Today on 3/3/15 | New York Times  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRf1cdw4IAY Blogger Rough Summary  [opening portion abridged]: Senate suck up to Netanyahu big time Lots of applause. Truman to Obama support airing. Appreciates Obama. Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Applause. Applause.  Staged? Senate waaaaay more receptive & supportive of Netanyahu than were the crowd at AIPAC. US Senators representing corporations, military manufacture, various lobby groups, probably clapping for war. Purim Haman Esther - right to defend against enemies / plot foiled / our ppl were saved Today, another attempt by Persian potentate to destroy Israel. Ayatollah Tweet - During Israeli 'Operation Protective Edge' in Gaza.  [  My warped idea of:  Persia vs Israel through the ages - Image source: tumblr  ] Mentions Hezbollah. 1979 Iran hijacked by zealots. New constitution. Ideological mission of jihad. Founder Khomeini extorted followers to export. [ Iran is the new #BlamePutin -  ie #BlameIran ] Every drama in Middle East is sponsored by: Iran, according to Netanyahu Global terror network, he claims Do not believe  'Iran's aggression' left unchecked / gobbling up the nations. Iran's march of conquest, subjugation & terror. Probably should have made that clearer: I, personally, find this unbelievable (rather than instruction not to believe). Congress applauds like crazy b/c Netanyahu is painting Iran as responsible for evil around the world. Dumb. Ideology of Iran 'regime' deeply rooted in Islam / always enemy to America / Iran & Isis competing for crown of militant Islam Both want to impose: first region & then entire world. Just can't agree between themselves who will take that crown. Mentions Islam medieval creed (?) or similar. Do not share [values] Intercontinental ballistic missiles & bombs scaremongering. To defeat ISIS but let Iran get nuclear weapons is to win battle but lose war. We can't let that happen. Congress applause. Iran still refuses to come clean about military & nuclear program. Iran caught TWICE operating secret nuke facilities. Uh-oh. Facilities, that inspectors didn't even know existed. Right now, Iran could be hiding nuke facilities we don't know about. As IAEA inspection authority said 2013: If no undeclared nuke facilities in Iran, it will be first time in 20 yrs it doesn't Iran has proven time and again, that it cannot be trusted. That is why the first major concession = source of major concern. Major concession: leaves Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure & relies on inspectors to prevent a break-out. Major concession: creates a danger that Iran could get to the bomb by violating the deal. Major concession creates a second, even greater, danger: that Iran could get to bomb by keeping the deal. Danger in concession: virtually all of Iran restrictions would automatically expire in about a decade. Decade may seem a long time in political life, but it is the blink of an eye in the life of a nation. We all have responsibility to consider what will happen when Iran's nuclear capabilities are virtually unrestricted. When Iran's nuclear capabilities are unrestricted, Iran would have capacity to build a huge nuclear capacity: many nuke bombs Iran supreme leader says Iran plans to have 190,000 centrifuges - 10x what Iran has today - enriching uranium. With this massive capacity, Iran could make the fuel for an entire nuclear arsenal in a matter of weeks, once it decides. John Kerry confirmed last week, Iran could legitimately possess massive centrifuge capacity when deal (restriction) expires. Foremost sponsor of global terrorism could be weeks away from having enough enriched uranium for an entire arsenal nukes .. Iran intercontinental ballistic missiles program is not part of the deal. Iran refuses to even put on negotiation table. Iran intercontinental ballistic missiles prog = Iran has means to deliver nuke arsenal to far reaching corners world, incl US Deal has 2 major concessions: 1)     Leaving Iran w vast nuclear prog 2)     Lifting restrictions on prog, in about a decade = BAD Deal does not block Iran path to nuclear bomb; it paves Iran path to bomb. So why would anyone make this deal? Deal: >b/c hope Iran will change for better in coming years? >or believe alternative to this deal is worse? NETANYAHU disagrees. Netanyahu does not believe Iran radical regime will change for better after this deal. Regime in power for 36 yrs Voracious appetite for aggression grows with each passing year Deal would only whet Iran appetite Would Iran be less aggressive when sanctions are removed & its economy is stronger? If Iran gobbling up 4 countries now, while under sanctions, how many more countries will Iran devour when sanctions lifted? VIDEO – NETANYAHU Speech to Congress -  [10:33]  Four countries ‘gobbled up’ reference: 1)     Lebanon 2)     Syria 3)     Iraq 4)     Yemen *Gaza *Golan Heights Iran aim: 2nd choke point oil supply. If sanctions lifted: Would Iran fund less terrorism when it has mountains of cash with which to fund more terrorism? Why should Iran's radical regime change for better, when can enjoy best of both worlds: >aggression abroad >prosperity at home Iran's neighbours know Iran will become even more aggressive / more terrorism when its economy is unshackled & path to bomb. Many of these neighbours say they will respond by racing to get nuclear weapons of their own. Deal will change ME for worse. Deal supposed to prevent nuclear proliferation, would instead spark a nuclear arms race in the most dangerous part of planet. Deal would not be a farewell to arms; it would be a farewell to arms control & ME would be criss-crossed by nuke tripwires. ME is a region where small skirmishes can trigger big wars. Deal would turn it into nuclear tinderbox. Deal with Iran deferring prob. down the road only creating sit'n where a much more dangerous Iran will have to be faced. A Middle East littered with nuclear bombs = potential nuclear nightmare. Solution: Insist that restrictions will not be lifted as long as Iran continues its aggression in region & the world. Before lifting restrictions, world should demand Iran do 3 things: 1. Stop aggression against neighbours in ME. ... 2. Stop supporting terrorism around the world. 3. Stop threatening to annihilate Israel, one & only Jewish state. If world powers won't insist Iran change behaviour before deal is signed, at least insist Iran change before deal *expires*. If Iran changes behaviour, restrictions would be lifted If Iran does not change behaviour, restrictions should not be lifted. If Iran wants to be treated like a normal country, let it act like a normal country. [cue: standing applause] Deal argument: >no alternative to deal >Iran nuclear knowhow cannot be erased >prog so advanced & best is delay inevitable NETANYAHU: Nuclear knowhow without nuclear INFRASTRUCTURE = no nuclear weapons can be made. Iran's nuclear prog can be rolled back well beyond current proposal: >insisting on better deal >keeping up pressure Keeping up pressure [would be effective b/c]: very vulnerable regime, esp. given recent collapse in price of oil. If Iran threatens to walk from table (this often happens in Persian bazaar), call their bluff. They'll be back b/c need deal. By maintaining pressure on Iran (& those who do business w Iran), you have the power to make them need [deal] even more. We've been told for over year that no deal is better than a bad deal. This is a bad deal. Very bad deal. Better off without. NOW we are being told only alternative to this bad deal is war. That's just not true. Alternative to deal: = much better deal. A better deal that does not leave Iran w a vast nuclear infrastructure in such a short break-out time. Better deal = keeping restrictions on Iran's nuclear program in place until Iran's aggression ends. Better deal = won't give Iran easy path to bomb. No country has a greater stake than Israel in a good deal that peacefully removes this threat. However difficult, second option would prevent nuclear-armed Iran, nuke armed ME & horrific consequences of both. Capping off, better deal option: = security of Israel = security of Middle East = peace of world, that we all desire "My friends, standing up to Iran is not easy. Standing up to dark & murderous regimes never is." NETANYAHU With us today is holocaust survivor & Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel [Seated w Sarah Netanyahu] [Applause] [ Elie Wiesel ] NETANYAHU: Elie, your life & work inspired us to give meaning to the words: never again. NETANYAHU: Wish could promise, Elie, that lessons of history been learned. Urge leaders of world not to repeat mistakes of past. Mistakes: >sacrifice future for the present >ignoring aggression in hopes of gaining illusory peace Netanyahu - days when Jewish ppl remain passive in face of genocidal enemies: those days are over. NETANYAHU: We are no longer scattered among the nations powerless to defend ourselves. We've restored our sovereignty & ancient home NETANYAHU: Soldiers who defend our home have boundless courage. NETANYAHU: For the first time in 100 generations, we, the Jewish ppl, can defend ourselves. [Applause somewhat less enthusiastic on the 'we can defend ourselves' section of Netanyahu speech (it seems to me)] NETANYAHU: As PM of Israel can promise you one more thing: even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand. [Enthusiastic Senate applause to: I know that America stands with Israel ... etc] NETANYAHU: You stand with Israel b/c you know that the story of Israel is not only story of the Jewish ppl but of the human spirit that refuses again & again to succumb to history's horrors. NETANYAHU: Facing me, overlooking this august chamber, is image of Moses. Moses led our ppl from slavery to gates of promised land. NETANYAHU: Before the ppl of Israel entered the land of Israel, Moses gave message that has steeled our resolve for 1,000s yrs NETANYAHU: I leave you with [Moses] message today: Be strong & resolute; neither fear no dread them. NETANYAHU: May Israel & America always stand together, strong & resolute ... may god bless state of Israel & may god bless USA. Lots of applause. NETANYAHU waving. Thanking. Prolonged applause. Walking chamber. Handshaking. Applause continues. Cuts out. NOTE: Netanyahu says Iran gobbling countries, incl. Iraq. BUT Iran is FIGHTING vs ISIS in Iraq Tikrit — Iraq Shiite & Iraq Sunni alliance, mission overseen by Iran military official - http://on.rt.com/q4wvx5   COMMENT The Ayatollah tweet referred to in the speech would be in relation to the then Israel bombing of Gaza (Operation Protective Edge 2014), concerning children that were killed by the Israeli military.  The reference to al Aqsa Mosque (third holiest mosque in Islam) would be in reference to whatever dispute had then been central between the Israelis and Muslims regarding the mosque. It appears the mosque is at the centre of a 'Judaise' dispute (and other disputes) that have arisen out of the reclamation of the ancient Jewish homeland, after the passage of over 2,000 years of occupation and heritage attaching to yet another Levant people (Palestinians), who were under the rule of various empires (including Ottomans and the British), so it is a very unusual set of problems that give rise to ongoing animosities in Israel, Palestine and the region beyond. Initially, I was sceptical.  But as the speech progressed, I was just about convinced of terrorism, the collapse of civilisation, medieval atrocities and a nuclear Armageddon coming our way.  Now I'm not that sure, although the medieval atrocities bogeyman is still scary. The ace up Netanyahu's sleeve would have to be the secret nuclear development facilities, as that just doesn't sound right.  So who can argue with that? What's interesting is that Pakistan (another Islamic state), which seems far more scary and chaotic than Iran, has nuclear arms.   Yet this development wasn't prevented by the Anglo-American side. Israel is lobbying for continued sanctions and restrictions on Iran because Israel ostensibly sees Iran as an existential threat.  However, from what I've read, the prospect of a nuclear armed Iran is also a threat to Israel's hegemony in the region, so this is worth bearing in mind. While there is much emphasis on common values, this is just persuasive window dressing.  Shared strategic interests play a far greater role in the Middle East than do extraneous cosmetic considerations, such as human rights issues.  We know that because Saudi Arabia isn't all that different to Iran in respect of human rights issues, yet Saudi Arabia isn't singled out as a threat to the world. On the other hand, while Saudi Arabia is said to be funding militants in the region and funding Islamisation beyond the region, the Saudis aren't seeking to develop a nuclear capacity.  Or are they? It would appear that Saudi Arabia is also gearing up to produce nuclear energy: Saudi Arabia plans to construct 16 nuclear power reactors over the next 20 years at a cost of more than $80 billion, with the first reactor on line in 2022. Nobody's complaining about Saudi Arabia's plans, so what's the issue with Iran? The secret development sites came to mind, but then it occurred to me that maybe Iran was forced to engage in secret development because of the sanctions imposed on Iran.  So Iran's secrecy may not be as suspicious as it seems. Between the nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors around the globe, you'd think that everybody would be looking at winding back to zero nuclear arms and zero nuclear energy rather than developing more of the same. Is Netanyahu's war-like speech just bluff to put pressure on the Iran negotiations?  Is it a performance to justify imposition of sanctions on Iran?  Or is it a declaration of Israeli and US intentions?