Russia, China and the US have all called for calm after North Korea test-fired a series of missiles.Seven Scud-type ballistic missiles with a range of about 500km (312 miles) were fired in an apparent act of defiance against the US, on 4 July. Russia and China urged Pyongyang to return to talks, while a US official urged it not to aggravate tensions. North Korea is banned from all ballistic missile-related activities under UN sanctions. The sanctions were strengthened after the communist nation carried out a second underground nuclear test in May. North Korea has launched a number of missiles since the test. On Thursday it test-fired four short-range missiles.
Russia, China and the US have all called for calm after North Korea test-fired a series of missiles.
Seven Scud-type ballistic missiles with a range of about 500km (312 miles) were fired in an apparent act of defiance against the US, on 4 July.
Russia and China urged Pyongyang to return to talks, while a US official urged it not to aggravate tensions.
North Korea is banned from all ballistic missile-related activities under UN sanctions.
The sanctions were strengthened after the communist nation carried out a second underground nuclear test in May.
North Korea has launched a number of missiles since the test. On Thursday it test-fired four short-range missiles.
The United States warned North Korea not to "aggravate tensions" today after South Korea said its neighbour had fired seven ballistic missiles in violation of UN resolutions.The tests, seen as a message of defiance to the US on Independence Day, will further increase pressure in the region as America tries to gather support for tough enforcement of the UN resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test.US state department spokesman Karl Duckworth did not confirm the launches but described North Korea's behaviour as "not helpful"."We are aware of possible missile launches by North Korea and are closely monitoring North Korea's activities and intentions," he said. "North Korea should refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearisation talks. This type of North Korean behaviour is not helpful."
The United States warned North Korea not to "aggravate tensions" today after South Korea said its neighbour had fired seven ballistic missiles in violation of UN resolutions.
The tests, seen as a message of defiance to the US on Independence Day, will further increase pressure in the region as America tries to gather support for tough enforcement of the UN resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test.
US state department spokesman Karl Duckworth did not confirm the launches but described North Korea's behaviour as "not helpful".
"We are aware of possible missile launches by North Korea and are closely monitoring North Korea's activities and intentions," he said. "North Korea should refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearisation talks. This type of North Korean behaviour is not helpful."
Sarah Palin's resignation as Governor of Alaska is a brilliant liberating move for her career, and a potential turning point for the national conservative movement. The biggest problem with her responsibility as Governor of Alaska is that the state is so far away from the rest of America. No one hears of the good work she has been doing there, and the left is free to paint their own false caricature of her. And because of the long distance and her family, as well as governing, responsibilities, she canÃfÆ'Ã,¢Ãf¢ââ,¬Å¡Ã,¬Ãf¢ââ,¬Å¾Ã,¢t get down to the lower-48 enough to build her national political presence. I am hoping she spends two weeks of every month now touring the states doing fundraisers for a the sweeping Republican revival in 2010 that is now developing. I hope she establishes a new national grassroots organization to fight for conservative causes. And I hope she starts a new national think tank in Washington.
Sarah Palin's resignation as Governor of Alaska is a brilliant liberating move for her career, and a potential turning point for the national conservative movement.
The biggest problem with her responsibility as Governor of Alaska is that the state is so far away from the rest of America. No one hears of the good work she has been doing there, and the left is free to paint their own false caricature of her. And because of the long distance and her family, as well as governing, responsibilities, she canÃfÆ'Ã,¢Ãf¢ââ,¬Å¡Ã,¬Ãf¢ââ,¬Å¾Ã,¢t get down to the lower-48 enough to build her national political presence.
I am hoping she spends two weeks of every month now touring the states doing fundraisers for a the sweeping Republican revival in 2010 that is now developing. I hope she establishes a new national grassroots organization to fight for conservative causes. And I hope she starts a new national think tank in Washington.
So now we know what it's all about.
Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate who electrified her party's campaign last year, has resigned as Alaska's governor in a decision that has fuelled speculation she is positioning herself to run for president.After a sometimes rambling speech in which she compared herself to American soldiers wounded in battle in Kosovo, and said only dead fish go with the flow, Palin's critics accused her of a "flaky" decision and walking away from her post.Palin, who built strong support among conservative Republicans as John McCain's running mate last year, said she will step down in three weeks because she can contribute more away from politics."We know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities," she said.
Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate who electrified her party's campaign last year, has resigned as Alaska's governor in a decision that has fuelled speculation she is positioning herself to run for president.
After a sometimes rambling speech in which she compared herself to American soldiers wounded in battle in Kosovo, and said only dead fish go with the flow, Palin's critics accused her of a "flaky" decision and walking away from her post.
Palin, who built strong support among conservative Republicans as John McCain's running mate last year, said she will step down in three weeks because she can contribute more away from politics.
"We know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time on another scale and actually make a difference for our priorities," she said.
Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska who gained her spot on the Republican presidential ticket last year by projecting herself as a maverick and a political outsider, stepped beyond the circle of power last night announcing that she will quit her position by the end of this month. Dropping the kind of bombshell that she would relish more than anyone else on the American political landscape, Ms Palin stood before the cameras on the lawn of her home in Wasilla, Alaska, to say that she had had enough as chief executive of the enormous, energy-rich state despite having another 18 months left to run in office.It left the political classes in Washington scratching their heads on the eve of the Fourth of July holiday as to her motivation in taking such a dramatic and flaky step. First to come to many of their minds: that she is already manoeuvring for a run at the White House in 2012.
Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska who gained her spot on the Republican presidential ticket last year by projecting herself as a maverick and a political outsider, stepped beyond the circle of power last night announcing that she will quit her position by the end of this month.
Dropping the kind of bombshell that she would relish more than anyone else on the American political landscape, Ms Palin stood before the cameras on the lawn of her home in Wasilla, Alaska, to say that she had had enough as chief executive of the enormous, energy-rich state despite having another 18 months left to run in office.
It left the political classes in Washington scratching their heads on the eve of the Fourth of July holiday as to her motivation in taking such a dramatic and flaky step. First to come to many of their minds: that she is already manoeuvring for a run at the White House in 2012.
Does this mean that she will actually quit her position, or just that she says she will. With anybody else, the two statements would be equivalent, but with her there's still time for her to change her mind...
July 4 (Bloomberg) -- Myanmar's military junta blocked Ban Ki-moon from meeting with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as the United Nations chief seeks to free political prisoners in the country. The regime announced the decision after a second meeting between the UN head and Myanmar leader Than Shwe in the capital of Naypyidaw, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Ban. Ban is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation, pressing the government to free 2,100 political prisoners, resume national reconciliation and ensure credible elections next year. Suu Kyi, who has spent 13 years in detention since her party won the last elections in 1990, faces prison for allegedly violating a house arrest order. Pro-democracy campaigners say the potential five-year jailing is designed to prevent the 64- year-old Nobel Peace Price winner from contesting polls promised by the ruling generals in 2010. Suu Kyi was transferred to prison last month to face trial, with prosecutors alleging she allowed an American intruder to stay for two days after he swam to her lakeside home in Yangon.
July 4 (Bloomberg) -- Myanmar's military junta blocked Ban Ki-moon from meeting with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as the United Nations chief seeks to free political prisoners in the country.
The regime announced the decision after a second meeting between the UN head and Myanmar leader Than Shwe in the capital of Naypyidaw, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Ban.
Ban is on a two-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation, pressing the government to free 2,100 political prisoners, resume national reconciliation and ensure credible elections next year.
Suu Kyi, who has spent 13 years in detention since her party won the last elections in 1990, faces prison for allegedly violating a house arrest order. Pro-democracy campaigners say the potential five-year jailing is designed to prevent the 64- year-old Nobel Peace Price winner from contesting polls promised by the ruling generals in 2010.
Suu Kyi was transferred to prison last month to face trial, with prosecutors alleging she allowed an American intruder to stay for two days after he swam to her lakeside home in Yangon.
According to reports from Burma, Ban met with Than Shwe again on Saturday, only to have his request for a chance to speak with Suu Kyi shot down a second time."I pressed as hard as I could," Ban told reporters after the meeting. "I had hoped that he would agree to my request, but it is regrettable that he did not," he said, adding that he was "deeply disappointed" with the situation.Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), told The Irrawaddy on Saturday that the regime's refusal to allow a meeting between Ban and Suu Kyi sent the signal that Than Shwe has no interest in genuine political reform or national reconciliation.
"I pressed as hard as I could," Ban told reporters after the meeting. "I had hoped that he would agree to my request, but it is regrettable that he did not," he said, adding that he was "deeply disappointed" with the situation.
Nyan Win, a spokesman for Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), told The Irrawaddy on Saturday that the regime's refusal to allow a meeting between Ban and Suu Kyi sent the signal that Than Shwe has no interest in genuine political reform or national reconciliation.
A senior Obama administration official has told the BBC that Russia has agreed to let US troops bound for the war in Afghanistan fly through its airspace.The deal, which opens up an important new corridor for the US military, is to be officially announced when President Barack Obama visits Moscow next week. Speaking separately, a Kremlin official confirmed a deal was on the table but suggested it referred to weapons only. The reported agreement marks a major development in US-Russian relations.
A senior Obama administration official has told the BBC that Russia has agreed to let US troops bound for the war in Afghanistan fly through its airspace.
The deal, which opens up an important new corridor for the US military, is to be officially announced when President Barack Obama visits Moscow next week.
Speaking separately, a Kremlin official confirmed a deal was on the table but suggested it referred to weapons only.
The reported agreement marks a major development in US-Russian relations.
by Harlan Ullman London (UPI) Jul 1, 2009 Late last month Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pointedly restated Great Britain's longstanding designation as Tehran's public enemy No. 1, surpassing the Great Satan America and Zionist Israel. In this verbal assault, the clerics credited "Perfidious Albion" with manipulating and even controlling the actions of the United States in confronting Iran and containing its ambitions. Wow! Rather than dismiss or mock these allegations, Whitehall should capitalize on this huge exaggeration of Britain's influence. The almost certain strategic defense review to be conducted next year following national elections is the perfect vehicle to use this misperception more broadly to enable Britain to fight well above its "weight class" measured by its military capabilities and resources devoted to national security and foreign policy. <...>...Britain faces two basic choices regarding the role it can or will play internationally. First, Britain can continue as a "first team or first division" player in the U.N. Permanent Five, NATO and other international organizations along with the United States. Or, as argued in the 19th century, Britain could become a "little England," reducing its international commitments and responsibilities and turning inward, possibly dismantling its nuclear deterrent as obsolete and too expensive. Assuming the first view prevails, Britain must not be overly constrained by its relatively modest and probably declining military power. Thus, it will have to box well above its weight class. That means dealing with perplexing "what if's" from an Argentine government bent on reoccupying the Falklands to a resurgent Russia or aggressive China.
Rather than dismiss or mock these allegations, Whitehall should capitalize on this huge exaggeration of Britain's influence. The almost certain strategic defense review to be conducted next year following national elections is the perfect vehicle to use this misperception more broadly to enable Britain to fight well above its "weight class" measured by its military capabilities and resources devoted to national security and foreign policy.
<...>
...Britain faces two basic choices regarding the role it can or will play internationally. First, Britain can continue as a "first team or first division" player in the U.N. Permanent Five, NATO and other international organizations along with the United States. Or, as argued in the 19th century, Britain could become a "little England," reducing its international commitments and responsibilities and turning inward, possibly dismantling its nuclear deterrent as obsolete and too expensive.
Assuming the first view prevails, Britain must not be overly constrained by its relatively modest and probably declining military power. Thus, it will have to box well above its weight class. That means dealing with perplexing "what if's" from an Argentine government bent on reoccupying the Falklands to a resurgent Russia or aggressive China.
(Harlan Ullman is a distinguished senior fellow at the National Defense University and a senior adviser at the Atlantic Council.)
Harlan K. Ullman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The doctrine of Shock and Awe was developed by Ullman and James. P. Wade and was a product of the National Defense University of the United States.
A British embassy employee is to stand trial in Tehran for "acting against national security" -- a dramatic escalation in Iran's campaign to blame Britain for protests against disputed election results.The man, a 44-year-old Iranian who is the British embassy's chief political analyst, was arrested on Saturday and has been formally charged at Tehran's Evin Prison, his lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, said. "Apparently he will be put on trial. We have prepared and submitted the defence documents and I have to see the judge next week."It was is not clear whether any other embassy staff will face prosecution. A senior cleric claimed that some had "confessed" to playing a role in the protest movement. The staging of political trials is likely to lead to a breach in relations not only with Britain, but also with the European Union. Iranian ambassadors were summoned to foreign ministries in capitals across Europe in a coordinated rebuke .
A British embassy employee is to stand trial in Tehran for "acting against national security" -- a dramatic escalation in Iran's campaign to blame Britain for protests against disputed election results.
The man, a 44-year-old Iranian who is the British embassy's chief political analyst, was arrested on Saturday and has been formally charged at Tehran's Evin Prison, his lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, said. "Apparently he will be put on trial. We have prepared and submitted the defence documents and I have to see the judge next week."
It was is not clear whether any other embassy staff will face prosecution. A senior cleric claimed that some had "confessed" to playing a role in the protest movement. The staging of political trials is likely to lead to a breach in relations not only with Britain, but also with the European Union. Iranian ambassadors were summoned to foreign ministries in capitals across Europe in a coordinated rebuke .
Senior police officer Uri Bar Lev's personal handgun and police car were stolen late Friday night after burglars broke into his home in central Israel. The incident occurred as Bar Lev was expected to assume his new position as the Israel Police representative to the United States in Washington D.C. The intruders arrived at the house during the early hours of Saturday morning while Bar Lev, his wife and their three children were still asleep.
The incident occurred as Bar Lev was expected to assume his new position as the Israel Police representative to the United States in Washington D.C.
The intruders arrived at the house during the early hours of Saturday morning while Bar Lev, his wife and their three children were still asleep.
this guy is in trouble. keep to the Fen Causeway
Leading Clerics Defy Ayatollah on Disputed Iran Election [Link: dKos diary; quote from New York Times article]
CAIRO -- The most important group of religious leaders in Iran called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate on Saturday, an act of defiance against the country's supreme leader and the most public sign of a major split in the country's clerical establishment. A statement by the group, the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum, represents a significant, if so far symbolic, setback for the government and especially the authority of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose word is supposed to be final. The government has tried to paint the opposition and its top presidential candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi, as criminals and traitors, a strategy that now becomes more difficult -- if not impossible.
A statement by the group, the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum, represents a significant, if so far symbolic, setback for the government and especially the authority of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose word is supposed to be final. The government has tried to paint the opposition and its top presidential candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi, as criminals and traitors, a strategy that now becomes more difficult -- if not impossible.
Grand Ayatollah is a title he was given when he was assigned to be the Iranian leader. This title has been widely criticised by Muslim scholars[who?] who do not recognise Khamenei as an Ayatollah.[citation needed] At the time of Khomeini's death Khamenei was not a marja or even an ayatollah, and the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran required the Supreme Leader to be a marja. However, Ayatollah Khomeini had not been satisfied with the field of candidates to replace him and in April 1989, three months before his death, assigned a team to revise the constitution so that the Supreme Leader of Iran need only be an expert on Islamic jurisprudence and possess the "appropriate political and managerial skills".[21][30] This new amendment to the constitution had not been put to a referendum yet, so upon choosing Khamenei the Assembly of Experts internally titled him a temporary office holder until the new constitution became effective. The choice of Khamenei is said to be a political one,[31] but the "political elite" of the Islamic Republic "rallied behind Khamenei" and his status was "elevated overnight" from Hojjat ol-Islam to Ayatollah. His status as marja is controversial. In 1994, after the death of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Araki, the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom declared Khamenei a new marja. However, four of Iran's dissident grand ayatollahs declined to recognize Khamenei as a marja.[32] Nevertheless, according to narjes.org a cleric only needs acceptance of a few grand ayatollahs to be recognized as marja.[33] Khamenei refused the offer of marja'iyat for Iran, as he explained, due to other heavy responsibilities, but agreed to be the marja for the Shi'as outside of Iran. His acceptance of marja'iyat for Shi'as outside Iran does not have traditional precedence in Shi'ism. Marja'iyat can be, and in modern times it increasingly is, transitional.[31] Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Shirazi, who was under house-arrest at the time for his opposition to Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, did not accept Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a marja. According to "Human Rights in Iran" (2001) by Pace University's Reza Afshari, Shirazi was "indignant" over recognition of Khamenei as the Supreme Leader and a marja. Shirazi (who died in late 2001) apparently favored a committee of Grand Ayatollahs to lead the country. Other marjas who questioned the legitimacy of Khamenei's marja'yat were dissident clerics: Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, Grand Ayatollah Hassan Tabatabai-Qomi and Grand Ayatollah Yasubedin Rastegari.[32]
At the time of Khomeini's death Khamenei was not a marja or even an ayatollah, and the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran required the Supreme Leader to be a marja. However, Ayatollah Khomeini had not been satisfied with the field of candidates to replace him and in April 1989, three months before his death, assigned a team to revise the constitution so that the Supreme Leader of Iran need only be an expert on Islamic jurisprudence and possess the "appropriate political and managerial skills".[21][30] This new amendment to the constitution had not been put to a referendum yet, so upon choosing Khamenei the Assembly of Experts internally titled him a temporary office holder until the new constitution became effective. The choice of Khamenei is said to be a political one,[31] but the "political elite" of the Islamic Republic "rallied behind Khamenei" and his status was "elevated overnight" from Hojjat ol-Islam to Ayatollah.
His status as marja is controversial. In 1994, after the death of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Araki, the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom declared Khamenei a new marja. However, four of Iran's dissident grand ayatollahs declined to recognize Khamenei as a marja.[32] Nevertheless, according to narjes.org a cleric only needs acceptance of a few grand ayatollahs to be recognized as marja.[33] Khamenei refused the offer of marja'iyat for Iran, as he explained, due to other heavy responsibilities, but agreed to be the marja for the Shi'as outside of Iran. His acceptance of marja'iyat for Shi'as outside Iran does not have traditional precedence in Shi'ism. Marja'iyat can be, and in modern times it increasingly is, transitional.[31]
Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Shirazi, who was under house-arrest at the time for his opposition to Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, did not accept Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a marja. According to "Human Rights in Iran" (2001) by Pace University's Reza Afshari, Shirazi was "indignant" over recognition of Khamenei as the Supreme Leader and a marja. Shirazi (who died in late 2001) apparently favored a committee of Grand Ayatollahs to lead the country. Other marjas who questioned the legitimacy of Khamenei's marja'yat were dissident clerics: Grand Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, Grand Ayatollah Hassan Tabatabai-Qomi and Grand Ayatollah Yasubedin Rastegari.[32]
