Why Iran can’t have nukes
“We do not worship Iran, we worship Allah. … I say, let this land [Iran] burn. I say let this land go up in smoke, provided Islam emerges triumphant…”
- Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
In: In Their Own Words · Tagged with: Iran
Is film ‘Iranium’ so damaging Iran doesn’t want Canadians to see it?
[Originally published at The US Report]
A scheduled screening of a controversial new documentary in Canada has reportedly caused threats of violence, protests, and even a request from the Iranian embassy for its cancellation.
The Free Thinking Film Society of Ottawa, which shows films with a “healthy and patriotic respect for Western culture and traditions,” had planned on showing Iranium to an audience at the Canadian National Archives on Tuesday evening followed by a special appearance by Middle East expert Clare Lopez, who appears in the film. Iranium addresses the dangers posed by a nuclear Iran and is scheduled to premier on February 8. However, the Iranian embassy sent an official request to cancel the screening over the weekend, and the Archives received numerous complaints and threats.
The Archives also received two suspicious letters Tuesday afternoon connected to the event, prompting officials to shut down the entire building. A hazardous materials team responded to the incident, and concluded that the letters were safe. Officials determined that complaints and threats accompanying the Iranian request posed too serious a security threat, and the National Archives decided to cancel the event.
“I’m outraged that in the capital of Canada the Iranians have been able to shut down a movie,” said the film society’s president, Fred Litwin. “Bad enough in Tehran, but in Ottawa?”
The Iranian embassy has not responded to attempts to contact them.
“That the mere prospect that this film, which is a factual review of the threat to international stability from the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons program, should prompt such a fearful response from Tehran, I think, is testimony to the vulnerable status of the mullahs’ regime,” Ms. Lopez told The US Report. “That regime knows it is going to be held to account by its own people, whose aspirations for liberty will not be denied.”
Canada’s Heritage Minister James Moore and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney both voiced their disapproval of the decision to cancel the event, and Mr. Moore ordered the event to go ahead, albeit with appropriate security measures.
“Canada does not accept attempts from the Iranian Embassy to dictate what films will, and will not be shown in Canada,” a statement from Mr. Moore’s office read.
Lopez applauded the minister’s decision and says she will attend the event when it is rescheduled.
In: Geopolitics · Tagged with: Canada, Iran, Iranium
Canada shuts down movie at Iran’s behest
Update 19 Jan, 2011 @ 14:19 – Canada’s Heritage Minister has ordered the Library & Archives Canada to proceed with the screening.
I just finished screening the upcoming documentary Iranium. This excellent film exposes what politicians and the media are afraid to tell us: that Iran has apocalyptic intentions and a focus on destroying the United States and Israel. Historically, nations have always denied their development of a nuclear weapons program, but Iranium shows Iran’s leaders proudly announcing to their people that they (1) are developing nuclear weapons, (2) nothing can stop them, and (3) they plan on using them. Iran tells American media an entirely different – and much more pleasant – story, and unless you stay on top of geopolitics or watch this video, you won’t hear about the imminent threat Iran poses to the West – and Americans in particular.
Iranium has already generated controversy as a screening at the Canadian National Archives was shut down Monday following a cancellation request from the Iranian Embassy. On Tuesday, Canadian officials received threats of violence and protest, and a hazardous materials unit investigated two suspicious packages related to the incident.
Viewers will be able to watch Iranium free online on February 8, 2011. You can register at the website or buy the DVD.
In: National Security · Tagged with: Canada, Iran, Iranium, nuclear weapons
Former CIA agent says Iran WILL use their nuclear weapons against the West
Reza Khalili would know, he was a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. It is interesting to see that Islamic end times prophecy mirrors that of Christians – just from the other side. John Bernard has more at Let Them Fight.
In: Geopolitics, National Security, Religion · Tagged with: CIA, Iran
Who is behind Stuxnet attack on Iran?
A powerful computer virus is attacking Iran’s nuclear program, and evidence indicates a targeted cyber attack from a national intelligence agency.
The Stuxnet worm targets German-manufactured Siemens software systems found in automated industrial systems like those in Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor. Since Stuxnet’s discovery in June, information technology analysts have now had time to study the worm, determining that due to its advanced nature and ability to exploit security vulnerabilities and using stolen security certificates, the worm may have been created by a national intelligence agency.
According to Mahmoud Jafari, the project manager at Bushehr, Stuxnet has not affected the site’s main computers, but has attacked several personal computers. Iran’s semi-official IRNA news agency and other media have reported the worm has infected some 30,000 computers.
Jafari stated that Bushehr’s October launch date will not be affected. The plant has experienced numerous delays, and Iran has not yet offered an explanation why they have pushed back their recent Sept. 2 deadline. Sources for the Israeli Debkafile news service estimate that some 3,000 centrifuges at the Natanz facility have stalled.
Another IRNA report states that the extent of the attack is unclear, and that it could take two or three months to repair the infected systems. However, the damage could increase as two or three newer versions of the worm are now spreading.
According to Fox News, Pentagon Spokesman Col. David Lapan said the Department of Defense can “neither confirm nor deny” whether it is behind the attack.
Stuxnet has also affected computers in India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, but the majority of attacks have been against Iranian systems.
[Originally published at The US Report]
In: Articles, Geopolitics · Tagged with: cyberwarfare, Iran
DoD apparently not concerned with Iranian flyby
According to the Navy Times, an Iranian reconnaissance plane buzzed one of our aircraft carriers on Apr. 21. A Fokker F27 turboprop aircraft circled around the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for approximately 20 minutes before making a low pass. It is unknown whether the Eisenhower took defensive action. U.S. defense officials downplayed the encounter as relatively common.
While the Navy has regular encounters with Iranian aircraft, officials stated that the carrier was operating in an area of the Gulf of Oman where such incidents are far less frequent. The carrier was supporting the war efforts in Afghanistan, and had just finished flight operations and participated in an at-sea resupply.
One unidentified official told the Navy Times, “From our perspective, this is not something to get excited about — this is not out of the ordinary — this is within the bounds of what has happened in the past.”
Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, said the Iranians were “not provocative or threatening.” While that may be true, their president has repeatedly warned world leaders to prepare for “a world without the United States.” When a nation that openly calls for our destruction – and is reportedly developing a nuclear weapon – begins buzzing our aircraft carriers, one would think the Pentagon’s reaction would be sterner.
With that in mind, could Iran’s actions be considered provocative?
“The reports I’ve seen indicate the aircraft flew to ‘within about 1,000 yards of the ship,’ and — though seemingly a bit provocative — this would not be a violation of any written or unwritten international law,” says Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr., a recognized expert on terrorism and military/national defense issues. “You have to remember that during the Cold War, the Soviets constantly tried to sail close to us and overfly us. We would often have an alert fighter on station that would intercept and sort of shoulder them off.”
In fact, a Russian bomber buzzed another carrier – the USS Nimitz – as another circled nearby back in 2008. During that incident, fighters were launched, but again, Adm. Roughead downplayed the incident, saying “they were just stretching their legs, so to speak.”
How often do similar incidents happen today?
“More so than is published, but probably a lot less than the general public might think,” says Smith. “These kinds of demonstrations on the high seas are really just posturing. The Iranians know they wouldn’t stand a chance in action against the U.S. fleet. And they also know the limits on how much they can posture and generally make a show of force without it being perceived as an immediate or direct threat to our forces.”
What actions – political or military – can be taken to prevent future encounters?
“Nothing really,” Smith says. “Generally speaking, one sovereign state’s navy and air force has just as much right as another to patrol and conduct exercises — even pushing the limits on territory another navy is operating in — in and above international waters.”
[Originally published at The US Report]
In: Military · Tagged with: Iran
Military Roundup
Photo of the Day: Marines in Norway
Military history: ‘Flaming Joe’ returns to Iwo Jima (now called Iwo To).
The House of Representatives has voted to exempt TRICARE from the health reform bill. But if Obamacare is such a great thing, then why keep veterans out?
Haditha: Wuterich seeks to dismiss charges
Hillary Clinton tells audience that the U.S. will not “compromise on its commitment” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. What exactly is our “commitment,” and what will it do to prevent Iran from nuking up? She also stated that U.S. support for Israeli security is “rock solid, unwavering, enduring and forever.” Talk about a “willing suspension of disbelief.” Judging by our foreign policy, one would think that Israel is the genocidal country that also happens to be killing our troops in two theaters – not Iran, who we seem to be placating at every opportunity.
In case you missed it, the American Civil Liberties Union (more accurately – the American Communist Lawyers Union) has filed a lawsuit demanding the basis for conducting targeted killings with armed drones.
In: Military Roundup · Tagged with: ACLU, Afghanistan, Foreign Policy, Haditha, healthcare, Hillary Clinton, Iran, Israel, Iwo Jima
Military Roundup
Iran: While our leadership appears willing to move mountains to work with the Iranians, Iran is busy teaching the Taliban how to murder our troops more effectively. It is important to note that the Sunni Taliban and the Shi’ite Iranians have little problem working together to kill our men and women. Meanwhile, Iranians are killing U.S. troops in Iraq.
Vets for Congress: Lt. Col. Bill Connor (U.S. Army Res.), who is running for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina, has earned a recent endorsement from retired Army Major General Paul Vallely. With leadership principles like “Mission first, men always,” and “leaders eat last,” it appears that the Palmetto State will be in good hands. Scores of other military members have endorsed Connor including 12 generals and all five of South Carolina’s living Medal of Honor recipients.
Lt. Col. Allen West (U.S. Army, retired) is running for U.S. Congress in Florida. Mike Thornton – one of the S.C. Medal recipients supporting Connor – has also endorsed Lt. Col. West, and will appear in two campaign events on Thursday, March 25.
This week in U.S. military history: Military Milestones from Guilford Courthouse to Iraq
65 years ago, the Battle of Iwo Jima was drawing to a close. The Medal of Honor citations for the battle can be viewed at Unto the Breach.
The first episode of HBO’s miniseries The Pacific is available for online viewing at HBO.com.
Israel has declassified materials that display multiple instances of Hamas terrorists using children as human shields during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza Strip, despite a U.N. report stating the exact opposite. Meanwhile, five Gaza rockets have hit Israel in the past 24 hours.
Following its first-ever vertical takeoff the day before, the F-35 Lightning II made its first-ever vertical landing on Thursday.
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell update: In the military, male-on-male rapes reportedly occur more often than male-on-female rapes.
Afghanistan: Two Russian veterans of the Soviet campaign in Afghanistan seem to think that the Taliban can be bribed not to fight.
In: Military Roundup · Tagged with: Afghanistan, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Gaza, Hamas, human shields, Iran, Israel, Mike Thornton, Taliban
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
“Our religions and our histories are different but our target is the same. We both want to kill Americans.”
- Taliban commander on his Iranian IED training.
Traditionally, the Sunni-dominated Taliban is largely opposed by the Shi’te-majority Iran. But the former adversaries have united against the U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
In: In Their Own Words · Tagged with: IED, Iran, Taliban
World’s leading anti-Semite is… a Semite?
Hoax alert: It has come to my attention this information was not accurate. See the Guardian article here – Ahmadinejad is not a former Jew after all. (HT Ironman)
Ahmadinejad displaying documents that show his previous name was Jewish.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: The genocidal maniac formerly known as Sabourjian.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Ahmadinejad’s parents were Sabourjians until converting to Islam after little Mahmoud’s birth.
The Sabourjians traditionally hail from Aradan, Mr Ahmadinejad’s birthplace, and the name derives from “weaver of the Sabour”, the name for the Jewish Tallit shawl in Persia. The name is even on the list of reserved names for Iranian Jews compiled by Iran’s Ministry of the Interior.
Jews in Iran have reserved names?
A London-based expert on Iranian Jewry said that “jian” ending to the name specifically showed the family had been practising Jews.
When Ahmadinejad threatens to drive the Israelis into the sea two or three times tomorrow, we now know that he is trying to hide something. J. Michael Waller at Political Warfare wonders what else Ahmadinejad could be trying to hide:
Now . . . Ahmadinejad says there are no gays in Iran. Might he be overcompensating for something else? Inquiring minds want to know.
Can anyone else name an anti-Semitic, genocidal dictator who had Jewish roots himself?
In: Geopolitics · Tagged with: anti-Semitism, Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
