The Iranian Armageddon ... Alan Caruba

The Iranian Armageddon

By Alan Caruba

In the months and years leading up to the beginning of World War Two, all the parties knew full well Hitler’s intention to start a war. When he struck a deal with Stalin to divide Poland, the die was cast. The invasion came in September 1939. Previously, diplomats had met with the Nazis to offer them the former Czechoslovakia and turned a blind eye to other provocative events.

World War Two was preceded by Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” that spelled out his plans for Europe’s Jews and the torrent of lies that led to war and the genocide that became known as the Holocaust.

It is not surprising that history is repeating itself as in the case of an April 7 letter to The Wall Street Journal by Alireza Miryousefi of the Iranian Mission to the U.N. “There is no evidence of any military diversion” in Iran’s nuclear facilities claimed Mr. Miryousefi, who went on to assert that “the real threat of nuclear proliferation” was Israel which he described as “the Zionist regime.”

Despite Iran’s support for two terrorist organizations, Hezbollah and Hamas, it was Israel, said Mr. Miryousefi, that was “the biggest terrorist and apartheid regime.”

Today, everyone knows the Iran’s crazed ayatollahs intend to secure nuclear weapon capability and everyone knows that, when they do, they will attack Israel with them. They have never ceased to call for its destruction. It is not a question of if, but when.

How close is “when”? The Iranians just released a video titled “The Coming is Near” that describes the current events in the Middle East as the prelude to the coming of the Twelfth Imam, the Mahdi, a figure particular to the Shiite branch of Islam and one that Islamic scriptures say will lead the armies of Islam to victory over all non-Muslims in the last days.

In a nuclear age, as Nikita Krushchev, a former Premier of the Soviet Union, once said, “The living will envy the dead.” Those were the days of the Cold War and, with both the U.S. and Russia possessing nukes, the concept of mutually assured destruction, MAD, was understood. This, however, does not apply to the ayatollahs. They need massive destruction to bring about their Islamic End Times scenario.

In a recent Wall Street Journal interview with Bernard Lewis, the West’s leading scholar on the Middle East, he pointed out that the mullahs “are religious fanatics with an apocalyptic mindset. In Islam, as in Christianity and Judaism, there is an end-of-times scenario—and they think it’s beginning or has already begun.”

The result, said Lewis, is that “mutually assured destruction is not a deterrent—it’s an inducement.”

In the days leading up to World War Two, the diplomatic choice was appeasement. Today, hope is that the mullahs can be deterred long enough that Iranians will somehow bring about regime change from within. The computer virus, Stuxnet, had the affect of interfering with the enrichment process necessary to weaponize uranium, but may not now be a factor.

In the meantime, the Gulf Cooperation Council, composed of six GCC states are discussing a proposal to identify and deport an estimated 20,000 Shiites linked to Iran. In Kuwait the plan would focus on Lebanese Shiites with links to Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

It is believed that many Iranian agents have been activated this year and, as such, pose a security threat. Said one GCC insider, “For years, the GCC knew of these people, but looked the other way. We can’t look the other way anymore.”

The news, unfortunately, just keeps getting worse and worse. In the muddle that represents the effort to overthrow Libya’s Gadhafi, DebkaFile reports that the “rebels” have sold thousands of chemical shells found in Benghazi to Hezbollah and Hamas, two puppet organizations funded by Iran.

When you add to that the thousands of rockets cached in Lebanon by Hezbollah and the rocketing that has been reinstituted from Gaza by Hamas, you have a trigger for a wider war.

Specifically, you have the elements of the destruction of Israel by the Iranians and the so-called Palestinians, a stateless group that have been the pawns of Iran and Arab nations for more than six decades.

In late March, Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) were joined by twenty-five other Senators who sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking her to identify specific steps the administration is taking to press the Palestinian Authority to end the “dangerous incitement against Jews and Israel.” The letter was sent in the wake of the terrorist murder of the Fogel family in Itamar and a bombing of a civilian bus in Jerusalem. A school bus has since been attacked.

You don’t have to be a CIA analyst to know that events in the Middle East will be exploited by the Iranians to bring about their apocalyptic End Times aspirations and that the destruction of Israel is, in their view, the trigger. After Israel, the United States and Europe will be next.

© Alan Caruba, 2011

Obama Lacks Respect Among World Leaders

Obama Lacks Respect Among World Leaders
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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Americans like to be liked. At least, that is what we have been told for decades. And while it is true to an extent, it is not one hundred percent true. In fact, the American people will take respect over likeability when the occasion calls for it. Actually, the American people’s desire for respect far exceeds that of their leaders who are, of course, politicians. We all know that a politician’s political life depends upon his/her “likeability factor.” It is far more important to them to be liked than to be respected.

That fact presents a terrible problem for the country in international diplomacy. When our representatives are dealing with the leaders of foreign countries, especially our enemies, it is immeasurably important they be respected. If there is no respect for the American leader, there is a better than even chance an attempt will be made to “roll” the American leader. The foreign leader, in such a situation, gets what he wants from the American, while the American only THINKS he got what he wanted, only to find out later that he had been conned and, in fact, got the short end of the stick.

Mr. Obama’s foreign forays, flying into European countries and Asian countries, have yielded America nothing for all his flashy efforts abroad. His meetings with foreign leaders has been “meet and greet,” dinner, posing for photographs, delivering remarks in which he apologizes for America’s short-comings, and waving from the steps of Air Force One and then flying away having accomplished nothing substantial, at all.

Even our traditional friends have taken a standoffish posture toward Obama. The British, after having been offended by Obama in the first few days of his presidency, now stand back and reserve their efforts, on America’s behalf abroad, even though they are America’s oldest friend, the Mother Country, in fact.

In the Middle East, Mr. Obama deliberately shunned The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and left Mr. Netanyahu sitting alone for an hour or more while Obama went off to have dinner with his family. That was an unforgivable snub and one that will never be forgotten. Sooner than later, the US is going to need Israel’s help, covertly, or overtly, and it will be slow in coming, IF it comes at all. What goes around -- comes around.

See, Netanyahu believes that peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis can only be accomplished under Israel’s terms. And Netanyahu has said “NO” to Obama’s demand that there be no more settlements constructed by Israel. That act by Netanyahu leaves Obama absolutely nothing he can offer to the Palestinians or the Syrians. As we said – what goes around – comes around.

Obama’s henchmen in the White House are now more than a little concerned that the Obama Regime will be compared to the Jimmy Carter Administration. They needn’t worry, it is already being compared to Jimmy Carter’s administration, and, it has come up short of Carter’s sterling performance as a paper tiger.

Newt Gingrich recently said: "Carter tried weakness and the world got tougher and tougher because the predators, the aggressors, the anti-Americans, the dictators, when they sense weakness, they all start pushing ahead." Gingrich also said, referring to the Obama Regime, "This does look a lot like Jimmy Carter." (SOURCE)

It has been said that Obama speaks apologetically and carries no stick at all!

In May of this year, Ed Koch, a former Mayor of New York City, (a democrat) said the following in Koch’s Comments”: “Have we lost the will to stand up to the bullies of the world? The administration points with pride to the fact that it is preceding with sanctions against Iran at the Security Council and that it succeeded in bringing Russia and China to the point where they too have agreed to vote for sanctions. To accomplish this, however, the US had to agree to Russia's delivering arms to Iran, e.g., an anti-aircraft system that would be used to shoot down US, and Israeli planes that might in the future seek to eliminate Iran's nuclear facilities. With respect to China and getting its consent to vote with us, we dropped sanction measures that would have crippled Iran's banking and financial institutions and prohibited the sale of gasoline to Iran, which has no conversion facilities, which would have devastated its economy.

Some will say that pointing out these failures of will is jingoistic. I believe these failures to stand up for allies and most importantly to stand up for ourselves is why we are taken less seriously by nations throughout the world than should be the case. When others fully respected us, we were able to keep the world at peace. We are losing that ability with each passing day, as we demonstrate our unwillingness to teach the bullies of the world the lessons they deserve.

Speak softly and carry a big stick, Teddy Roosevelt said. President Obama speaks apologetically and carries no stick at all. No wonder North Korea torpedoed that South Korean warship, something they would not have done in all probability if China had not quietly approved. No wonder Brazil and Turkey thumb their noses at us. We have become a laughingstock.” (SOURCE)

We have disagreed with Mayor Koch on numerous occasions, but this is one of those times when we are in total agreement.

We continue to see America being laughed at and made fun of around the world while Obama bows and scrapes and apologizes. It is embarrassing. But more than that -- it is dangerous, very dangerous, not only for America, but for the world.

J. D. Longstreet

“Jew Hating” Alive and Well in Europe and AMERICA!

“Jew Hating” Alive and Well in Europe and AMERICA!
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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Call me naive, if you must, but I have been astounded in recent years at the depth of “Jew hating” among the peoples of Europe. I have become used to the raw, visceral, hatred of Jews from so much of the Middle East, but after fighting a war in Europe to eradicate Hitler, and the Jew hating Nazis, one would expect that Europeans had learned a lesson. Apparently, they have not.

Here in America, hatred of Jews is alive and well. One must remember that prior to the Second World War the American Nazi Party was a strong vibrant entity -- right here on American soil. One of their biggest rallies was in Madison Square Garden in, of all places, New York City.

Hatred of any race of fellow human beings is morally despicable. For those who profess to be followers of Christ, Christians, hating Jews is more than morally wrong and despicable, it is a vile sin. Jesus, Himself, was a Jew. It doesn’t even make sense.

The old excuse of blaming the Jews for the crucifixion of Christ is pure bull. History, (and the scriptures) confirm(s) the presence of a Roman governor, who pronounced the death sentence, and the Roman soldiers who carried it out. The Jews were forbidden by their faith from doing so. Both Gentile and Jew, share the blame.

For the so-called religious among us to envy the Jews as a result of their special favor in the sight of God as His “Chosen People” is ludicrous. Remember, it was Cain’s envy of the favor God extended to Cain’s brother Abel that led Cain, in his jealousy, to murder his own brother.

It is important to remember that Palestine was the name the Romans gave the area they governed in what we call the Middle East today. Israel was a part of that territory. Clearly, Jews were there. History confirms it.

The modern state of Israel was founded May 16th, 1948. Within 24 hours, their Arab neighbors attacked them from all sides. Their intent was to murder the state of Israel aborning. They failed. The Infant nation of Israel was victorious over all the nations intent on her destruction.

Israel has had its big brother, America, by its side since some ten minutes after its founding when the American President Harry Truman phoned to congratulate Israel’s government and the Israeli people -- and to pledge America’s support.

It has been an on-going struggle for Israel at the United Nations. One could even say that the only thing about which the UN is “united” is their combined distaste and hatred for Israel. One can easily conclude that the reason for this concentrated condemnation of Israel at the UN is because Israel is viewed as the “Jewish State.”

The recent incident with the so-called “peace activists, “ attempting to run the Israeli/Egyptian blockade of Gaza, exhibited all the earmarks of a “set-up.” It was an obvious publicity stunt gone very bad.

Of course, the world media made Israeli out to be the villain -- as is their wont. Apparently, it is considered villainous if Israel attempts to defend itself. It would seem that Israel is the only country on the globe expected to allow her enemies to do as they please and never, ever, dare to assert their rights as a sovereign nation – and as human beings.

All of this should tell anyone willing to listen that anti-Semitism is alive and well and even thriving -- even after the Third Reich demonstrated to the world where it ultimately leads.

I am not optimistic that hatred of the Jews will end, or even lessen, any time soon. In fact, I expect it to get much, much, worse and eventually lead the nations of the world to a place known as the Megiddo Valley and the final battle known as -- the Battle of Armageddon.

J. D. Longstreet

Iran Draws Ever Closer to the “Islam Bomb”

Iran Draws Ever Closer to the “Islam Bomb”
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
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Over the past few months, there have been a few shrugged shoulders, and a few mutters, about allowing Iran to acquire the atomic bomb rather than have a third front in the War on Terror. Granted, those shrugs and mutterings have been emanating from those with, shall we say… less “constitution,” than most? But, still, whispers of that nature tend to grow into cacophonies among, as we said, those with, uh, less constitution.

“But, J. D., doesn’t that make sense?” you may ask. “I mean, it’s only one more country in the Middle East,” you may continue.

Well, while it is true that Pakistan has the bomb, and Israel has the bomb, Iran is a whole ‘nuther story.

Pakistan is a constant worry for the US. There is little doubt that at some point, in the not too distant future, the US will have to deal with an overthrow of the current regime in Pakistan and the possibility that some, less than stable, individuals will gain control of that country’s nuclear arsenal. It’s going to happen. Bet money on it. That could be years down the road, or it could be tomorrow. The fact that we have troops next door is not a coincidence. You can bet the Pentagon has burned the midnight oil, on numerous long nights, planning, and then re-planning, how to rectify that situation… when if happens.

Israel has a nuclear arsenal. You know… the one they don’t have. Right… that one! The thing is, Israel has no plans to wipe anyone out, save for those who may attempt to do her and her people harm.

From the media we learn this: “Earlier this week, Iran state television reported that the Islamic Republic has successfully test-fired the Sejil-2 missile, whose range outstrips the Shahab, a missile said to be capable of striking Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf. Al Alam, Iran's Arabic-language satellite television, said the Sejil missile had a longer range than the Shahab missile, which Iranian officials in the past have said can reach targets 2,000 km (1,250 miles) away, which would put Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf within reach.” Read the entire article HERE.

Which brings us back to Iran. Iran has yet to acquire the bomb. At least… we THINK they haven’t. If not, they are certainly on the threshold of obtaining what some are calling the “Islam Bomb”.

For those “shoulder shruggers,” please consider… Iran is the instigator of much of the terror around the globe today with training, and with money, munitions, material, and in a number of cases, personnel. It is one thing for Iran, alone, to have the bomb, it is quite another for Iran to begin handing those nuclear bombs off to bands of terrorists, all over the planet, who have absolutely no qualms about setting one of them off in Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, London, or New York! And therein lies the greatest threat posed by Iran’s ownership of The Bomb.

Too often we have adjusted our national blinders so that we are seeing only an atomic attack upon Israel instigated by Iran. I must tell you, the likelihood of Iran arming terrorists with A-bombs is far more likely and, far and away, more dangerous to the US and the world.

Some of us in America understand that it will take a nuclear disaster in one of our large cities to get the attention of that portion of Americans who normally do not take part in the daily grind of everyday politics in the country and the world. They are those folks who will ask: “Now why would anyone want to bomb one of our great cities”? They are the folks who will STILL be puzzled as the mushroom cloud rears it’s dark, ugly, countenance above the ruins of what was formally a thriving metropolis with hundreds of thousand of Americans minding their own business, just like them, before the blinding flash that took their lives.

We have always had those folks with us. Historians tell us that when the 13 American Colonies girded for war against Great Britain, 1/3 were for the war for Independence, 1/3 were against the war, and 1/3 didn’t care, one way or the other.

In the days of yesteryear it was gallant, chivalrous even, to allow the opponent to get off the first shot before America took them out. Today… there will be no chance to strike back. The weapons of war are so powerful that he who gets of the first shot, most likely, will be the winner (if there is such a thing as a “winner” in a nuclear war.)

The point of my rambling is this: We have to take the reins in our teeth, dear reader, and do what must be done… before it is too late. Iran must be stopped. And the deed must be done sooner, rather than later. Americans, befuddled by all the politics in the air, both day and night for the past few years, are NOT paying attention to the gathering threat. While we are in the midst of the so-called GREAT RECESSION, Americans are, indeed, distracted. Dear reader, “distracted” is not a good thing when a country is at war for it’s very existence.

It is more likely now that Israel will attack Iran with the current Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in charge. Netanyahu, himself a former member of the Israeli Special Forces, is acutely aware of the danger posed by Iran’s acquisition of the Islam Bomb. Remember the former government’s bungling of the war in Lebanon? Many in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) are still smarting from that fiasco. And, it is becoming ever more clear that the US, under the Obama Regime, cannot be counted on to stand with Israel if, when, the “War with Iran” begins. This scribe had originally thought a series of bombing raids on Iran’s nuclear facilities might be able to, at least, set back the Iranian race for the bomb a few years. Now, however, I am convinced a few air raids will not do it. It now appears, at least to this scribe, that there will be a protracted war between Iran and Israel with many casualties and, quite possibly, an exchange of missiles with major cities of both countries being destroyed in the conflagration. In other words there will be little “surgical” about it. It will be a brawl.

No, I have no idea when the strike will come, but come it will. Iran is showing all the signs that it is spoiling for a war with Israel. Israel will have no choice. Well, actually, there is a choice. Europe and America can get behind Israel and assist Israel in taking out the nuclear threat from Iran and continue to enjoy a life of freedom. Or Europe and America can allow Iran to build the bomb, disseminate it to terrorist bands around the globe, and live in fear and trembling as slaves to the Islamofacists. Those are the choices. There is NO MIDDLE GROUND… contrary to what some leading politicians would have us believe.

Now, understand. I am not “warmongering” here. What I AM trying to do is redirect the spotlight onto the very REAL, and possibly worse, threat emanating from Iran’s possession of an Atomic Bomb. And that is… again… arming terrorists with it.

America has had it rather easy, as a nation. We’ve had our wars, even amongst ourselves, but we have had periods of peace. But, I fear that is over.

I hate to break it to some of you, but the war on terror is a never-ending war. It is not likely we will ever again have a world without US troops in the Middle East. But, even if it comes to pass, that we DO manage to dampen the hostilities there, it will be only temporary. In the meantime, wars all over the globe will flare-up and US troops will be required and called into combat in diverse places. It will be a constant struggle; waged from day to day, as young Americans spill their blood in an attempt to keep the death and destruction from our shores. But, eventually, it will arrive here, in America, and we, too, will live then as Israel does today. We’ll not be able to board a municipal bus without worrying if it has a bomb affixed to it, or enter the doors of a shopping mall without the same fear, or attend a sporting event, without that same dark worry tugging at our conscious minds. It will become a way of life and we will yearn for these days of relative peace. Hardly an American family will survive without a death, or multiple deaths, of their young as a result of these wars.

Gloomy? Yes, it is, very. But as I approach my seventieth decade on this earth, I can look ahead and base this prediction on my experience of the 5 wars in my lifetime (so far) in which we have engaged the enemy and found that we have won, lost, or “tied” at the conclusion.

It is said in the Holy Scriptures that in the latter days, or “end times” as some refer to those days, “men will cry peace, peace, but there will be no peace”. Those Scriptures have proven time and time again to be right on target. I see no reason to doubt them, or their wisdom, as we stand at the threshold of a war without end.

The future is going to be difficult. But, it CAN be easier, If the Obama Regime, gets behind Israel in the coming conflict with Iran. Unfortunately, it appears to all who care to observe objectively the Obama Regime’s maneuvering in the Middle East, that the President’s sympathies tend to lie more with the Islamic faction, than with the Israeli faction and, by extension, with the American and European factions.

J. D. Longstreet