The link with David Wilkerson's urgent word has moved here
February 13, 2012
Krauthammer: Israel ‘will strike Iran to prevent a second holocaust’
US admiral says forces prepared to confront Iran
The top US Navy official in the Persian Gulf said Sunday he takes Iran's military capabilities seriously but insists his forces are prepared to confront any Iranian aggression in the region. story
US Navy: Iran's prepared suicide bomb boats in Gulf
The commander of US naval forces in the region says US navy can prevent Iran from blocking Strait of Hormuz; "They've increased the number of submarines, fast attack craft," Vice Admiral Mark Fox says. story
'If US cuts aid to Egypt, we'll alter Israel peace deal'
Senior Muslim Brotherhood official tells 'Al Hayat' if the US cuts aid to Egypt, it would be violation of 1979 peace accords. story
Hamas' Haniyeh: Armed resistance is the only way to fight Israel
The only path in the Palestinian struggle against Israel is the path of armed resistance, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said during a visit to Iran on Monday, adding that the "gun is our only response to Zionist regime." story
Pardo probed US reaction to unilateral Iran strike
Mossad chief sought info on Washington's reaction if Israel were to unilaterally strike Iran, 'Newsweek' reports. story
Muslims Claim Israel Planning to Build on Temple Mount
The report cited the Al-AqsaFoundation for Endowment and Heritage, which claimed that a committee within the Israeli municipality of Jerusalem has submitted plans for the new structure. story
EGYPTIAN CHRISTIANS TO BE FORCED TO LEAVE?
Analysts have begun warning that the recent increase in violent protests in Egypt is putting the nation’s millennia-old minority Christian community in great danger, and members may be forced to leave their homeland. story
February 12, 2012
COUNTDOWN! IRAN'S FINGER ON NUCLEAR TRIGGER
2 warheads, payloads could be weaponized in weeks. story
Al-Qaida calls on Muslim world to support Assad opposition forces
New video of terror group's chief Ayman al-Zawahri urging the ouster of Syria's 'cancerous regime' follows report of al-Qaida links to recent series of bombings in the country. story
Syria documents show Iran helping Assad to sidestep sanctions
Documents leaked following cyber-attack by hacker group Anonymous, show Tehran has given Assad more than $1b in effort to overcome oil embargo. story
Egypt seizes Gaza-bound anti-aircraft missiles
Ma'an reports security forces in Sinai intercept shipment of missiles, several tons of TNT. story
Poll: Palestinians reject 2-state solution
Israel is widely portrayed as the primary obstacle to peace in the Middle East, but a new poll reveals that Israelis may have very good reason for not trusting the intentions of their Palestinian peace partners. story
February 11, 2012
Ahmadinejad: Iran to reveal new nuke achievements
Iran will soon unveil "big new" nuclear achievements, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday. story
Iran government cuts off internet access as hardline regime makes a stand
Interestingly, the shutdown comes at a time when inhabitants are preparing to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, with rumours of anti-government protests also planned. story
Gunmen assassinate army general in Damascus
The attack is a sign that violence in Syria is reaching the tightly controlled capital, which has been relatively quiet compared to other cities. story
Satellite spots tanks in Syrian city
Satellite image provider DigitalGlobe Inc. released photos Friday that appear to show Syrian army tanks and other armored vehicles in the city of Homs. story
Hezbollah may bombard Israel to distract attention from Syria
Hezbollah may fire missiles at Israel to distract attention from events in Syria, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned ambassadors of the 15 member states of the U.N. Security Council in New York on Thursday. “We hope this will not happen, but Israel will be prepared for this possibility,“ Lieberman told the ambassadors. story
Report: Iran adds two submarines to its fleet
This class of submarine can fire missiles and torpedoes and operate in the Gulf's shallow waters. story
Iran vows to back Palestinian resistance
Iran pledged Friday to back Palestinian resistance against Israel, saying "soon the Zionist regime will be punished for its plots and aggression," AFP reported Iran's first vice-president Mohammad Reza Rahimi as saying. story
As US and Israel dicker over Iran strike, American airlifts strength to the Gulf
As the US and Israel carried on bickering over the right time to strike Iran's nuclear sites, their war preparations continued apace. DEBKAfile's military sources report that flight after flight of US warplanes and transports were to be seen this week cutting eastward through the skies of Sinai on their way to Gulf destinations, presumably Saudi Arabia, at a frequency not seen in the Middle East for many years. story
Successful US-Israel radar test launches US missile shield's operational phase
A successful joint exercise carried out Friday, Feb. 10, demonstrated the interoperability of the US Aegis and Israel's Arrow 4 ballistic missile defense systems and, most importantly, of their two radars, the US AN/TPY-2 X-band and Israel's EL/M-2080 Super Green Pine,DEBKAfile's military sources report. story
February 9, 2012
Opposition figures claim government stockpiling chemical weapons and distributing gas masks to soldiers near Homs; 130 people reportedly killed on Thursday as government intensifies crackdown. story
'Iran must attack Israel by 2014'
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's strategist provided the legal and religious justification for the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people, in a document published on conservative Farsi website Alef. The document, written by strategy specialist Alireza Forghani, outlined the reasons why, "In the name of Allah, Iran must attack Israel by 2014." story
Hamas's Gaza-based leadership challenges Palestinian unity deal
Ismail Haniyeh and Mahmoud al-Zahar come out against key clause in Fatah-Hamas reconciliation deal in which Abbas would serve as both president and prime minister of future Palestinian government. story
EU concerned about potential instability in Jordan
With all eyes on violence in Syria, some EU countries are becoming increasingly concerned about the risk of instability in Jordan. story
February 8, 2012
First foreign troops in Syria back Homs rebels. Damascus and Moscow at odds
British and Qatari special operations units are operating with rebel forces under cover in the Syrian city of Homs just 162 kilometers from Damascus, according to DEBKAfile’s exclusive military and intelligence sources. story
Israel: We will act to prevent Syria's chemical weapons from reaching Hezbollah
Israel's defense establishment has indicated it is prepared to take action should Syria's vast store of unconventional weapons fall into the hands of Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. story
Iran: U.S., Israel highly vulnerable to retaliatory strikes
Iran's Press TV reported that Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, the deputy head of Iran's armed forces joint chiefs of staff, asserted that the U.S. and Israel are in no position to carry out military action against Iran due to their vulnerability to counterstrikes. story
'Hezbollah will choose response to strike on Iran'
Nasrallah says Tehran will not dictate to Hezbollah how to react to Israeli strike on nuclear facilities. story
No way of stopping leak of deadly new flu, says terror chief
US biosecurity board expert warns against details of H5N1 bird flu getting into wrong hands. story
Fast-Spreading Animal Virus Leaps Europe, UK Borders
A newly identified disease is moving rapidly through livestock in Europe and has authorities both worried and puzzled. story
Greece: 'There's no more left to cut'
Thousands of Greeks protest over the 'asphyxiating pressure' from foreign creditors. story
February 7, 2012
Syria raises specter of proxy conflict for U.S., Russia
As the Obama administration weighs worst-case scenarios for Syria, one stands out: a civil war that develops into a proxy battle between Arabs and the West on one side, and Russia and Iran on the other. story
Iran to deploy 15,000 troops to help Syria’s Assad
The Al Arabiya news channel reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has deployed 15,000 armed troops to Syria recently in order to help Syrian President Bashar Assad in his fight against opposition forces. story
Israel embassies preparing for Iran strike?
Diplomats stationed in Israel request gas masks, prepare contingency plans in case of missile attacks; envoys fear that thousands of dual-citizenship Israelis will seek evacuation. story
February 6, 2012
AYATOLLAH: KILL ALL JEWS, ANNIHILATE ISRAEL
Iran lays out legal case for genocidal attack against 'cancerous tumor' including wiping out Israeli assets and Jewish people worldwide. story
Obama: Diplomacy 'preferred solution' with Iran
Israel is right to be concerned about Iran's push to join the league of nations that possess nuclear weapons, but diplomacy - not military intervention - remains the "preferred solution" to averting a potential arms race in the Middle East, President Barack Obama said Sunday. story
Netanyahu: Only Strength Guarantees Security
“In such a region, the only thing that ensures our existence, security and prosperity is our strength,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet inJerusalem in remarks broadcast on Israel Radio. “We are obligated to continue to develop the military, economic and social strength of the state of Israel.” story
Europe’s banks face challenge on capital
The European Banking Authority is to challenge a significant proportion of the capital restructuring plans put forward by the continent’s leading banks to meet tough new capital requirements, say three people familiar with the process. story
Greece takes step closer to default
Lucas Papademos, the Greek premier, failed to make party leaders accept harsh terms in return for a second €130bn bail-out, pushing Athens closer to a disorderly default as early as next month. story
February 5, 2012
Israeli official implies strike on Iran nukes program is near
Current standoff is similar to the 'fateful' period before 1967 Arab-Israel war. story
Report: Israel's attack on Iran to use missiles, planes, elite troops
Amid speculation that Israel intends to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, NBC news reports that such a strike would include Jericho missiles, F-15 combat aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and ground forces. story
February 4, 2012
Iran mass producing anti-ship cruise missile
The Zafar missile, as it is dubbed in the report, "is a short-range, anti-ship cruise missile capable of destroying small- and medium-sized targets with high precision." story
Iranian warships dock at Saudi port
Iranian naval ships docked on Saturday in the Saudi port city of Jeddah on a mission to project the Islamic republic's "power on the open seas," the Fars news agency reported. story
Americans talk about an Israeli strike on Iran, but prepare own offensive
American, Saudi, British, French and Gulf states' preparations going forward for an offensive against the Islamic Republic. story
Iran begins naval exercises near Gulf strait
Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard begins naval maneuvers day after country's supreme leader warns US, Israel against attack. story
February 3, 2012
Israel: Iran's nuclear arms program is complete, its missiles can reach U.S.
Iran was working on developing a missile with 10,000 km range that would put America in reach of a potential Iranian attack, Strategic Affairs Minister and Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon said Thursday. story
Ahmadinejad calls for new world order
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for a new world order of justice-seeking nations, to replace the existing Western-dominated liberal status quo. story
Khamenei: Zionist regime is a cancer
Tehran's supreme leader promises Iranian people the world will soon be rid of 'cancerous Zionist regime'; says Iran will help anyone fighting Israel. story
Germany's Power 'Is Causing Fear' in Europe
The EU summit on Monday was overshadowed by a new upsurge in fears of German domination following reports over the weekend that Berlin was proposingdispatching an EU commissioner to Athens to seize control of the Greek budget. story
February 2, 2012
Israel Vice PM: Military strike can hit all of Iran's nuclear facilities
Speaking at Herzliya Conference, Moshe Ya’alon calls the possibility of a nuclear Iran a 'nightmare to the free world,' says explosion at Iranian missile base targeted missile system that would have threatened the U.S. story
Ahmadinejad wants to double Iran's defense budget
Iranian president presents parliament with proposal to increase defense budget by 127%. Critics claim bid ignores economic pressure posed by international sanctions. story
MI chief: Iran can produce 4 bombs
"Iran has enough nuclear material for four bombs," Director of Military Intelligence Major General Arab Spring and the Iranian threat. story
Is Israel preparing to attack Iran?
US defense secretary estimates Israel likely to strike Iran between April and June – before it reaches 'zone of immunity' in development of nuclear bomb, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius says. story
February 1, 2012
Iran Marks 33rd Anniversary of Islamic Revolution
The ten-day celebration of the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution began in Iran on Wednesday as thousands of Iranians brought flowers to the mausoleum of the republic’s founder. story
Israeli presence necessary in Jordan Valley
Israel will only sign an agreement with the Palestinians if it includes an Israeli security presence in the Jordan Valley, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Monday. story
Assad may start regional war if UN tells him to step down – Gulf sources
In confidential conversations with his advisers, Syrian President Bashar Assad is reported by Persian Gulf sources Tuesday, Jan. 31 to have threatened to start up armed hostilities in the region if the UN Security Council Tuesday night endorses the Arab League proposal for him to step down and hand power to his deputy. story
January 31, 2012
Why Are the Chinese Buying Record Quantities of Gold?
Analysts believe China bought as much as 490 tons of gold in 2011, double the estimated 245 tons in 2010. “The thing that’s caught people’s minds is the massive increase in Chinese buying,” remarked Ross Norman of Sharps Pixley, a London gold brokerage, this month. story
UN resolution could spur Syria civil war, Russia warns
The Western-Arab drive to adopt a UN resolution on Syria is a "path to civil war", Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov has warned. story
January 30, 2012
Turkey may replace Iran as Hamas' financier
Israeli daily Haaretz quoted Turkish sources on Saturday that stated Gazan Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh conveyed his party's financial difficulties to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his first visit to Turkey and that Turkey is seriously considering funding Hamas, a party Israel and the US list as a terrorist organization. story
Brotherhood would cancel Camp David Agreement, says Hezbollah official
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood will eventually cancel the Camp David Agreement, despite the group’s announcement that it respects international agreements Egypt has signed, said Amin al-Sayed Ibrahim, head of Hezbollah’s political council. story
January 29, 2012
In Case You Still Don't Get It, Here's Why A Greek Default Should Put Fear In Your Heart
Economists and investors see a Greek default as the biggest test of the world financial system since the crisis that followed the collapse of Lehman Brothers investment house in 2008. story
Greek fury at plan for EU budget control
Greece’s finance minister angrily rejected a German plan for the eurozone to impose a budget overseer onto Athens in return for a new €130bn bail-out, saying it would improperly force his country to choose between “financial assistance” and “national dignity”. story
January 27, 2012
Stakelbeck on Terror: Prophecy Unfolding in the Middle East
Latest News on Egyptian Crisis
Muslim Brotherhood spokesperson Mahmoud Ghezlan told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the militant group will neither speak nor meet with Israeli officials. story
U.S. outrage as Egypt bars Americans from leaving
Six Americans working for publicly funded U.S. organizations promoting democracy in Egypt have been barred from leaving the country. story
Israeli author Zvika Amit describes a coup d’état by national-religious extremists in his novel Code Blue.
Some top security experts believe Amit’s scenario of a coup is plausible, including Danny Yatom, an ex-general and former head of the Mossad spy agency. story
Israeli belief in God on the rise
Even as Israel becomes increasingly liberal (see recent report on Tel Aviv being rated top gay travel destination), it is also becoming increasingly religious, or, perhaps more accurately, increasingly God-fearing. story
General Dempsey: US, Israel view Iran threat very differently
US army chief says Washington determined to prevent nuclear Iran, 'but that doesn't mean dropping bombs necessarily'. story
January 26, 2012
Palestinians: Peace negotiations with Israel have ended
Last-minute efforts are underway to head off the talks' collapse, but the prospects seem slim. story
Iran threatens to act first on EU embargo
Emad Hosseini, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s energy committee, said lawmakers in Tehran were finalising a draft bill to stop all oil trade with Europe. story
Angela Merkel casts doubt on saving Greece from financial meltdown
Angela Merkel has cast doubt for the first time on Europe's chances of saving Greece from financial meltdown and sovereign default, conceding that Europe's first ever multibillion euro bailout coupled with savage austerity was not working after a two-year crisis that has brought the single currency to the brink of unravelling. story
Portuguese bonds hit as traders fear default
Friday the 13th may be an unlucky omen for Portugal. On that day, almost two weeks ago, Standard & Poor’s became the last rating agency to downgrade Lisbon to junk, marking the moment for many investors when default looked inevitable for Portugal as well as Greece. story
Soros: euro crisis might wreck EU
George Soros says Europe did too little, too late, and Nouriel Roubini says Europe needs 'less austerity and more growth'. story
Federal Mortgage Insurer Headed Toward Collapse
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is deeply insolvent and headed toward a financial crash like that of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in 2008, according to analysis from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) released last week. story
January 26, 2012
Jerusalem concerned: Saudi Air Force to outnumber Israel's advanced US jet fleet
With its latest acquisitions from Washington and Europe, the Saudi Air Force will have more fighter-bombers of more advanced models that the Israeli Air Force. story
January 25, 2012
IRAN PREPARING NOW FOR ARMAGEDDON
Khamenei has been heard to say that the coming of the last Islamic Messiah, the Shiites’ 12th Imam Mahdi, is near and that specific actions need to be taken to protect the Islamic regime for upcoming events. story
Israel to UN: Tomorrow will be too late for action against Iran
"The Arab world is in flames and the Security Council is dealing with construction permits in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank)," Israel's United Nations envoy Ron Prossor said in a speech at the UN Security Council on Tuesday. story
Europe's debt crisis could tip the world economy into recession
"The epicenter of the danger is Europe but the rest of the world is increasingly affected," IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard said at a news conference. "There is an even greater danger, namely that the European crisis intensifies, and in this case the world could be plunged into another recession." story
January 23, 2012
Iran 'definitely' closing Strait of Hormuz over EU oil embargo
Tensions in the Gulf could reach a breaking point as a senior Iranian official said Iran would “definitely” close the Strait of Hormuz if an EU oil embargo disrupted the export of crude oil, the semi-official Fars news agency reports. story
EU agrees Iranian oil embargo
Foreign ministers' deal in Brussels could lead to soaring fuel prices and Iran closing the strait of Hormuz. story
Report: Russia to deliver combat jets to Syria
Business daily Kommersant cites source close to Russia's Rosoboronexport state arms trader, that $550-million deal envisages delivery of 36 Yak-130 aircraft. story
January 22, 2012
Netanyahu: Israel must prevent the elimination of the Jewish people
On 70th anniversary of Wannsee Conference, PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that the will to destroy the Jewish people has not changed. story
January 21, 2012
Turkey intercepts material for missiles, chemical weapons on Iranian trucks
The Turkish newspaper “Taraf” reported that Turkish authorities, who stopped the trucks two weeks ago at customs, had found material on board the trucks which could be used for manufacturing missiles and chemical weapons. story
January 20, 2012
Iran calls for Israel to be "punished"
An ally of Iran's supreme leader called on Friday for Israel to be "punished" for killing a nuclear scientist and the top U.S. general urged his Israeli ally to coordinate with Washington as crisis builds in the Middle East. story
IMF warns of threat to global economies posed by austerity drives
International Monetary Fund and 10 other economic bodies make 'call to action' to boost growth and curb protectionism. story
January 19, 2012
IDF exposes Syria-funded Islamic Jihad terror cell in West Bank
Israeli security forces arrest 10 militants near Jenin, who were allegedly planning attacks on IDF soldiers and received money from Islamic Jihad in Syria. story
Turkey, Iran eye closer financial ties
Countries wish to increase financial transfers, double bilateral trade by 2015, as EU nations agree to sanctions on Iran's central bank. story
Iran ups ante with warning to region against siding with US
Iran's foreign minister warned Arab neighbors on Thursday not to put themselves in a "dangerous position" by aligning themselves too closely with the United States in the escalating dispute over Tehran's nuclear activity. story
January 17, 2012
Syrian 'chemical, biological' weapons concern Israel
IDF's planning division head says chemical, biological weapons still flowing into Syria, wonders 'what will be transferred to Hezbollah?' story
Turkey says Russian ship delivered 60 tons of ‘dangerous cargo' to Syria
Turkey has confirmed that a Russian ship suspected of delivering munitions to Syria in violation of an EU arms embargo after an unscheduled stop in Greek Cyprus docked at Turkey's coast on Monday after offloading nearly 60 tons of what it called “dangerous cargo.” story
Time running out for two-state solution
British Premier Cameron warns Road Map may not prove sustainable if negotiations deadlock continues. story
Central bank independence at risk from financial crisis, warns UBS
The potential for losses from the banking system to wipe out all or much of the capital of central banks could see the end of independence for monetary authorities, according to UBS. story
January 16, 2012
Egypt's next parliament to be led by Islamist
Liberals and Islamists in Egypt announced a temporary agreement Monday on a power-sharing plan that would install a Muslim Brotherhood leader as speaker of the country’s newly elected parliament. story
Israel raises alarm over Sinai-Gaza cooperation
"Libyan arms continue to flow into Gaza through Sinai," he said, indicating that there were "more than 10,000 missiles" in the coastal enclave, some of which had a range "surpassing 40 kilometres (24 miles)." story
S&P downgrades euro zone rescue fund, Greece pressured
U.S. rating agency Standard & Poor's cut its credit rating of the euro zone's EFSF rescue fund on Monday, and Greece was under pressure to break a deadlock in debt swap talks if it is to avoid an unruly default. story
IRAN CLOSER TO BOMB THAN WORLD REALIZES?
A report that Iran is about a year away from having the capability to build a nuclear bomb may be too optimistic, contended John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. story
Iran violating arms embargo with shipments to Syria: France
Iran warned Gulf Arab oil producers against boosting production to offset any potential drop in Tehran's crude exports in the event of an embargo affecting its oil sales, the latest salvo in the dispute between the West and the Islamic Republic over its nuclear program. story
Russia: Attack on Tehran is Attack on Moscow
“Iran is our neighbor,” Russia's outgoing ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, told reporters in Brussels. “And if Iran is involved in any military action, it’s a direct threat to our security.” story
Euro Leaders Race to Salvage Rescue Plans
European leaders will this week try to rescue under-fire efforts to deliver new fiscal rules and cut Greece’s debt burden as investors ignore Standard & Poor’s euro- region downgrades. story
After the downgrades comes the downward spiral
The eurozone has fallen into a spiral of downgrades, falling economic output, rising debt and further downgrades. A recession has just started. Greece is now likely to default on most of its debts and may even have to leave the eurozone. When that happens, the spotlight will fall immediately on Portugal, and the next contagious round of downgrades will begin. story
January 15, 2012
Hezbollah rejects UN chief's call to disarm
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expresses 'deep concern' about the Shiite group's military arsenal; Hassan Nasrallah says armed resistance to continue. story
January 14, 2012
PA Sermon in the West Bank: "Every Evil and Catastrophe" in the Whole World "Is Caused by the Jews"
US acts to hold Israel back from striking Iran. Their intel agencies at odds
Washington is increasingly concerned, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, that Israel is preparing to strike Iran's nuclear sites over US objections and has bolstered the defenses of US facilities in the region in case of a conflict. story
S&P cuts credit ratings of 9 EU countries
Rating agency downgrades rating score of France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia. story
January 13, 2012
Putin ally fears Israel is pushing US toward war with Iran
Former Russian intelligence official Nikolai Patrushev says West is pressuring Syria because it refuses to sever ties with Iran, not because it is repressing the opposition. Adds that Turkey may play a key role in toppling the Assad regime. story
Iran calls for retaliation against Israel over nuclear scientist's killing
Iranian leaders and media continued to blame Israel and the U.S. for assassinating another of its nuclear scientists this week, vowing both to press ahead with its nuclear program and to punish those responsible for the killing – calling, specifically, for retaliation against Israel. story
January 12, 2012
Hezbollah, Iran providing weaponry to Assad
Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi says "radical axis" becoming more actively involved in Assad's violent crackdown. story
Turkey halts Iranian arms corridor to Syria, balks at nuclear Iran
When IDF Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi accused Iran and Hizballah Wednesday, Jan. 11of directly helping Bashar Assad repress the uprising against him with arms, Turkey had just taken a stand against the Iranian corridor running weapons to Syria via its territory, DEBKAfile's military sources report. story
Doomsday Clock moves one minute closer to midnight
The Doomsday Clock, a symbolic gauge of nuclear danger, has moved one minute closer to midnight because of "inadequate progress" on nuclear and climate issues. story
Dollar power on the wane, new reserve system likely : Stiglitz
The days of the US dollar as a global currency, with its overarching charisma as a brand to measure everything from hamburger prices to trade between remote nations could be on the wane, says Nobel-prize winning Joseph Stiglitz. story
Fitch warns of 'cataclysmic' euro collapse
The European Central Bank should ramp up its buying of troubled euro zone debt to support Italy and prevent a "cataclysmic" collapse of the euro, David Riley, the head of sovereign ratings for Fitch, has warned. story
January 11, 2012
Abbas: Peace talks important, but chance for success slim
After meeting King Abdullah in Jordan, Palestinian leader says 'any chance must be taken advantage of, no matter how weak hopes are'. story
Iran plans one-kiloton underground nuclear test in 2012
According toDEBKAfile's Iranian sources, Tehran is preparing an underground test of a one-kiloton nuclear device during 2012, much like the test carried out by North Korea in 2006. story
Iran's Game of Threats is About to Backfire
Iran's threat to close the narrow Strait of Hormuz has drawn the attention of military forces around the world and ignited a buildup that could endanger the region. story
Euro crisis puts continent's future in doubt, warns Fiat boss
Europe is "playing with fire" and its future is in doubt if it doesn't "get serious," the boss of the Italian car giant Fiat has warned, as ratings agency Fitch put Italy on notice of a credit downgrade. story
US senators warn Ashton on risk of Iran war
"Iran's nuclear program is moving forward - sharply increasing the risks of either a military confrontation or other countries in the Middle East pursuing their own nuclear arsenals," eight cross-party senators said in a letter sent to the EU's top diplomat on Tuesday. story
January 9, 2012
Iran begins uranium enrichment at underground site
Newspaper close to Iran regime, the Kayhan daily, reports that Iran has begun enriching uranium at sophisticated centrifuges at the Fordow site near the holy city of Qom. story
Russian naval force arrives at Syria port in 'show of solidarity'
Russian visit comes as Arab League scheduled to meet in Cairo to assess the performance of the a widely criticized observer mission; Syria activists say clashes between soldiers, defectors leave 11 dead. story
Russian, French warships off Syria, Iran, US drones over Iranian coast
US, Russian French and British air and naval forces streamed to the Syrian and Iranian coasts over the weekend on guard for fresh developments at the two Middle East flashpoints. story
Deployment of thousands of U.S. troops in Israel, a start of war against Iran?
The Middle East roils in crisis as a U.S. aircraft carrier entered one of the world’s most important choke point for oil shipments, the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to close if the United States raises sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The deployment of thousands of U.S. troops in Israel has raised speculation of an imminent war. story
January 7, 2012
Hamas Official: Jordan's King Abdullah Will End Like Mubarak
A Hamas official slams Jordan's King Abdullah for hosting the talks between Israeli and PA envoys this week. story
Britain dispatches advanced warship to Persian Gulf
Daily Telegraph reports that deployment of the HMS Daring is intended to send a message to Iran following its recent 10-day exercise in the Gulf and threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. story
Muslim Brotherhood: We did not promise to honor Israel peace treaty
Egyptian Islamist movement denies US State Department claim it had promised to honor 1979 peace deal. 'No one has the right to speak for Egyptian people,' party official says. story
January 6, 2012
Attacks on Iran won't be allowed from Turkey
Turkish FM Davutoglu dispels rumors of tension between the countries stemming from NATO missile shield in Turkey. story
U.S.: Muslim Brotherhood gave assurances on Egypt-Israel peace treaty
State Department comment comes amid remarks by leaders of Egyptian Islamist party, according to which the 1979 treaty does not bind Egypt's new regime. story
End of Arab Christianity
Welcome to a Christians-free Middle East. Arab Christianity is near its extinction everywhere. “Christianity in Iraq could be eradicated in our lifetime, partially as a result of the US troop withdrawal,” declared Leonard Leo, chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. story
Euro plunges on fears of banking crisis
Currency falls to 16-month low against sterling as Italy's UniCredit spells out risk of eurozone collapse. story
January 5, 2012
Saudis, Gulf states on war alert for early US-Iran clash
The armies of Saudi Arabia and fellow Gulf Cooperation Council states stood ready Thursday Jan. 5, for Washington to stand up to Iranian threats and send an aircraft carrier or several warships through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf. story
Greek prime minister warns of March default
Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has said Greece may default on its debts in March unless unions accept further cuts to salaries. story
January 4, 2012
Israel-Egypt peace appears to be nearing its end
Egypt's new dominant political force, the Muslim Brotherhood, vowed this week to increase Cairo's hostility toward Israel and possibly even cancel the Camp David Accords. story
Israeli drone over Turkish-Syrian border. Battles in Syrian-Jordanian-Israeli border triangle
Military tensions are building up on Syria's borders. Wednesday, Jan. 4, Turkish military sources reported sighting an Israeli Eitan (Heron) drone in the sky above the Turkish Hawk Brigade 14 stationed on the northern Syrian border at Kirikhan in the Hatay district of southern Turkey. The Israeli drone was said to have hovered over the encampment for four hours. story
Ahmadinejad: Israel's attempts to 'Judaize' Jerusalem will bring about its end
Iranian President says 'Zionists feign piety' in regard to Jerusalem in order to strip it of its Islamic identity, claims Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the most important issue in the world. story
Islamist terror group giving Christians living in north Nigeria days to flee
President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the north, and sent two brigades of soldiers to towns that have been targeted by Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is a sin." story
Israel: Obama 'naive' on Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood
Israel's National Security Council determined during an emergency meeting last week that US President Barack Obama is "naive" when it comes to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and the dangers it poses. story
Sarkozy accuses Syrian regime of ‘massacres’
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has issued a new call for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down because of massacres by his regime, and an Arab League official said the group will discuss withdrawing an observer mission to the country due to the ongoing bloodshed. story
January 3, 2012
Iran threatens to take action if U.S. carrier returns to Persian Gulf
Army chief says Tehran will not issue warning to Americans more than once, after Iran monitored U.S. aircraft carrier near a strategic waterway in the Gulf. story
IDF predicts missile attacks on Jerusalem in future war
Capital was previously believed to be safe due to its holy sites, large Arab population; city councilor says Jerusalem municipality is aware of new relevant scenarios, planning on clearing new bomb shelters. story
Austerity Reigns Over Euro Zone as Crisis Deepens
Europe’s leaders braced their nations for a turbulent year, with their beleaguered economies facing a threat on two fronts: widening deficits that force more borrowing but increasing austerity measures that put growth further out of reach. story
Biggest Economies Face $7.6 Trillion Bond Tab
Led by Japan’s $3 trillion and the U.S.’s $2.8 trillion, the amount coming due for the Group of Seven nations and Brazil, Russia, India and China is up from $7.4 trillion at this time last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Ten-year bond yields will be higher by year-end for at least seven of the countries, forecasts show. story
January 2, 2012
Erdogan to Haniyeh: Talks must include Hamas
Turkish prime minister hosts Hamas leader in Istanbul, says conflict cannot be resolved as long as Palestinian faction excluded from negotiations. story
Iran test-fires long range missiles
On backdrop of growing tensions in Strait of Hormuz and as naval war games draw to a close, Iran's Navy test 200km-range Qader, Nour missiles. story
Italian president urges sacrifices to save economy
"Sacrifices are necessary to ensure the future of young people, it's our objective and a commitment we cannot avoid," he said in a New Year's speech to the nation. story
France's future hangs in balance in 2012
French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned on Saturday that the country's future hung in the balance in 2012 amid the eurozone debt crisis but said ratings agencies would not decide French policy. story
Greeks must avert economic collapse, euro exit
Prime Minister Lucas Papademos on Saturday warned Greeks of another difficult year ahead as it battles to avert economic collapse and an exit from the single European currency. story
January 1, 2012
Muslim Brotherhood vows not to recognize Israel
Egyptian party's deputy leader tells 'al-Hayat' that they won't negotiate with Israel, will seek to cancel peace treaty. story
Interpol chief - close EU border loophole or risk attack
Alarm raised over gap in European passport security that could 'lead to another September 11'. story
Iran says it's produced first nuclear fuel rod
Islamic Republic's atomic energy agency says rod already inserted into core of Tehran's research nuclear reactor. Meanwhile, navy test-fires medium-range surface-to-air missile during Persian Gulf drill. story
Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood: Fate of Israel peace treaty may be decided in referendum
Deputy chief of Egypt's largest party says the 'people must have their say,' rejects possibility that Muslim Brotherhood will recognize Israel. story
