War Tensions Mount in Mideast & Asia
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Special A-O Coverage
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War Tensions Mount
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In Both Mideast & Asia
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Israeli War Games Raise Tension
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N. Korea Threatens S. Korea
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After Nuke & Missile Tests
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Israel To Launch Massive
War Games Exercises
For 5 Days Starting May 31
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Israel will launch a nationwide military readiness drill next Sunday simulating an all-out regional war in addition to an uprising by Palestinians in the interior of the country.
The ominously-named "Turning Point 3" exercise has alarmed Israel’s neighbors, who are concerned that it could be a cover for the start of an actual war. Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah said as much in an address he gave last week.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to reassure neighboring Arab states during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, saying “this is a routine drill, which was planned several months ago and is held every year in order to coordinate between civil and military systems," according to the Ynet news agency.
The five-day exercise will simulate a war in Gaza that expands into an all-out regional conflict involving Hizbullah, Syria, and even a domestic uprising by Palestinians living in Israel.
The Israeli military will mobilize as if responding to these scenarios, and the political leadership will also rehearse their response.
The drill imagines a scenario in which, after 60 days of war on Gaza, including a ground offensive, Israel launches a war on Lebanon, provoking rioting in Israel and Palestinian attacks.
This new military exercise comes on the heels of an extensive Israeli Air Force war games exercise that lasted for 3 days. For more details, LINK HERE.
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Israeli Official Says:
Israelis Should Be Prepared
For All-Out War
Israel's Deputy Defense Minister told Israeli lawmakers on Monday, (5-25) that the upcoming war exercises and civil defense drills are not merely an "imaginery situation." The nation will undergo 5 days of war exercises including civil defense drills that will simulate ongoing missile strikes across the nation.
Matan Vilna'i, the Deputy Defense Minister went on to add that the drills not "detached from reality and if there is a war, it's very likely that this is what will happen." The minister was referring to the expectations of ongoing missile bombardments during any future war with say, Iran or Syria in which heavy, ballistic missiles are expected to rain down on the Jewish homeland.
On day 3 of the war exercises, at 11 a.m. sirens will sound throughout Israel and everyone is expected to immediately head to the nearest bomb shelter or protected space. Experts believe that Israelis in northern Israel may have no more than 30 seconds to reach a shelter before missiles land. In Tel Aviv, residents may have a 2 minute lead time to reach shelter before missiles impact.
Even before the exercises, the Israeli government has been promoting the upcoming civil defense drill with TV, radio and newspaper advertising as well as having mailed out flyers with instructions on the upcoming drill. The whole idea is to make sure the Israeli population is ready and prepared for war. This is in anticipation of an eventual war with probably Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas. For more on this story, LINK HERE.
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IDF Preps For "Classic" War
Armored brigade chief:
We're preparing for 'classic' war
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IDF's Top General:
Israel Preparing All Options Against Iran
Israel's top military commander announced Tuesday, May 26 that Israeli forces are preparing for all options against Iran. Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi told Israeli lawmakers that, "Iran continues with its plans. The existence of nuclear weapons in Iran's hands could destabilize the entire Middle East." He further added, "The dialogue between the US and Iran is unlikely to succeed, but this is the preferred course for us too. However, it is my job as army chief to prepare all the options." More details, LINK HERE.
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Iran Warns:
Israel To Ignite "All-Out Regional War"
The Iranian News Agency citing an Israeli newspaper warned that Israel's upcoming military war-games exercises is a sign that Israel is preparing to start an all-out regional war. More details, LINK HERE.
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Hezbollah Suspects Israeli Drills
To Start A Regional War
Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said on Monday that an IDF exercise scheduled to take place at the end of the month could be a sign that Israel is preparing for another war, and added that his organization would be on high alert during the exercise. For the full story, LINK HERE.
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Israel To Demolish Illegal Outposts
In Exchange For US Backing on Iran Strike
Reports are floating around Jerusalem that Israeli PM Netanyahu has agreed to Washington's demands to dismantle illegal settlements in the West Bank, in exchange for US backing of Israeli military actions against Iran. More details, LINK HERE.
Netanyahu told his right-wing Likud faction on Monday that Israel would have to dismantle what it considers illegal outposts, as demanded by Washington, since the issue of Iran was more important, newspaper reports said.
"I identify the danger and that's why I am willing to take unpopular steps such as evacuating outposts. The Iranian threat is above everything," the mass-selling Yediot Aharonot quoted Netanyahu as saying.
"There are things on which you have to compromise."
Since returning to the prime minister's post on March 31, Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Iran's controversial nuclear drive posed the biggest threat to Israel since its creation in 1948. More details, LINK HERE.
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North Korea Tests More Missiles
For the second day in a row, North Korea conducted 2 more missile test launches after earlier tests on Monday that coincided with a North Korean underground nuclear test. More details, LINK HERE. Additional report, LINK HERE.
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N. Korea Threatens S. Korea
Sees New S. Korean Move as an Act of War
In the wake of North Korea's latest A-bomb tests and 2 separate missile tests, South Korea announced it will join a maritime web of more than 90 nations that intercept ships suspected of spreading weapons of mass destruction. North Korea said that the move constitutes an act of war. More details, LINK HERE.
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Japan Debates First-Strike Ability
Against Enemies Like N. Korea
Japanese leaders are debating the idea of ammending the Japanese Constitution to permit Japanese military forces the legal authority to wage a first-strike capability against an enemy nation like North Korea.
The debate has escalated in the last two days since North Korea conducted another underground nuclear test. For more details on the Japanese war agenda, LINK HERE.
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Japan Calls The Current
N. Korea Situation Unacceptable
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