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The A-O Report's

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Mideast News Spotlight

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For March 14, 2010

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Editor's Note: See additional coverage this work under our special coverage on the developing diplomatic rift between the U.S. and Israel. We've posted all of our material on this issue on that special page instead of this page. LINK HERE. Consequently this page will seem to have less news than normal. Much of the Mideast is sitting back now trying to figure out what's going on, so things have become somewhat quiet this past week in the Mideast as a result.

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On the eve of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's arrival in Israel, the Israeli government announced approval of 1,600 new homes in the disputed region of East Jerusalem. The White House was quick to denounce the move in hopes that the Palestians would not balk at plans for indirect peace talks with Israel. The U.S. denouncement failed in its purpose.

Israel's Interior Ministry approved the building of 1,600 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo, with a ministry official saying the plan will expand the ultra-Orthodox East Jerusalem neighborhood to the east and to the south.

The Palestinian Authority responded to the announcement stating that Israel's decision to approve new East Jerusalem houses effectively prevents any peace negotiations from taking place. More on this story that appears to be a deal-breaker for peace talks - LINK HERE. More on the entire rift between the USA and Israel - LINK HERE to an A-O Special Report. Still more analysis with the new edition of The A-O Intelligence Digest for 3-15-10.

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US Defense Secretary Robert Gates made a sudden emergency trip to Saudi Arabia, cutting short a visit to Afghanistan. The reason for the trip was to explain to Saudi Arabia what was going on between the US and Israel concerning a rift between the two nations at a time when Iran is on the verge of producing a nuclear weapon.

The meeting in Riyadh with King Abdullah was not a pleasant one for the US defense chief. For confirmation of the trip, LINK HERE.  The A-O Intelligence Digest will have additional details on the meeting as it related to not only Iran but also to what is perceived to be a developing rift between Israel and the United States.

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Israel Closes West Bank


Fear of Riots

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Israel on Saturday extended a lockdown on the occupied West Bank and restricted access to the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem as tensions soared over its latest settlement plans.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak extended until Tuesday at midnight the lockdown on the West Bank, which was due to end Saturday night, because of a continued risk of attacks, an armed forces spokesman said.

Israel sealed off the West Bank on Friday after the announcement that it planned to build new homes for Jewish settlers in mainly Arab east Jerusalem sparked a row with Washington and fuelled anger in the Palestinian territories.

More details, LINK HERE.

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Iran President Says:

Even War Cannot Save Israel

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned Israel that initiating a new military conflict in the Middle East would not save it from downfall.

Speaking in the southern Iranian Province of Hormozagan on Thursday, Ahmadinejad said that Israel was a Western prodigy that had now "reached the end of its road."

"See what has become of Israel. They [the West] gathered the most criminal people in the world and stationed them in our region with lies and fabricated scenarios. They waged wars, committed massive aggression… and made millions of people homeless," he told a crowd of supporters in the provincial capital, Bandar-Abbas.

"Today, it is clear that Israel is the most hated regime in the world… It is not useful for its masters [the West] anymore. They are in doubt now. They wonder whether to continue spending money on this regime or not," said Ahmadinejad.

"But whether they want it or not, with god's grace, this regime will be annihilated and Palestinians and other regional nations will be rid of its bad omen," he added.

The top Iranian executive official pointed out that he did not believe that "even a new military conflict" could save the Israeli regime.

"They think in their underdeveloped minds that if they launch another war against Lebanon or Syria it might help them survive a little longer. I am telling them that you are in a situation now that more aggressions or wars will not save you."

Ahmadinejad also advised the US and its allies to pull their troops out of the Middle East and stop "making mischief."

"What are you doing in our region? Why are you deploying military forces here," he asked.

"If you think military deployment will help you seize the oil in Iraq and in the Persian Gulf, I must tell you that the young generation of the Middle East will cut your hands off from the oil reserves of the Persian Gulf," he added.

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Iran gives commercial pilots two months to leave country as tension mounts over S-300 missile deal LINK HERE.

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