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The Alpha-Omega Report Presents:

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The Middle East News Spotlight

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For June 21, 2010

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Showdown Looms in the Mideast

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Editor's Note: We're highlighting this week's spotlight with the headline about a showdown as Western navies move in to position with Israel to challenge Iran, Turkey and Lebanese efforts to break Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. This page remains as the Spotlight page with emphasis on a potential military showdown looming in the region. As we go to posting, we're getting unconfirmed reports of as many as 4 additional super-carrier battle groups steaming towards the Middle East.

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We have 2 additional such carrier groups now in the region along with 2 amphibious carrier groups. Conditions are in s state of flux, suggesting that our website may move to a "YELLOW ALERT" status and prepare for continuous coverage in a RED ALERT - WAR. - There are rumors floating in Washington that the US military has gone on to "War Alert" or "Battle Ready" status. We cannot confirm at this time - we do understand that Debkafile from Israel is making such claims.

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We'll have more details and analysis on this in our next edition of The A-O Intelligence Digest - available only for donors to the website in our A-O Insider Report section of this website. If you're not a donor, you should be, so you can stay informed not only with Mainstream news coverage but also behind the scenes "intelligence" chatter and insider information coming out of Washington, Tel Aviv and other world capitals from our intelligence resources at A-O. .

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Reports from Egypt indicate an 11 warship batle group from the US Navy along with an Israeli warship have passed through the Suez Canal and into the Red Sea apparently heading for an intercept mission against two Iranian freighters (flying the Islamic Red Crescent banner) bound for Gaza with 'humanitarian aid.'

Various Middle East nwes outlets, including Israel's YNet News and Israeli Radio's website: "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News" report that the US Navy's aircraft carrier, the USS Harry Truman, along with its 11 warship battle group and an Israeli warship sailed through the Suez Canal with the permission of the Egyptian government last Friday.

According to a London-based Arabic newspaper, their report included a statement from retired Egyptian General Amin Radi, chairman of the national security affairs committee. He told the paper that "the decision to declare war on Iran is not easy, and Israel, due to its wild nature, may start a war just to remain the sole nuclear power in the region.

The clearance for the American-Israeli fleet may be a warning to Iran it may face military opposition if the Iranian Red Crescent ship continues on course to Gaza.

This show of force by the U.S. and Israel was preceded by a new round of U.N. sanctions against Iran's theocratic government for its alleged nuclear weapons programme , which was passed by a 12-2 vote on June 9, 2010.

Military activity near Iran has never receded. Israeli and US aggression has continually intensified. Last month, The Times of London reported that: "Three German-built Israeli submarines equipped with nuclear cruise missiles are to be deployed in the Gulf near the Iranian coastline."

On June 12, The Times reported: "Saudi Arabia has conducted tests to stand down its air defences to enable Israeli jets to make a bombing raid on Iran's nuclear facilities, The Times can reveal."

For more on this story, read the YNET coverage - LINK HERE.  Additional coverage from the Arutz-Sheva - Israel National News - LINK HERE.

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As a US Navy battle group along with an Israeli and German warship steamed towards the Persian Gulf, Iran announced the postponed sailing time for its two Gaza aid ships. An Iranian spokesman stated that no departure date has been rescheduled and failed to elaborate on the reason for the delay. More details, LINK HERE.

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As a US Naval task force and an Israeli warship sailed through the Suez Canal on Friday (6/18) Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak prepared to fly to Washington and later on the UN in New York.

Barak will meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, as well as with senior lawmakers on Capitol Hill. He will also travel to New York for talks with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, which will mostly focus on the recent flotilla incident as well as Israeli policy vis-a-vis the Gaza Strip.

Shortly after Barak's visit, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to fly to Washington for consulations with President Obama. It would see that with news of a US naval task force sailing through the Suez and a looming confrontation threat from Iran and Turkey that something is in the wind with the US and Israel concerning the Gaza blockade situation.

For more details, LINK HERE.

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Israel's Security Cabinet has agreed to ease blockade restrictions on Gaza although no binding decision was officially reached, according to this Wall Street Journal report. LINK HERE.

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This ship was ready to sail and at the last minute, the Lebanese government cancelled its approval for passage to sea only to apparently change its mind again several hours later. It is believed that Hezbollah is behind the change of orders and is preparing to provide military back up for the ship. Keep in mind that the Turkish Government intends to send a large flotilla to Gaza on June 29. That would coincide with the start of the traditional Jewish 3 week mourning period before the Ninth of Av - the day in history in which the Jewish Temple was twice destroyed by Babylon and later by Rome. For more Lebanese ship details, LINK HERE.

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Last week, US Defense Secretary Gates warned that Iran posed a tremendous missile threat to Europe. Iran, facing the arrival of a US naval battle group that has sailed through the Suex Canal has responded with a denial that is would ever threaten Europe by launching hundreds of missiles into that continent. More details, LINK HERE.

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Iran's top lawmaker warned last week that if Iranian ships or planes are inspected per UN Security Council resolutions, Iran will retaliate and inspect planes or ships of that nation in the Persian Gulf. More details, LINK HERE.

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