Mideast News Update

9-25-12

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Israeli Security Goes on High Alert

Ahead of the Yom Kippur Holy Day

Israel's military has been put on high alert in advance of the highest holy day, Yom Kippur. Security forces have been deployed and have closed off the West Bank until after the Day of Atonement has ended.

Large numbers of security and military are deployed along Israel's borders as well as around Jerusalem and the West Bank in anticipation of potential problems by neighboring Arabs. Israel still remembers the Yom Kippur War of 1973 when Israel was caught by surprise in a sneak attack by its Arab neighbors.

More details, LINK HERE.

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Massive Bomb Blast in Damascus

Dozens or Hundreds Killed
Including Senior Military Officers

A major bombing has just occured in Damascus on Tuesday (9//25) at a Syrian school building where Syrian military and militia forces were meeting.

It is not yet clear how many were killed although preliminary reports indicated dozens of Syrian officers and soldiers were killed amid reports that hundreds of soldiers were meeting inside the building. Initial reports speculated that as many as 600 people may have been killed or injured.

More details, LINK HERE to Al Arabiya News. Additional Reuter's News report, LINK HERE.

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Obama Downgrades U.S.-Israel Alliance

As the United Nations General Assembly gets underway and leaders from around the world begin to congregate in New York City, President Obama seemingly downgraded Israel’s traditional status as the closest U.S. ally in the Middle East. In a “60 Minutes” interview Sunday night, Obama simply called Israel “one of” America’s closest allies in the region.

Responding to a question about Israel’s request that he explain his “red lines” on the Iranian nuclear program, Obama said, “I am going to block out any noise that’s out there.” He continued, saying that despite the “noise,” he is “in close consultation with the Israelis” because “they’re one of our closest allies in the region.” Full story details, LINK HERE.

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Obama Says:

Murder of U.S. Ambassador And
Mideast Violence Are Just
"Bumps in the Road"

President Obama is downplaying the deteriorating situation in the Middle East. In a television interview with CBS TV News, Obama downplayed the assassination of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and the ongoing waves of Muslim global protests, ignoring the fact that his foreign policy in the region has been shredded. For more on the President's comments, LINK HERE.

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Dangerous & Deepening Divide
Between Islamic World & The West


LINK

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Iran Test-fires New Anti-ship Missiles

Iran announced that it has test-fired 4 missiles designed to hit warships. The test-firing occured during an Iranian naval exercise being conducted along the strategic Strait of Hormuz. More details, LINK HERE.

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