REPUBLICAN REDEFINED » FOREIGN AFFAIRS

President Obama Goes Nuclear on Sarah Palin

T. CHRISTOPHER — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:43:13 +0000

In an interview with ABC’s John Stephanopoulos yesterday, the President addressed criticisms emerging from the Right regarding his newly unveiled nuclear weapons policies. Specifically, he had this to say about the “conservative” starlet Former Governor Palin.

“What I would say to them is, is that if the secretary of defense and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff are comfortable with it, I’m probably going to take my advice from them and not from Sarah Palin.”

Palin hit the President pretty hard this week saying that the President’s policy is akin to “A kid on the play ground saying punch me in the face and I’m not going to retaliate” and she has clearly found her way under his skin. I completely agree with the President that Gov Palin’s nuclear credentials are equal to that of a soda machine repair man, but I think that’s about all the expertise one needs to realize that the President’s policies are both dovish and foolish and a step in a direction that only leaves American lives closer to potential jeopardy… Siding with Sarah Palin on this one. Stupid Stupid Stupid..

Here’s the President’s Response…

Clips From the Sunday Circuit: February 28, 2010

T. CHRISTOPHER — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:21:42 +0000

Here’s another installment in the weekly spin around the Sunday Circuit. In the wake of the “bipartisan health care reform summit” you had to know it would be the topic dejure, and you probably could have guessed at least one elected official certain to grace the Sunday Stage. You guessed… Tweedle Dee (Dumb) was back – and yes I know that I am still calling him by both the new and old name – some habits are just hard to kill. Being “misinformed” about the target of the stimulus is still me laugh, so I’m reluctantly holding on to Tweedle Dee as well. The stars of the summit – Marsha Blackburn, Paul Ryan, Lamar Alexander, and Tom Coburn were out in full force and the White House chose to prance out the health care CZAR for good measure. Meet the Press doesn’t even refer to her by name on its website. I think that should tell you something about the administration’s position on trying to get its message out. Its a done deal folks…

MEET THE PRESS

“I’m glad that it happened… It was a “good forum… I hope its the basis for us to have some serious negotiations.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here’s McCain responding to President Obama’s remarks at the Summit reminding him that the “election was over.” – No surprise here… McCain ducked the question. Greggory’s an ass just for asking it – among other things.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

John McCain on his dramatic move to the “Right” now that its election time. He begins with his position on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Health Care CZAR – so that’s who this is??? btw… She says they will have the votes in Congress… they don’t have them yet, and that the President will have more to say about both this week. Why the hell does he send these people here to say that he will say crap?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

ROUND TABLE RAMBLINGS…

This one was a round table on steroids… not because it was worthwhile or even loaded with substance, but check out how many people they packed around this table… PS… Is anyone else tired of seeing Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz on every program? I can’t wait for health care reform debates to be over just so she can go back to being a nodody…

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

FACE THE NATION

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND), Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Hoyer – “We’re going to move ahead and make sure that all Americans have access to health care…” – will someone please tell me what moving ahead means…

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Kent Conrad – “Reconciliation cannot be used to pass comprehensive health care reform. It wasn’t designed for that. It was designed for deficit reduction.” – It would be used for SIDE CAR ISSUES – not the whole package.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

THIS WEEK WITH….????

Pelosi thinks she’s doing “A” fine job…. Gives herself an “A” for effort

Pelosi has much in common with the Tea Party

Pelosi on Rangel

Lamar Alexander calls health care reform a “kamikaze political mission…”

Round Table

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) follows up on his high points from this week’s health care reform summit. He also addresses the numbers sent forth by the CBO – a point of contention between Ryan and President Obama at the meeting… If you want to hear someone talk the numbers of health care reform… this interview is the one for you.

Fox News Panel discusses Rahm Emanuel’s future and Charlie Rangel’s admonishment.

Conservatives To Debate the “War on Terror”

T. CHRISTOPHER — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:03:50 +0000

I started this blog with the objective of offering an outlet to conservatives and Republicans with an opposing or unconventional point of view. My mission – if I have just one – is to ask the questions of “why” when others are asking only the “what’s” and the “who’s.” On more than one occasion, this has made me a bit of a pain in establishment Republicans and token conservatives backs… and I have loved every minute of that. That’s why we’re here and that’s what we do..

Republican Redefined has now crossed the 600 post threshold (in five months) with this post, and I couldn’t be happier to use number 601 to tell all of you about an upcoming event – series of events – that will provide you with an opportunity to see Right-wingers debating Right-wingers on issues close to all our hearts.

As Republican Redefined has grown, our readership has grown; and so too has our relationships with other blogs/sites. Part of that last aspect of coming to maturity has been directly related to a few sites – all of which will be contributing to this upcoming series. I will post the sites involved below, but I guess I should tell you what the hell I am talking about before I ramble on any further.

Tomorrow, Russ at That’s Right will begin a multi-part debate with the Classic Liberal on the issue of our nation’s “War on Global Terrorism” – or lack thereof – depending on how you see things. The debate will be moderated by Scratcher at Makes My Brain Itch and Steve at Motor City Times. I – as well as a growing list of others – will be offering commentary and a little blog punditry – here and at their respective sites.

I am excited about the prospects of the “forum” – if you will – and think many of you will enjoy it as well. The first round of question and answer will begin tomorrow at noon. I will keep you updated on how the debate is playing out and will direct you to various sites where you can contribute as well. If this first “issue /topic” is a success, we hope to bring you many more in the days and weeks to come. You may even see your old pal T Christopher on the card for the next round if I get my way – I’m lobbying for a Palin-related topic – you all know I’m alone on an island with that one – for now that is. All things in time do pass my conservative friends…. ALL THINGS….

In case you’re wondering…. CL and Russ have decidedly different points of view on this issue. It should be a great first round. Neither of them will pull any punches…

Contributing sites… I’ll update as more chime in…

Clips From The Sunday Circuit: February 14, 2010

T. CHRISTOPHER — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:33:10 +0000

Here’s the weekly spin around the Sunday Circuit. Not a banner week by any stretch of the imagination but the ongoing Cheney v. Biden feud did offer a fair amount of entertainment. Many of the usual crowd, but a few new faces made the circuit as well. A wet behind the ears Congressman, Aaron Schock of Illinois, made his first appearance on Meet the Press and was forced to share the stage with David Brooks, Rachel Maddow, and Former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford. Talk about a miserable group to crack the circuit with…

THIS WEEK

Round Table:

Drone War

FACE THE NATION

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Cheney v. Biden

Watch CBS News Videos Online

MEET THE PRESS

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Round Table: New York Times columnist David Brooks; MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow; chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, former Congressman Harold Ford of Tennessee; and Republican Congressman Aaron Schock of Illinois.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

General Jim Jones – President Obama’s Top National Security Advisor

Iran is NOW a Nuclear State Says Ahmadinejad

T. CHRISTOPHER — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:21:00 +0000

BBC

Was this the “harsh blow to global arrogance?” Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered a speech to the Iranian people today at a celebration of the 31st Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution boasting of its recent nuclear achievements and offering criticisms of the United States and its allies. The Iranian President told the gathered crowd of thousands in Tehran’s Azadi Square (ironically “freedom square”) that the rogue nation is now capable of enriching Uranium to 20% and has the capability to take enrichment to 80% – the minimum level necessary for weapons’ grade material. But calm your troubled heart Israeli people – even though he has promised to wipe you off the map, he said today that they have no intention of forging on to 80% – because “we do not need it.”

Reuters via dailymail

NY TIMES: “I want to announce with a loud voice here that the first package of 20 percent fuel was produced and provided to the scientists,” he said. “In the near future we will treble its production,” Mr. Ahmadinejad said.

He continued: “We have the capability to enrich uranium more than 20 percent or 80 percent,” he said, according to news reports, but added that Iran did not need to do that. His speech was broadcast live on state television.

But don’t get too excited as the always shifty Ahmadinejad then went on to send a message to the perpetrators of “Western Imperialism” that “The Iranian nation is brave enough that if one day we wanted to build nuclear bombs we would announce it publicly without being afraid of you.”

He proudly announced that the “Western wing of Hegemony has come to its end and God-willing in the very near future this anti-human wing will also break. They have claimed and thought that they are the end of history. They said we are at the height of human dignity and sublime nature and that there is nothing more sublime than what they have created for humanity but little did they know that they were approaching the end of their own histories. We decided we were enrich our own fuel to nuclear grade level of 20% and meet our own medicinal needs and I want to announce that two days ago we started the process of creating 20% fuel and I want to inform you that with the Grace of God; with a loud voice; I want to announce that with the Grace of God that the head of Iran’s atomic energy said that the first 20% fuel was produced and given to our scientists. It is our right to be distrustful of them. Now when they said these things. You’ll have until the end of that month or this month. Our response was very clear. We told them that the Iranian nation will never accept your coercive words; your illogical stance. WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF ANY ONE OF YOU.”

Sure sounds like someone’s taken off the gloves. Some odd transitions there and a not so subtle reference to Hegemonic Stability Theory that I am not so sure that he fully grasps, but quite a pointed message offered up by a madman…

Can’t wait to see what our global apologist has to say about this one…

Gateway Pundit has pictures of the scene on the ground. I think its pretty safe to say the Iranians aren’t blaming Bush…

Iranian Regime Celebrates Revolution Day By Parading Effigy of Obama With Pi$ Buckets In Azadi Square

Also check out Memeorandum for more…

Iran Offers A “Punch in the Mouth” and a “Harsh Blow to Global Arrogance”

T. CHRISTOPHER — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:34:52 +0000

Threats of a “harsh blow to global arrogance, talk of enhanced nuclear enrichment, research rockets launched carrying snakes and turtles, a vow from a “spiritual leader” to “punch opposition in the mouth,” prisoner swap offers for innocent American tourists, development of radar-evading drone aircraft, open defiance of UN mandates, sentencing opposition leaders, and celebrating a “revolution” with a February 11th Surprise aimed at the US, Britain, and the “Zionists”… Pretty much a typical start to a month in Iran these days. But have no fear, Hillary Clinton is all over the American Hikers held in captivity story; Defense Secretary Robert Gates is talking more UN sanctions for threats of increased nuclear enrichment, the White House is hitting them hard on human rights violations by teaming with the EU and NATO to issue statements condemning the country’s actions in silencing its critics, and I have no doubt that the President is planning swift and deliberate action if said “surprise” comes in the form of an aggressive act by the Rogue nation…

For a nation that can boast only of its successes in duping this administration and making child’s play of evading any legitimate action by the United Nations, Iran sure knows how to steal some headlines. While I do not intend to make light of any of these stories or the inherent danger that “hides” rather openly behind them, I do wonder if the surge in Iran-related stories is precisely what these wackjobs have in mind. Iran, or perhaps more accurately Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ayatolla Al Khameni have made careers of using similar delay and confuse tactics. Its a simple, yet ingenious strategy if you really look at it objectively. Make news on a variety of “controversial” fronts so that none can receive the lion’s share of the attention. Time and time again, these brilliant madmen have carried out this rouse and arrived at the final destination – “the bargaining table” – in a position of power exponentially greater than is or should be warranted.

A tactic some might even say is at play here in the United States – bury us with so much legislation, spending, and government assumption of control that we lose sight of the bigger picture and rational voices get lost among fighting – or worse – begin to overlook all the little battles we have lost along the way because of the process… ? But I digress. Back to Iran…

Just pick any of these hot button topics, save for the open threats against the West and Israel which everyone seems to willfully be ignoring, and what do you have? A laundry list of diversionary tricks aimed at keeping us off balance while they carry out and carry on with their sinister and defiant plotting.

Take the terribly sad story of the American Hikers being held for “espionage.” What is their real crime and why haven’t they been released? Their real crime – foolishly vacationing on the doorsteps of third-world Hell and not bringing a GPS to keep them out of the fire. Their punishment – remaining in captivity for a seven months of their young lives while Iran places chicken with an administration swerving like its facing a Mack truck rather than a Toyota Prius.

A similarly timid position taken by this administration is what has brought us to this unfortunate stage in “negotiations” with this hostile nation in regards to nuclear enrichment. The Obama express rode into town on the promise of opening a dialog with these infidel assassins, and a dialog he did receive – one that in a year has succeeded only in weakening our position at the negotiation table if we ever really get there. The strange dichotomy of the dueling relationship between President Obama and Ahmadinejad is one that perplexes me daily. Obama supporters would love for us to believe that he is absolutely brilliant – cut from the finest cloth of reason and intellectualism. In the same breath they would like us to believe that this President has Ahmadinejad right where he wants him – exposed as a madman on the cusp of being ousted by his own people. The question that replays over and over in the humble mind between my ears is this… who is really the one being played here and who is the madman? The brilliant ideologue who thought engagement was the proper course for dealing with a “madman” or the madman who has engaged the brilliant Leader of the Free World and played him for a fool?

The other question that keeps me up at night – if in fact I ever added sleeping to my list of goals in any given day – is what is the real end game here? Is Iran’s main goal really acquiring a nuclear arsenal, or is that really just the long term fantasy? I am inclined to believe that Iran does in fact want a nuclear weapon, believes it has the right to one, and thinks it can make one; but… I cannot ignore the fact that even Iran must not really believe that we will let it have one regardless of how weak and apathetic it believes this President to be.

I am a firm believer in never underestimating one’s enemies. With that acknowledgment and the previous statement in mind, what is the true short term objective of all this rope-a-dope and bait-and-switch? The time table on developing a nuclear program is far too prohibitive for that to be the only end being served here, so I am forced to believe that there must be a much narrower focus that we seem to be missing. Issuing random threats to Israel and the West and holding hikers hostage only keeps us on our heels for a little while, but could hardly be the work of men hoping to buy time while they build ten new nuclear facilities and conduct the thousands of tests needed to put a viable delivery system into play. I do not ignore the threat that being able to now produce 20% enriched uranium poses, but I simply believe something bigger is truly at play here. I just can’t see these men having a ten-year plan. Even the greatest criminals the world has ever seen get tired of the running eventually and go for the big job at some point.

As I have stated here before, I am firmly of the mindset that the greatest threat posed by Iran comes in the form of “near nuclear” munitions or more conventional rocket warfare. I simply cannot believe that even a nation, as radicalized as Iran may be in terms of leadership, is foolish enough to open the doors to global Armageddon. They just want us to believe they will … and can. They may want the power that comes with having a nuclear arsenal but I believe their ambitions have a short term focus. I think their pursuit of a Middle East free of “Zionists” and Westerners far exceeds their genuine desire to acquire nuclear weapons for the purpose of actually using them.

My real fear is that while we are taking the Obama engagement path to pointless UN sanctions we are showing our hand and exposing the divided loyalties of the members of the Security Council. The current crisis – if you will – has demonstrated, if nothing else, that Russia and China are anything but willing partners to reeling in the budding threat to American interests in the region. There’s nothing like a little skirmish to test the forces that oppose you and see what they’re going to be willing to bring to battle. I believe we have emboldened Tehran through this process and shown them that any aggressive action taken to oppose them will be left fully to the cash-strapped overextended hands of US, British, and (maybe) German forces.

Daily threats to Israel are among the only constants emerging from Iran and two wars have depleted our resources dramatically. Now would be the opportune time to push the envelope and call the President to the mat while he is weakest. Ahmadinejad has cited the “Bush Doctrine” of Preemption repeatedly. Could he be planning to use the criticisms of the Bush administration against us – or against Israel? Criticisms offered, shared, and apologized for by this President?

April 16, 2008 - Photo by None/Getty Images Europe

I am not a prognosticator, and I would not for a minute want to presuppose a preemptive attack by Iran on Israel, nor would I want to begin to think of its potential consequences. I do not dismiss the Iranian nuclear threat. In fact, I believe we must work with a new sense of haste to oppose it – unilaterally if we must. That being said, even when viewed in a light most favorable to the rogue nation, I cannot allow myself to believe that the real and imminent threat that we face from Iran comes in the form of a nuclear weapon. A man with one nuclear weapon can trigger global demolition with one flip of a button and should be feared and “respected” accordingly, but the man with a thousand non-nuclear missiles and an army of madmen fundamentalists can easily embark on Israeli annihilation and should not be thought any less the threat.

Are you sure it wasn’t easier when we just didn’t talk to these people….???

“Iran aggressively pursues these weapons [of mass destruction] and exports terror, while an unelected few repress the Iranian people’s hope for freedom. … States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world.” – George W. Bush circa 2002

Who’s the idiot now?

President Obama offers “new beginning” and “promise of a new day” in a message to Iran…

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the nation will deliver a harsh blow to the “global arrogance” on this year’s anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
“The Islamic Revolution opened a window to liberty for the human race, which was trapped in the dead ends of materialism,” Ahmadinejad said during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

“If the Islamic Revolution had not occurred, liberalism and Marxism would have crushed all human dignity in their power-seeking and money-grubbing claws. Nothing would have remained of human and spiritual principles,” he added.

Gulf News

Tehran: Iran’s supreme leader has vowed to deliver a “punch in the mouth” to the country’s enemies if the opposition goes ahead with new protests planned for this week, as a senior pro-reform figure was sentenced to six years in prison over post-election unrest.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced the opposition as “counter-revolutionaries” being used by the country’s enemies, the United States, Britain and Israel, and vowed that Iranian unity in support of the Islamic revolution would defeat them.

Reformist former president Mohammad Khatami urged people to attend rallies.

Opposition leaders Mir Hussain Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi had earlier called on their supporters to attend the events on Thursday, raising the prospect of new clashes with the security forces.

Via Gateway Pundit… Via Iranian Fars News

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei stressed that the Zionist regime is moving on a precipice towards demise and it will soon experience annihilation.

“I am very optimistic about the future of Palestine and believe that Israel is moving on the precipice of wane and demise, and God willing its annihilation is for sure,”Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement Ramadan Abdullah Shallah here in Tehran.

He also called the Zionist regime’s inability to dominate Gaza a miracle, and added, “Despite all its financial and political aids and after laying siege (on Gaza) for more than two years, the Zionist regime could not defeat the resistance of Palestinian people.”

Elsewhere, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the attempts made by certain Arab governments to help the Zionist regime, and said these attempts are certainly doomed to failure as the Muslim nations always support the Palestinian cause.

FOX NEWS

VIENNA: Iran moved closer to being able to produce nuclear warheads Monday with formal notification that it will enrich uranium to higher levels, even while insisting that the move was meant only to provide fuel for its research reactor.

Iranian envoy Ali AsgharSoltanieh told The Associated Press that he informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of the decision to enrich at least some of its low-enriched uranium stockpile to 20 percent, considered the threshold value for highly enriched uranium.

Soltanieh, who represents Iran at the Vienna-based IAEA, also said that the U.N. agency’s inspectors now overseeing enrichment to low levels would be able to stay on site to fully monitor the process. And he blamed world powers for Iran’s decision, asserting that it was their fault that a plan that foresaw Russian and French involvement in supplying the research reactor had failed.

“Until now, we have not received any response to our positive logical and technical proposal,” he said. “We cannot leave hospitals and patients desperately waiting for radio isotopes” being produced at the Tehran reactor and used in cancer treatment, he added.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had already announced Sunday that his country would significantly enrich at least some of the country’s stockpile of uranium. Still, Monday’s notification to the IAEA was important as formal confirmation of the plan, particularly because of the rash of conflicting signals sent in recent months by Iranian officials on the issue.Even before Iran’s formal notification of the IAEA, some of those nations criticized the plan and suggested it would be met by increased pressure for new penalties on the Islamic Republic.

Iran has defied five U.N. Security Council resolutions — and three sets of U.N. sanctions — aimed at pressuring it to freeze enrichment, and has instead steadily expanded its program.

Iran Hints at “Prisoner” Swap for Release of American Hikers

T. CHRISTOPHER — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:05:33 +0000

Fox News is reporting that the Iranian government is considering the possibility of returning the three American hikers who have been imprisoned in the rogue nation for nearly seven months in exchange for the release of a number of unnamed Iranian nationals currently being held in American custody. The announcement while troubling, is the first real “news” in months regarding the hikers who Iran has held under suspicion of espionage.

As I have said previously regarding these three Americans, it is nothing short of a tragedy that their captivity has been covered so lightly by the mainstream media. They haven’t received even a fraction of the attention paid to Laura Ling and Euna Lee (sister and friend of Lisa Ling) who were held by the North Koreans on similar charges. The lack of attention being paid to their release by this administration is absolutely deplorable.

The story behind the story here is likely the most simple of all conclusions unfortunately. The American tourists are “nobodies” and accordingly, the administration cares not one iota about their freedom. No former president will be sent to their rescue, and little will be reported about their situation in the main stream media. The best thing that ever happened to them was this group of British sailors steering off course and heading into Iranian waters, because now the absolute lack of concern for these American citizens’ well being is on display for the world to see as Britain was successful in returning its citizens to safety, and after more than 5 months, the Obama administration has yet to do so.

In case you forgot about the American tourists being held in Iran, you can read about their story hereand their mothers pleas for their safe return here or their website here. You can even sign a petition asking for their release. FreeTheHikers.org

British Boaters Set Free by Iran: What About the American Tourists? UPDATE: 3 to Stand Trial Yet No Charges Filed

Fox News:

Ahmadinejad said in interview with state TV that there were ongoing negotiations about exchanging the hikers for several Iranians jailed for years in the United States.

“There are some talks under way to have an exchange, if it is possible,” he said. “Recently they (the U.S.) have sent messages, we answered to bring them (the Iranians), to bring these people (the hikers). We are hopeful that all prisoners will be released.”

Ahmadinejad did not mention any specifics but in December Iran released a list of 11 Iranians it says are being held in the U.S. — including a nuclear scientist who disappeared in Saudi Arabia and a former Defense Ministry official who vanished in Turkey. The list also includes an Iranian arrested in Canada on charges of trying to obtain nuclear technology.

“I had said I would help in releasing them, but the attitude of some of U.S. officials damages the job,” said Ahmadinejad. “There are a large number of Iranians in prison in the U.S. They have abducted some of our citizens in other countries.”

Iran to Deliver a Harsh Blow to Global Arrogance

T. CHRISTOPHER — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:45:38 +0000

“Iran will deliver a harsh blow to ‘global arrogance…’” on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution (February 11). Not exactly the way you like to start a Monday eh? Wackjob Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivered that sharp warning during a Cabinet meeting Sunday ( Via PressTV). He then went on to say that ”The Islamic Revolution opened a window to liberty for the human race, which was trapped in the dead ends of materialism… If the Islamic Revolution had not occurred, liberalism and Marxism would have crushed all human dignity in their power-seeking and money-grubbing claws. Nothing would have remained of human and spiritual principles.” I think he may be a bit off base with his interpretation of the significance of the Islamic Revolution, but who am I to question the merit of an argument laid out by a madman? The statement is if nothing else yet another sign that Iran is not going to cave quietly to the demands of the Obama administration and what’s left of the UN. It may simply be more posturing from the politically damaged President, but who among us is willing to assume the “best” when it comes to Ahmadinejad?

There is also the distinct possibility that the rogue nation and its rogue leader are simply testing President Obama as he turns his attention full steam toward domestic issues and is handcuffed with wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Scared Monkeys reminds us that Vice President Joe Biden predicted such events while debating the candidate Obama on the campaign trail saying that nation’s such as Iran would “test” Obama if he is elected. He said 6 months. Maybe he overshot just a bit, but he may actually be right about something for once…

The administration took measures over the weekend to secure American interests in the region. It is unclear if the statements were a response to administration efforts or vice-versa, but it does appear that the President and his advisers saw this or something similar to this on the horizon. The President has deployed additional warships to the region and has increased its sales of missile defense systems to neighboring Arab nations. Here’s a report from Fox News.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran rose Monday after the Obama Administration quietly increased the capability of land and sea-based missile defenses in several Gulf nations to protect American allies against a potential Iranian strike.

Administration officials said over the weekend that the U.S. was speeding up arms sales to a number of Gulf Arab states and that it had also deployed warships capable of knocking down hostile missiles in flight to the region.

The moves, which include the sales of anti-missile systems to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, are designed to deter Iran from launching attacks against its Sunni Muslim neighbors and to send a message to Israel that a preemptive strike against Iran is unnecessary.

The deployments come as President Obama enters a new phase in efforts to halt Iran’s nuclear program after the failure of a diplomatic offensive. Washington is anxious to get a tough new round of U.N. sanctions against Tehran, something that China and Russia have shown little interest in backing.

The new arms sales build on deals struck by Former President George W. Bush to develop a deterrent among the region’s Sunni nations, including Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, against the predominantly Shia Iran.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have bought more than $25 billion of U.S. arms in the past two years.

Abu Dhabi has bought $17 billion of U.S. hardware since 2008, including Patriot anti-missile systems, while the UAE as a whole recently bought 80 F-16 jets.

The administration will send a review of ballistic missile strategy to Congress on Monday that frames the larger shifts. Attention to defense of the Persian Gulf region, a focus on diffuse networks of sensors and weapons and cooperation with Russia are major elements of the study, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Russia opposed Bush administration plans for a land-based missile defense site in Eastern Europe, and President Obama’s decision to walk away from that plan last year was partly in pursuit of new capabilities that might hold greater promise and partly in deference to Russia.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton consulted with numerous allies during a visit to London this week. She told reporters that the evident failure of U.S. offers to engage Iran in negotiations over its nuclear program means the U.S. will now press for additional sanctions against the Iranian government.

Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. Central Command chief who is responsible for U.S. military operations across the Middle East, mentioned in several recent public speeches one element of the defensive strategy in the Gulf: upgrading Patriot missile systems, which originally were deployed in the region to shoot down aircraft but now can hit missiles in flight.

In remarks at Georgetown Law School on Jan. 21, Petraeus said the U.S. now has eight Patriot missile batteries stationed in the Gulf region — two each in four countries. He did not name the countries, but Kuwait has long been known to have Patriots on its territory.

A military official said Saturday that the three other countries are the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain — which also hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters — and Qatar, home to a modernized U.S. air operations center that has played a key role in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In a presentation Jan. 22 at the Institute for the Study of War, Petraeus explicitly linked the actions to concerns about Iran.

“Iran is clearly seen as a very serious threat by those on the other side of the Gulf front, and, indeed, it has been a catalyst for the implementation of the architecture that we envision and have now been trying to implement,” he said.

He said that “architecture” includes the extra Patriot batteries “that weren’t there, say, two years ago.”

“Other countries have certainly increased their Patriots, a whole host of different systems; Aegis ballistic missile cruisers are in the Gulf at all times now,” Petraeus added.

The Aegis ships are equipped with a missile known as the SM-3, which gained international acclaim in February 2008 when a souped-up version was launched from a Navy cruiser in the Pacific and shot down a failing U.S. satellite in space.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has spoken publicly about a new approach to missile defenses, both in Europe and the Gulf.

“I don’t want to get into it in too much detail,” Gates said in September. “but the reality is we are working both on a bilateral and a multilateral basis in the Gulf to establish the same kind of regional missile defense that would protect our facilities out there as well as our friends and allies.”

Gates said the adjusted approach is based in part on a belief by U.S. intelligence that Iran has not been progressing as fast as previously believed on development of a long-range ballistic missile, but is concentrating more heavily on short- and medium-range missiles of the sort that the Patriot and the Aegis systems are designed to defend against.

The Times of London and Associated Press contributed to this report.

Via Memeorandum

Clips From The Sunday Circuit: January 24, 2010

T. CHRISTOPHER — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:48:12 +0000

The Sunday following Scott Brown’s electoral thumping in the liberal hotbed of Massachusetts was predetermined if not predestined to be an interesting spin around the Sunday Circuit. This one didn’t let us down. Ok it did, but only because all these shows suck on at least twelve different levels. They did produce a few interesting sound bites however, so have a look . I was particularly fond of David Axerlod’s comment that no one will know what’s in the health care bill until the President signs it. Probably not the best message to be sending right now even if that’s not exactly what you meant.

Word of the Day – Process, process, process – it was the “process” that led to a Dem defeat in Massachusetts and its the “process” of health care reform that the American public is frustrated with. I guess that’s one way of putting it… or you could simply say that even if it is the “process” that has Americans everywhere voting Republican – they were YOUR processes – formulated by Democrats, implemented by Democrats, and for Democrats. So who’s to blame at the end of the Process? Democrats.

THIS WEEK

White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod – (process, process, process) – Was the President caught off guard in Massachusetts? ”The entire political community was caught a little unawares on that one.” You think?

Health care – day after Scott Brown victory – scaled back ambitions on health care? Ha.

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) – Permanent / Temporary replacement Terry Moran asks DeMint about his past statement that health care would be President Obama’s Waterloo.

Round Table: George Will, Cokie Roberts, Sam Donaldson, Matthew Dowd

Referendum in Massachusetts? (process v. substance) lots of spin here and a whole lot of talk about how Scott Brown’s victory was a win for an “outsider” rather than for a Republican. I guess they forgot what party he put on his signs. There’s a little John Edwards bashing at the end to bring some balance to the discussion. I guess its okay to criticize a Dem if they are politically neutered.

FACE THE NATION

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) – Says he’s very skeptical about Bernanke’s nomination AND is fearful of what will happen if he is turned down AND both concerned and leaning against voting for him BUT he says Bernanke should be held accountable for presiding over this mess. That’s what I like to call clear as mud. Thanks Mac.

The mood then turns to a somber one as McCain pouts like a twelve year old about the Citizens decision. When asked if he plans to introduce legislation to react to it he says, “I don’t think there is much that can be done – Roberts, Alito, and Scalia were very much opposed to it.” He then decides to take cheap shots at the three conservative Justices saying that it is “interesting” that none of them have any experience in the political arena. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THAT? They’re friggin Supreme Court Justices for Christ sake. We give them lifetime appointments because we don’t want them to be politicians. Are you kidding me you past your prime no good centrist piece. Retire already. Pllleeeaaasssee!!

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

Health care – what are Dem’s going to do now?

Round Table: Nancy Cordes – makes a “wonderful argument that Citizens is going to lead to widespread corporate interaction in political races – all of which will benefit Republicans alone.

Jan Crawford – reminds Nancy that the decision also removes restrictions on labor unions and other big spending interest groups that will undoubtedly favor the Dems and reminds the audience that it was “Moderate” Anthony Kennedy who wrote the Majority Opinion.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says that the President’s State of the Union Address will he emphasize his working for the little guy strategy. Chris Wallace then hammers him on transparency and hypocrisy pointing out that as the President talks one day about eliminating the role of the special interest in government and then brokers a billion dollar deal with Big Labor the next.

He also adds to the Process, Process, Process strategy of the day saying that it was the process that forced the health care bill to be a caricature of whats actually in it. On the economy he jumps into blame Bush mode again saying for the millionth time that what they inherited was far worse than anyone could have predicted.

John Cornyn (R-TX) Chairman of the Republican Senate Campaign Committee – brilliant and honorable man but one that presided over this mess so I will vote no. Warren Buffet said he should not go. what caused Dow to fall this week? Bank tax or Ben replacement.

Round Table: Bill Krystol, Juan Williams, Brit Hume, Mara Liasson

More Scott Brown commentary

MEET THE PRESS

Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett Is the President back on the campaign trail? She says he’s increasingly frustrated with the business of Washington. She adds that wonderful little talking point that the President is focused on Americans and their interests not special interest – love it when they go there. She also adds a little heart warming tale that the President throws around from time to time – that the Chief Executive reads ten letters every night from real Americans – Jarrett adds this time that “some of them are from children.” Such a man of the people.

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What are the President’s priorities going forward?

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After Scott Brown, what’s next for health care and what’s next for the President?

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Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) – Citizens – the Supreme Court said the 1st Amendment is for everyone.

Asked if any Republicans will support the proposed health care proposals? ”Its time to start over.”

How will Republicans work with the President to make reform a reality? ”He makes the initiatives and we react to them. If he moves to the Center we will be there to meet him. He chose to go Far Left in his first year.”

Greggory tries to cite the Finance Committee as evidence that Republicans HAVE been involved in the process and ignores the fact that the Left keeps telling us that no one knows what’s in the bill any longer. (See David Axelrod above)

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SCOTUS Decision – Its an important victory for the First Amendment

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Round Table:

Peggy Noonan – President had difficulties / 2008 election settled nothing / America is still at play / Obama lost the independents

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Bin Laden Claims Part in Christmas Day Terror Plot

T. CHRISTOPHER — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 13:32:25 +0000

Al Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden has released another audio message according to Al-Jazeera television. In the message he reportedly claims responsibility for the Christmas Day terror plot partially carried out by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab calling him a “heroic warrior.” The audio clip has not been authenticated as of yet, but as was the case with the many other reported “messages from bin Laden” that have been leaked to Al Jazeera, I have no doubt this one too will be confirmed as authentic in the days to come. I would love to know how Al Jazeera always happens to come across these little messages however. Do they just check the mailbox and find yellow envelopes marked Terrorist Propaganda Enclosed – DO NOT BEND or is bin Laden their annoying Facebook friend that comments on their Christmas Day status a month late like a crazy ex-girlfriend?

Fox News

Al Qaeda leader Usama Bin Laden issued a new audio message claiming responsibility for the Christmas day airline bombing attempt in Detroit and vowed further attacks.

In a short recording carried by the Al-Jazeera Arabic news channel, bin Laden addressed President Barack Obama saying the attack was a message like that of Sept. 11 and more attacks against the U.S. would be forthcoming.

“The message delivered to you through the plane of the heroic warrior Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a confirmation of the previous messages sent by the heroes of the Sept. 11,” he said.

“America will never dream of security unless we will have it in reality in Palestine,” he added. “God willing, our raids on you will continue as long as your support to the Israelis will continue.”

Washington Post

The U.S. says it can’t immediately authenticate a new audio message purportedly by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden that claims responsibility for the plot to bomb a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas.

But White House adviser David Axelrod tells CNN’s “State of the Union” that whatever the source, the message “contains the same hollow justification for the mass slaughter of innocents.”

In the message release early Sunday, bin Laden threatens more attacks on the United States.