Monday, 28 January 2013





DEBKAfile Special Report January 28, 2013, 8:31 PM (GMT+02:00)
US Navy strikes groups idle in dock
US Navy strikes groups idle in dock
Comments by US President Barack Obama and Ambassador Dan Shapiro lack a US commitment to step in against the Syrian chemical threat. Obama is concerned with juggling his global military priorities against a shrinking defense budget.DEBKAfile: The onus for coping with the chemical peril is being passed by Washington to Turkey, Jordan and Israel. US aid will be confined to setting targets, providing intelligence and coordinating Israeli-Turkish-Jordanian military operations if necessary to take control of the dangerous arsenal. 
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Israel’s Radical Political Shakeup
Its election produced a new, still shapeless, political scene. 
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Obama pivots away from Mid East
Moscow & Iran step into the vacuum – and not just in Syria.
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Saudi Royal Rulers Fear Obama
They eye potential US support for rebellion in Shiite oil region.
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Headlines
Iran actively weighs Syrian-Israeli clash. Iron Dome posted in N. Israel
DEBKAfile Exclusive Report
January 27, 2013, 6:38 PM (GMT+02:00)
Free Syrian Army displays used ordnance
Free Syrian Army displays used ordnance
Tehran is looking seriously at a limited Syrian-Lebanese clash of arms with Israel – possibly using Bashar Assad’s chemical weapons as a trigger,DEBKAfile discloses.  Israel reacted to this news by announcing Sunday, Jan. 27, the deployment of Iron Dome anti-missile batteries in northern Israel and Haifa port.  A clash would serve Tehran by sidetracking Israel from striking Iran’s nuclear facilities and help spin out its nuclear talks with the Six Powers. Israel has got plans ready for current military challenges.
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