Current Events and Links

See also:
War in Iraq
Mid-East Conflict
New Cold War
The War of Gog and Magog
Terrorism
CyberWar

US Sanctions Chinese Firms Over Iran Sales

Dec. 27, 2005 - The State Department has imposed sanctions on six Chinese companies and three others (two from India and one from Australia) for selling equipment to Iran that can be used for making weapons of mass destruction. The companies will be barred from doing business with the U.S. government or from buying high-tech products from the U.S.

The sanctions action was one of the most sweeping yet taken under the Iran Nonproliferation Act approved by Congress five years ago, and it reflects an aggressive behind-the-scenes U.S. effort to cut off Iran from sources of weapons of mass destruction material.

Source: Voice of America

Report: Israel prepares to strike Iran
Dec. 11, 2005 - Y Net

Nuke over U.S. could unleash electromagnetic tsunami

Dec. 7, 2005 - This article is based on the new book, "War Footing: 10 Steps America Must Take to Prevail in the War for the Free World", by Frank J. Gaffney and Colleagues. The book warns that the reports of a blue ribbon commission, created by Congress, are being ignored. The "Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack" issued its final report in summer of 2004.

The commission found that a single nuclear weapon, delivered by a ballistic missile to an altitude of a few hundred miles over the United States, would be "capable of causing catastrophe for the nation."

The blast could disable or destroy the nation's electrical and communications systems. Many countries have the capability of delivering this sort of first strike against the U.S., and it appears Iran will soon be in this group. Terrorists could conceivably achieve this kind of attack from a freighter in the ocean.

Source: World Tribune

The EMP Threat: Ignoring the Nightmare Scenario - Hal Lindsey

Iran Warns Israel After Netanyahu Attack Threat

Dec. 5, 2005 - Recently former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel should prevent Iraq's completion of its nuclear installations like they did in 1981 when they destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor. Netanyahu said, "Israel needs to do everything to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear threat against it."

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council responded to Netanyahu's remarks by saying, "The Islamic republic is a tough target and there would be heavy consequences."

Source:SpaceWar

Russia Justifies $1 Billion Worth Weapon Deal with Iran

Dec. 4, 2005 - Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mikhail Kamynin, said Russia was selling $1 billion worth of weapons to Iran, but that they were “exclusively defensive weapons,” that are in compliance with nonproliferation commitments. The sales include up to 30 Tor-M1 missile systems to Iran over the next two years.

The Interfax news agency said the Tor-M1 system could identify up to 48 targets and fire at two targets simultaneously at a height of up to 20,000 feet.

Source:Moscow News

Israeli PM: Iranian nukes unacceptable

Nov. 30, 2005 - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is leading the effort to mobilize world leadership to disuade Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Diplomatic efforts will fail if there is no change by next March. Iran rallies are calling for Israel to be "wiped out of the face of the world." Meanwhile, Germany has agreed to Israel two Dolphin submarines, capable of launching nuclear weapons against Iran.

Israel "can't accept a situation where Iran has nuclear arms" and "is making all the necessary preparations to handle a situation like this," Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Thursday.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Russian warhead alters course midflight in test

Nov. 22, 2005 - A Russian Topol-M missile, designed to thwart the new U.S. missile-defense system of interceptors deployed in Alaska and California, successfully changed course during a recent test flight.

The missile booster fired for a shorter-than-usual duration in placing the dummy warhead and re-entry vehicle into space. The warhead then dropped down to a lower trajectory and was able to maneuver.

Source:Washington Times

Risks Of Proliferation 'Too High' If Iran Persists: EU

Sept. 22, 2005 - Foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany wrote an article for Le Monde newspaper, saying that Iran doesn't need the kind of fuel it wants to produce, and the risks of proliferation are "too high" if Iran persists in its current nuclear policy.

Central Asia and the Middle East, which are among the most fragile regions in the world, risk being destablised. Other states could well try to develop their own capacities. The Non-Proliferation Treaty would be seriously affected.

Source: SpaceWar

North Korea Pledges to Stop Building Nuclear Weapons

Sept. 19, 2005 - After two years of six-party talks, a breakthrough has occured, with North Korea agreeing to abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs. They also agreed to return soon to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards

In exchange, the North would receive energy assistance and a pledge from the United States that it won't attack.

Source:NewsMax

Nuclear stockpiles could create 300,000 bombs

Sept 7, 2005 - David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) expressed the concern of the group because there is enough plutonium, enriched uranium, and other weapons-grade material available in the world to build 300,000 nuclear bombs. All of these materials are kept in safe places, but even the safest could be robbed, or insiders could be responsible for unauthorized release.

Experts are worried that terrorists could steal enough to trigger a nuclear catastrophe.

Source: New Scientist

Chinese activist warns of nuclear war

Sept. 1, 2005 - Bill Gertz reports in the Washington Times that Wei Jingsheng, a leading international advocate for political reform in China, believes a nuclear war with China over the issue of Taiwan is possible in the near future. He said:

In the past, China may have felt that it was not time for them to confront the U.S. Now, things are different... The nuclear threat from China is a substantial threat, not theoretical.

Source:Washington Times

Hugo Chavez vs. America

Aug. 24, 2005 - Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez considers America his enemy. He has rejected U.S. alliances and has forged ties with Cuba instead. He is building a large army with Russian weapons, and many think he is going to make trouble for the United States.

Meanwhile, Chavez laughs all the way to the bank. He sits atop one of the largest oil reserves in the world. Venezuela owns CITGO. And as America's fourth largest oil supplier, he believes he has the U.S. by the throat. And he just might.

Source:CBN

Pat Robertson Calls for Hugo Chavez's Assassination - NewsMax

U.S.: Pat Robertson Comments on Chavez Unwelcome - NewsMax

Venezuela: Robertson's Comments 'Criminal' - Fox

Pat Robertson Clarifies His Statement Regarding Hugo Chavez - CBN

Robertson Apologizes for Chavez Remark - Fox

Iran says it will resume nuclear activity; France warns of crisis

Aug. 2, 2005 - Iran's Atomic Energy Organization plans to resume the process of converting uranium ore to gas at a nuclear plant near the city of Isfahan within two days.

Converting raw uranium into gas is a precursor to producing highly enriched nuclear fuel that could be used to make weapons or used in power stations - as Iran insists it is doing.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said their decision could spark "a major crisis." U.S. intelligence sources think that the development of an atomic weapon by Iran is between five and ten years away.

Source:Ha'Aretz

China: We'd nuke U.S. if provoked over Taiwan

July 15, 2005 - Zhu Chenghu, a major general in China's People's Liberation Army, told journalists that, if America attacks China over the Taiwan issue, the Chinese will respond with nuclear weapons.

"We Chinese will prepare ourselves for the destruction of all of the cities east of Xian. Of course, the Americans will have to be prepared that hundreds ... of cities will be destroyed by the Chinese."

Source:WorldNetDaily

Iran Could Destroy Israel With 2 Nukes

July 8, 2005 - At a conference on Iran and its nuclear program, the it was revealed that Israel's Defense Ministry believes Iran could destroy the country with two atomic bombs.

They said authorities have determined that two nuclear bombs that explode in the center and north of Israel would destroy most of the population and all vital infrastructure.

Source:Middle East Newsline

Iran Urges Worldwide Islamic Revolt

July 1, 2005 - Mahmood Ahmadinejad, Iran's president-elect said that his election would signal a new world-wide Islamic revolution.

"Thanks to the blood of the martyrs, a new Islamic revolution has arisen and the Islamic revolution of 1384 [the current Iranian year] will, if God wills, cut off the roots of injustice in the world."

Source:Middle East Newsline

Chinese Dragon Awakens

June 26, 2005 - A report from U.S. defense and intelligence officials indicates that China is rapidly building its military forces, and may attack Taiwan in the next two years. In that case, the U.S. would be drawn into a war with China because our country has vowed to defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack.

China's economy has been growing at a rate of at least 10 percent for each of the past 10 years, providing the country's military with the needed funds for modernization. The combination of a vibrant centralized economy, growing military and increasingly fervent nationalism has transformed China into what many defense officials view as a fascist state.

Source:Washington Times

China activates bomb shelters - WorldNetDaily

Will China's Lust for Power Bring War to America?

June 2, 2005 - China has a new anti-succession law that would authorize war if Taiwan decides to formally declare its independence. If that ever happens, the U.S. will be drawn into the conflict because of our defense treaty with Taiwan.

Source:CBN

U.S. Seizes Nuke Shipment For Iran

June 2, 2005 - The U.S. and its allies have intercepted 11 shipments of missile and nuclear shipments to Iran this year according to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Source:Middle East News Line

N. Korea says steps taken to boost nuke arsenal

May 11, 2005 - The North Korean government shut down the Yongbyon reactor last month in order to remove 8000 fuel rods, which can now be reprocessed to extract weapons-grade plutonium. They have now confirmed that the rods were removed.

“We are continuing to take necessary measures to increase (our) nuclear arsenal for self-defense purposes,” the unnamed spokesman said.

Source:MSNBC

North Korea 'has six nuclear weapons'

May 9, 2005 - Mohamed El Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told a CNN reporter that the plutonium North Korea is known to have could have been converted to as many as six nuclear weapons.

Source:Telegraph U.K.

North Korea nuke test would be ‘disastrous’

May 7, 2005 - North Korea has claimed it has nuclear weapons, and that it would soon test their bomb. They have dug, and then filled a giant hole which could be used for the test.

IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, speaking at the U.N. on Friday, said a North Korean nuclear test would have grave political and environmental consequences.

Other observers think the preparations are a giant hoax designed to give them political advantage.

Source:MSNBC

Nuclear Nightmare

May 4, 2005 - At an international conference on the future of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned that a nuclear catastrophe would have global consequences. The U.S. accused Iran and North Korea [part of President Bush's “axis of evil”] of violating the 1970 non-proliferation treaty by developing nuclear weapons.

A private report entitled "Project Daniel: Israel's Strategic Future," was issued last year to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon urging an American or Israeli pre-emptive strike against Iran.

UN chief Kofi Annan warns of nuclear catastrophe - Financial Times

Iran vows to pursue nuke plans, slams U.S., Israel - Ha'Aretz

1st strike on Iran 'gaining traction'
Report urges U.S., Israel to consider pre-emptive attack against Tehran - WorldNetDaily

S.Korea says at 'critical moment' on N.Korea crisis - Reuters

D-Hour for Iran rapidly approaches

Apr. 28, 2005 -

The Pentagon has notified Congress of the pending sale to Israel of 100 "bunker-buster" bombs that could be used to attack Iran's secret underground nuclear facilities, such as their uranium-enrichment farm at Natanz. Congress has only 30 days to object.

According to Jerome Corsi, author of Atomic Iran, there is still hope for a peaceful solution to the growing threat that Iran's nuclear ambitions can be stopped before they actually produce weapons, but time is running out. If Congress does not stop the sale, Lockheed Martin will sell the bombs that Israel could use to destroy Iran's atomic facilities. It is hoped that this would cause the people of Iran to force their own government to stop the development of nuclear weapons.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Iran Hid Nuclear Plans for Nearly 2 Decades

Apr. 23, 2005 - Iran's Bushier light water reactor is not the only known aspect of Iran's nuclear development. Several sites are now known, although they succesfully hid them for nearly two decades. Experts are still not sure how long it will be before they are operational, but they now know that the facilities are large enough to produce uranium for 25 to 50 nuclear bombs a year.

Source:Fox

Iran Warns U.S. Not to 'Play with Fire'

Feb. 13, 2005 -

Source:My Way

North Korea Confirms It Has Nuclear Weapons

Feb. 10, 2005 - For the first time, North Korea has admitted that it does have nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the country is not interested in restarting disarmament talks anytime soon.

The communist nation argued it needs protection against what it considers an increasingly hostile United States.

Source:Fox

N Korea suspends nuclear talks - BBC

China, Russia Will Hold First War Games

Dec. 14, 2004 - Russia and China, cold war opponents, have announced joint military exercises some time next year. President Hu Jintao called for an expansion of the rapidly growing alliance between the countries.

Beijing and Moscow have built up military and political ties since the Soviet collapse in 1991, driven in part by joint desire to counterbalance U.S. global dominance.

Russia already sells billions of dollars worth of arms to China and hopes to expand that market.

Source:MY Way

U.S. Stages Simulated Attack On Iran

Dec. 13, 2004 - According to Atlantic Monthly magazine, the Pentagon has held simulations of a U.S. military air strike and ground invasion on Iranian bases and nuclear facilities. The exercise was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of destroying Iran's nuclear weapons program.

Source:Middle East News Line

Iran boasts 'great victory' over US, warns nuclear freeze is temporary

Dec. 1, 2004 - Iran claimed victory over the U.S. on Monday when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) spared them from being referred to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions. The U.S. wanted the censure, but Iran made a deal with Britain, France and Germany to suspend its uranium enrichment program temporarily.

But there are fears that Iran's fuel cycle drive belies an effort to acquire the "strategic option" to build a bomb if circumstances dictate it. The United States insists the country already has a covert weapons plan.

Source:Yahoo

Powell: Intelligence suggests Iran trying to adapt missiles for nukes

Nov. 18, 2004 - Despite it's assurances to the United Nations, U.S. Secretary of StateColin Powell said the U.S. has intelligence that indicates Iran is trying to fit missiles to carry nuclear weapons. Iran hopes to have atomic weapons by next year.

Source:CNN

Russia will deploy new missiles

Nov. 18, 2004 - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new nuclear missile systems that would surpass those of any other nuclear power. It was described as a "hypersonic flying vehicle," and was said to be "deep maneuvering," meaning that it could alter it's course to evade interception. Further details were not given, but it would presumably be able to penetrate the U.S. ["star wars"] missile defense system that is being constructed.

The Russian military is widely reported to have been trying to perfect land- and sea-based ballistic missiles with warheads that could elude a missile-defense system like the one being constructed under the Bush administration.

Source:Detroit Free Press

US system won't stop Russian missiles - The Age

North Korea Threatens War Over Possible Sanctions

Oct. 11, 2004 - North Koreans failed to attend a six-nation meeting about their nuclear weapons program in September. They blamed Washington's "hostile policy" towards North Korea and reports of secret nuclear experiments in South Korea. U.S. officials countered by saying that they might request the U.N. Security Council to impose sanctions on North Korea if it continues to boycott the talks.

The state-run Korean Central New Agency said Monday that Pyongyang "would promptly and resolutely react to sanctions with self-defensive war deterrent force."

Source:Voice Of America

Shehab-3 Cometh

Aug. 11, 2004 - After more than a decade of development, it is apparent that Iran is close to completing its development of nuclear weapons. They have also tested their Shehab-3 Missile that is capable of delivering a nuclear payload to any part of Israel. Israel has threatened to destroy their nuclear plant, but Iran says Israel would not be so foolish because of the severe retaliation they would receive. A comparison of this situation with Biblical insight about the demonic "Prince of Persia" in Daniel 10 is sobering.

Source:Hal Lindsey Oracle

Iran threatens to "wipe Israel off the globe"

July 29, 2004 - Iran has resumed development of nuclear centrifuge equipment, used in the production of enriched uranium - a prime ingredient for an atomic bomb. Israel may take matters into their own hands if necessary to stop Iran from producing nuclear weapons. Now Iran has countered with the statement that they will "wipe Israel off the globe" if Israel attacks their nuclear facilities.Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz is calling for international pressure against Iran's nuclear ambitions in order to keep either side from engaging in military operation.

Source:Arutz Sheva

World ignoring genocide in Sudan

June 22, 2004 - Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin report that Sudan is experiencing systematic genocide by a radical Islamic regime.

The conflict between mainly black rebels in Western Sudan and government-backed Arab militiamen has led to the deaths of thousands and the displacement of as many as 1 million people in what human rights groups are calling "ethnic cleansing."

While experts debate whether or not this tragedy is true genocide, the media largely ignores the problem.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Israel to destroy Iran nuke plant?

April 26, 2004 - Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin reports that Israel may destroy Iran's nuclear reactor before it starts to produce weapons-grade plutonium. They did the same thing to an Iraqi nuclear facility more than a decade ago.

Source:WorldNetDaily

Israel Urged To Stop Iran's Nuke Program

Mystery over new Russian weapon

Mar. 31, 2004 - Russian sources endorse President Vladimir Putin's earlier claim that they have developed a "hypersonic flying vehicle" that was able to maneuver between space and the earth's atmosphere. This missile would be able to penetrate any missile defense system that the U.S. plans to build.

Source:CNN

Russia Says Weapon Renders 'Missile Defense Useless'

Feb. 20, 2003 - The Russians have tested a hypersonic missile that can change directions and altitudes even while it is in orbit, making the planned U.S. defense shield useless.

...The prototype of a new hypersonic vehicle had proved its ability to maneuver while in orbit, thereby making it able to to dodge an enemy's missile shield.

Source:NewsMax

The nuclear supermarket

Feb. 6, 2004 - U.N. officials say there are still remnants of a vast international nuclear "supermarket" that has secretly supplied nuclear designs, technology and components to several countries, including Iran, Libya, and North Korea for more than a decade. Pakistan's nuclear head, Abdul Qadeer Khan, was the centeral figure of the network. He recently confessed his involvement, but experts are sure there are others carrying on the lucrative trade. American officials suspect Syria and Saudi Arabia also benefited from the network.

Source:Telegraph U.K.

Russia Said Preparing Nuclear Maneuvers

Jan. 31, 2004 - See the summary on our Russia page.

China warns Taiwan 'risking war'

Nov. 19, 2003 - Four months before elections in Taiwan, Wang Zaixi, Vice Minister of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said that Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian "risks war" if he launches any independence bid. China considers Taiwan a part of China, even though it has been governed separately since 1949.

Taiwan is formally recognised by fewer than 30 countries and was replaced at the United Nations by China in 1971.

Source:BBC

France 'to aim nuclear arms at rogue states'

Oct. 28, 2003 - France is set to confirm a new nuclear doctrine, which is said to be the fruit of several years of reflection by the defence ministry.

France is to enact a historic shift in military strategy by targeting its nuclear missiles on "rogue states" that have weapons of mass destruction, it was reported yesterday.

If this new doctrine is confirmed, it will depart from the policy of the past 40 years, during which their nuclear weapons were seen only as a deterrence against declared nuclear powers.

Source:Telegraph, UK

Saudi Arabia heading for nuclear status?

Oct. 28, 2003 - According to the Israel-based Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have reached an agreement that may lead to the aquisition and permanent deployment of nuclear weapons in Saudi Arabia.

Source:Jerusalem Newswire

Politics, Not Religion, Spurs Violence, Pollsters Told

Oct. 20, 2003 - The results of a new Zogby poll, analyzing the religious beliefs and practices of 11 religious groups in seven countries, show that that most people see politics rather than religion as the cause of violence and strife.

Source:Crosswalk

Terrorism a greater threat than the Soviets

Aug. 12, 2003 - See the summary in our Terrorism section.