Iran........
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-11-29/irans-rouhani-we-are-not-dismantling-our-nuclear-facilities-iran-will-maintain-its-u
Submitted by Tyler Durden on 11/29/2013 16:27 -0500
Israeli officials were also complaining that international businessmen are “converging on Iran” to restore trade ties on a large scale and that it was Obama’s fault.
The US has imposed global oil sanctions on all Iran oil purchases, but the administration is allowed to offer country-by-country waivers, and has traditionally done so to countries which have agreed to cut back oil purchases.
The BSA would be the legal cover under which the US occupation would continue beyond 2014, through 2024 and beyond. The deal was approved by Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga, but needs Karzai’s signature to go into effect.
Today’s attack destroyed a house in Chasma Pul, killing three people and wounding two others. None of the victims were identified, but all of them were labeled “suspected militants,” as is common practice for US attacks.
Oil tanker companies, which have been unable to use the KP route into Afghanistan, are now threatening to “cut off” KP’s shipments if the demonstrations against the drones don’t end within 72 hours.
The Baghdad executions appear to have been part of an orchestrated campaign by some militant faction, with several gunmen abducting victims from their homes, wearing Iraqi military uniforms.
Southern Iraq Targeted in Violence That Leaves 60 Dead, 107 Wounded
11/28/2013
Iraq: 75 Killed, 98 Wounded as Dumped Bodies Are Found Across Baghdad
11/27/2013
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-11-29/irans-rouhani-we-are-not-dismantling-our-nuclear-facilities-iran-will-maintain-its-u
Iran's Rouhani: "We Are Not Dismantling Our Nuclear Facilities; Iran Will Maintain Its Uranium Enrichment Programme"
In case there was any confusion just how "historic" last week's agreement with Iran, loudly trumpeted by the Obama administration as the most "historic" since Syria in a, well, long time, truly was in terms of curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions, here is the explanation straight from the horse's mouth i.e., Iran president Hassan Rouhani who spoke today in an interview with the FT. "Mr Rouhani struck a tough line on Iran’s expectations over a comprehensive nuclear deal to be negotiated following last weekend’s landmark interim pact. “One hundred per cent [no],” he said when asked about dismantling nuclear facilities." So ixnay on the ismantleday. What about halting Uranium enrichment - that other pillar of Obama (and Hollande's of course) historic agreement? "[Rouhani] made clear that Tehranwas determined to maintain a uranium enrichment programme for peaceful purposes." In other words, Iran will continue doing what it said it did before, only this time it will get billions of implicit subsidies as various embargoes are lifted.
As the FT notes, a US Senate aide said of the Iranian president’s remarks: "This is precisely the sort of comment that is going to make some people in Congress very nervous."
Of course, none of this is news to most who followed the theatrical spectacle that was the so-called Geneva deal, in which as confirmed, nothing actionable has been achieved except for the US to alienate its staunch allies Israel and Saudi Arabia further.
Actually, there was news: "Recalling his telephone conversation with President Barack Obama during Mr Rouhani’s recent visit to the UN in New York, he said: “I found him someone with very polite and smart language”. Well, if there is one thing one can say about the president, is that he sure has smart language.
and....
Kerry: Tough Sanctions on Iran Remain Despite Deal
Israeli Officials Insist Obama 'Destroyed' Sanctions
by Jason Ditz, November 29, 2013
US and Israeli officials continue to have a very public battle over the deal between the P5+1 and Iran, as Israeli officials angrily condemn Obama, claiming he has “destroyed” the international sanctions against Iran and they will “collapse within months.”
Israeli officials were also complaining that international businessmen are “converging on Iran” to restore trade ties on a large scale and that it was Obama’s fault.
A lot of businesses are indeed looking to restore business ties with Iran right now, hoping to get in on the ground floor in anticipation that the six month interim deal will lead to a final deal and a full rapprochement.
Instead of backing the idea that the deal and the rapprochement could be a good thing, Secretary of State John Kerry is arguing that the prospects are overblown, and that harsh sanctions remain in place.
State Dept Extends Iran Oil Waivers to China, India, and South Korea
Countries Can Continue Oil Buys
by Jason Ditz, November 29, 2013
As expected, the US State Department has extended sanctions waivers to China, India and South Korea today, along with exemptions for Turkey and Taiwan, to purchase Iranian oil.
The US has imposed global oil sanctions on all Iran oil purchases, but the administration is allowed to offer country-by-country waivers, and has traditionally done so to countries which have agreed to cut back oil purchases.
Before the sanctions, Iran shipped about 2.5 million barrels of oil per day. Today, the waivers leave them down to about 1 million per day, and aren’t expected to change significantly in the next six months despite an interim deal between the P5+1 and Iran.
The waiver were initially intended to keep individual countries from taking too big a hit from losing supply from Iran, as the US sought to convince them to increase purchases from allies like Saudi Arabia. Now, the waivers give certain countries a chance to buy oil at below market prices from Iran, which can’t export most of its excess production.
Afghanistan........
Karzai Stands Firm, Won’t Sign US Troop Deal
Night Raid, Drone Issues Remain Unresolved
by Jason Ditz, November 29, 2013
Despite growing pressure from political rivals and US demands that he sign the pact immediately, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has reiterated that he doesn’t intend to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) until certain preconditions are met.
The BSA would be the legal cover under which the US occupation would continue beyond 2014, through 2024 and beyond. The deal was approved by Afghanistan’s Loya Jirga, but needs Karzai’s signature to go into effect.
Karzai is holding off on signing the deal, saying he prefers to leave it up to his successor, but also demanding the US free Afghan citizens from Guantanamo Bay and make concessions on night raids.
The security demands were further solidified yesterday when a US drone strike killed three in southern Afghanistan. Karzai says he will never agree to the deal if it means similar strikes can happen in the future.
Pakistan......
Pakistan Protests Continue as US Drone Strike Kills Three
Latest Strikes Hit House in Chasma Pul
by Jason Ditz, November 29, 2013
Pakistani protesters continued to take to the street of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwah (KP) Province today as yet another US drone attack hit the nation’s tribal areas.
Today’s attack destroyed a house in Chasma Pul, killing three people and wounding two others. None of the victims were identified, but all of them were labeled “suspected militants,” as is common practice for US attacks.
One local resident said the house was being rented by the men, who were believed to be part of the Punjabi Taliban, a faction which is not generally at war with Pakistan’s government.
US drone strikes have increasingly targeted Taliban fighters who either have or are in the process of establishing peace deals with Pakistan’s government, undermining the deals and fueling anger across Pakistan.
Oil Shippers Threaten to Cut Off Pakistan Province Over Anti-Drone Protests
Demand End to All Anti-Drone Protests in 72 Hours
by Jason Ditz, November 29, 2013
Anti-drone protesters have cut off shipments through Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwah (KP) Province into neighboring Afghanistan in retaliation for US drone strikes, but are now facing threats of another kind.
Oil tanker companies, which have been unable to use the KP route into Afghanistan, are now threatening to “cut off” KP’s shipments if the demonstrations against the drones don’t end within 72 hours.
The KP’s ruling party, Pakistani Tehreek-e Insaf (PTI) has organized the protests against the drone strikes, but has yet to respond to the threat of an oil shutdown.
A “cut off” could be devastating for major cities like Peshawar, but could also inflame resentments against the drone strikes and fuel speculation that the US is trying to punish them for their opposition.
Iraq........
18 Shot in the Head in Baghdad, Seven More Beheaded in North
Baghdad Execution-Style Killings Followed Abductions From Homes
by Jason Ditz, November 29, 2013
Bombings and other sectarian attacks have been the bulk of the death toll across Iraq, but summary executions seem to be making a comeback as a tactic for militant factions, with at least 18 slain in Baghdad today, and police reporting seven beheaded in northern Iraq as well.
The Baghdad executions appear to have been part of an orchestrated campaign by some militant faction, with several gunmen abducting victims from their homes, wearing Iraqi military uniforms.
Eventually, the 18 abductees were shot in the head and their bodies dumped in a Sunni neighborhood just north of Baghdad. Officials say the victims were likely chosen for perceived support for the Shi’ite government.
The seven who were found beheaded were Sunnis working on the construction of a stadium, and their bodies were dumped in a yard in Tikrit.
11/28/2013
11/27/2013
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