Monday, September 21, 2009

09/21/09

* Ayalon: Military option against Iran is still on the table Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon insisted Monday that the military option against Iran was still on the table.

* McChrystal: More Forces or 'Mission Failure' The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan warns in an urgent, confidential assessment of the war that he needs more forces within the next year and bluntly states that without them, the eight-year conflict "will likely result in failure."

* Brzezinski: US should down IAF jets Former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski has urged US President Barack Obama to make it clear that if the IAF tries to launch an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities via Iraqi airspace, the US Air Force will shoot down the Israeli jets.

* Obama Says Financial Regulations Must Be Strengthened Globally President Barack Obama said tougher financial regulations are needed worldwide to protect consumers, provide economic stability and prevent future crises.

* Kremlin says Israel promised not to strike Iran Israel promised Russia it would not launch an attack on Iran, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview aired on Sunday.

* Berlusconi advocates creation of ‘core Europe' if Ireland says No again Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has suggested that if the Irish people vote against the Lisbon Treaty a second time, a group of European Union member states should move to create a "core Europe".

* Ahmadinejad proud of Holocaust denial Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday he was proud his denial of the Holocaust had enraged the West.

* Iraqi Shiite leader appeals for unity before vote The leader of Iraq's largest Shiite party sought Monday to shore up political support before January's elections.

* 'Poland missile array not yet nixed' Russia's top general said Monday that plans to deploy missiles in an enclave next to Poland have not been shelved.

* Netanyahu leaves for New York meeting Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and President Barack Obama will meet this week after all.