Three US Norfolk-based amphibious assault ships set out for Persian Gulf Saturday

They [the assault ships] are part of the USS Bataan Strike group carrying 2,000 Marines and equipped to insert forces ashore by helicopter, landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The Baatan is equipped with helicopters and fast hovercraft capable of landing thousands of Marines on beaches and providing the landing with cover. The Shreveport, known as the Super Gator, combines the logistical-intelligence support of a command ship with the assault capabilities of combat loaded marines. It is designed for extended amphibious operations. The USS Oak Hill is designed to assist distressed vessels.

DEBKAfile’s military sources add that another three warships are due to sail out of Norfolk for the Gulf this week with marine personnel aboard. This will bring to more than 20,000 the complement of sailors, marines and pilots either heading for the Gulf region like the USS John C. Stennis strike group, or already present like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS Boxer.

The West and the Iranian Green Revolution - 1

The uprising in Iran has reminitions of non violent and violent actions by the west to overthrow governments. Is the Green Revolution entirely sponteneaous? In this article I quote from my book The Next War - The Attack on Iran - A Preview.

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Secret US policy is the real story behind the Somali pirates: Africa correspondent

Africa correspondent Thomas C. Mountain in an interview with DeepJournal: The pirates are protected in the military bases of the Ethiopian army in Somalia, a force protected by the United States for serving as the local policeman. Mountain explains that the corrupt Ethiopian military shares the loot of the Somali pirates: 'It's protection money'.

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The Next War: Donkerdoorn vs Daan de Wit (1)

DD: Daan, we now have Obama - the man of change - in Washington. Bush is gone, and with him goes the American threat to Iran. Or so you'd think. We're still hearing that trusty "Bush rhetoric" out of Washington. [...] Are we dealing with schizophrenic American policy here? How do you explain this American position?

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Unconventional weapons used in Gaza, says Norwegian surgeon based in Gaza

Israel has likely made use of unconventional weapons in the Gaza War. This according to the Norwegian surgeon Mads Gilbert speaking to the French press agency AFP. Gilbert worked in the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza during the war. In an interview [video] he says: 'I can tell you that we have clear evidence that the Israelis are using a new type of very high explosive weapons which are called Dense Inert Metal Explosive (DIME) and are made out of a tungsten alloy. [...] Gilberts view is supported by 'Paola Manduca, a genetics professor and member of the Genova based ‘New weapons committee’ [...].

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Interview financial expert: more expensive, less to spend, riots in the streets

You have to figure on riots and rebellions taking place, especially in the big cities. Some countries may see revolutions, the Mediterranean countries in particular. At that point government buildings could be set on fire and government employees attacked. You have to consider these kinds of scenarios. In any crisis situation you're going to have people who revolt. In order to see what can happen in a crisis situation we have only to look at what happened in Argentina. People went from being middle class one day to finding themselves below the poverty line the next.

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