WSJ: Iran Protesters Defy Clampdown Demonstrations flared up in Tehran and other big Iranian cities on Thursday evening, ending a week of effective clampdown on street protests, as thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets and clashe...

REUTERS: Israeli report: U.S., Israel strike settlement deal An Israeli newspaper reported on Wednesday Israel had won agreement from the United States for the continued construction of 2,500 housing units in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, ...

www.stratfor.com By George Friedman This weekend's newspapers were filled with stories about how the United States is providing ballistic missile defense (BMD) to four countries on the Arabian Peninsula. The New York Times carried a front-page...

www.stratfor.com By Scott Stewart For the past few years, STRATFOR has been carefully following the imbroglio over the Iranian nuclear weapons program and efforts by the United States and others to scuttle the program. This situation has led to...

HAARETZ: Assad: Israel leading the Middle East to war Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Wednesday that Israel is not serious about its intentions to make peace with Damascus as evidenced by "its conduct which is leading the region to war."......

REUTERS:  U.S. Calls Iran Rocket Launch 'Provocative Act' ..."A launch like that is obviously a provocative act," White House spokesman Bill Burton told reporters. "But the president believes that it is not too late for Iran to do the right...

AFP: Hamas wants talks with US, Europe: Haniya ..."Hamas is ready to dialogue with the world, international community, the US, the (Middle East) Quartet and the Europeans," Haniya said Wednesday..."They have to recognise us first, the right of the...