Los Angeles Times: After two weeks of furious debate about whether the United States should attack Syria, the arguments on both sides are now clear. Haven’t been paying attention? Still undecided? Here are the most cogent arguments for and against a military strike.
To strike, or not to strike, Syria?
Netanyahu unimpressed by Iranian greetings for Jewish New Year
Reuters: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday dismissed the significance of reports that the new Iranian president and his foreign minister had both issued greetings to mark the Jewish New Year.
US State Department calls for independent investigation of the massacre at Camp Ashraf
Iran Focus: Marie Harf, Deputy Spokesperson of the State Department, reiterated the United States’ condemnation of the horrific attack that took place on September 1 and expressed support for the UN efforts to “conduct an independent fact finding investigation into this terrible event”.
Iran releases Indian oil tanker detained in August
Reuters: Iran has released an Indian crude oil tanker that was detained last month over pollution concerns, an Indian shipping official said on Saturday, ending a dispute between the countries that have historically had strong trade ties.
Afghan troops kill protester near Iran consulate
AP: Officials say Afghan security forces have shot dead one demonstrator outside the Iranian consulate in a western city. Abdul Hamid Hamidi, who is deputy police chief of Herat province, said a crowd of several hundred were rallying on Saturday outside the consulate in Herat city to protest its failure to grant visas.
Iran wants to allay world concern on nuclear issue
AFP: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Friday Iran wants to allay concerns over its nuclear programme, suspected of hiding efforts to build an atomic bomb, and resolve the impasse with world powers.
US bears legal, moral responsibility to stop imminent massacre at Camp Ashraf
PR Newswire: The US Committee for Camp Ashraf Residents (USCCAR) has learned of information indicating Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, directed by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei through Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, is preparing to commit another massacre in Camp Ashraf imminently.
US exempts EU nations from Iran oil sanctions
AP: The U.S. said Friday it was granting six-month sanctions exemptions to 10 European countries so they can restart imports of Iranian crude oil after a year’s hiatus. Japan received a similar exemption after the U.S. said the Asian nation had significantly reduced its oil imports from Iran.
Treasury blacklists six who allegedly evaded Iran oil sanctions
Wall Street Journal: The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday blacklisted six individuals and four businesses, citing their alleged involvement in an attempt to evade Iranian oil sanctions.
Hadley says Republicans should back Obama on Syria strike
Bloomberg: Stephen Hadley, a former national security adviser to President George W. Bush, said Congress should authorize a military strike against Syria even if it risks retaliatory attacks and instability in neighboring Iraq.
