Bomb Attacks Sweep Iraq Killing Dozens

Deadly Bomb Attacks Rock Iraq For A Third Day -- CNN

Baghdad (CNN) -- At least 43 people were killed and more than 120 injured Thursday in Iraq as a series of bomb attacks ripped through the country for a third day running.

Eight people were killed and 21 others wounded when a car bomb exploded in the southern town of Twareej as a bus carrying Shiite pilgrims passed by, police officials said.

Sixteen more people were killed and another 75 wounded when two car bombs exploded outside popular restaurants in a commercial area of Hilla, about 62 miles (100 kilometers) south of Baghdad.

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More News On Today's Bomb Attacks In Iraq

Scores killed in Iraq blasts -- Al Jazeera
Bombings in Iraq Kill at Least 48 -- New York Times
Iraq bombs take 43 lives -- Gulf Today
Iraq Bombings Target Shi'ite Areas -- Voice of America
Bombings kill Shias in Iraq cities of Hilla and Karbala -- BBC
Scores Dead in Iraq Attacks -- Wall Street Journal

U.S. Sets March Deadline For Iran To Cooperate With IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano attends a board of governors meeting at the UN headquarters in Vienna, November 29, 2012. Voice of America

U.S. Gives Iran Until March To Cooperate With IAEA -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The United States set a March deadline on Thursday for Iran to start cooperating in substance with a U.N. nuclear agency investigation, warning Tehran the issue may otherwise be referred to the U.N. Security Council.

The comments by U.S. diplomat Robert Wood to the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency signaled Washington's growing frustration at a lack of progress in the IAEA's inquiry into possible military dimensions to Tehran's nuclear program.

Iran - which was first reported to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program by the IAEA's 35-nation board in 2006 and then was hit by U.N. sanctions - rejects suspicions it is on a covert quest for atomic bomb capability.

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More News On Iran's Nuclear Program

IAEA Chief Hopes Tehran Meeting Will Aid Diplomatic Efforts -- Radio Free Europe
U.N. nuclear chief sees no progress on Iran concerns -- Reuters
IAEA Questions Iran's Nuclear Intentions -- Voice of America
UN nuclear chief expresses concern for inspectors -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Iran nuclear chief: Uranium enrichment to be stepped up with new centrifuges, reactor -- AP
Iran "will press on with enrichment:" nuclear chief -- Reuters
Iran's nuclear stockpile grows but not yet in "danger zone" -- Reuters
AP Exclusive: Graph suggests Iran working on bomb -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
AP's dangerous Iran hoax demands an accounting and explanation -- Glenn Greenwald, The Guardian
Iran Delay of Reactor to 2014 Gives Talks Time: Diplomats -- Bloomberg Businessweek

Egypt's President Unplugged

Egyptian President Now Rambling about “Planet Of The Apes” In Foreign-Policy Interviews -- Hot Air

On the one hand, he’s nuts. On the other hand, using a tortured pop-culture metaphor for geopolitics suggests he’d make a fine blogger. Is “The Walking Dead” actually an elaborate metaphor for America’s looming fiscal collapse? Your answer to that question will tell you if you’re prepared for the logic bomb that’s about to be dropped on you. (Answer: Yes.)

He does seem to think that the remake of “Planet of the Apes” was terrible, which means he hasn’t lost touch with reality entirely:

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My Comment: When I was reading the Time's transcript of their interview with Egyptian President Mursi .... I was scratching my head and wondering if the translation got screwed up (apparently not). Sighhh .... if this is the type of man who is leading Egypt, Egypt is in trouble .... and if Egypt is in trouble, so is everyone else.

The Time's article is here, the transcript is here.

Aftermath Of A Bombing In Syria (Graphic Video)

My Comment: I have seen many videos from Syria on the conflict .... and while this is not the worse one .... it clearly illustrates how destructive and desperate the Syrian civil war has become.

Who is Supporting The Syrian Government?

Without Iran’s Support, Assad Regime Will Collapse: Report -- Al Arabiya

Iran is increasingly worried about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad regime’s fate and is distraught that the regime is not taking recommendations from the Islamic republic to keep its power, an Iranian report obtained by a Western diplomatic source said.

Iranian forces in Syria are increasingly burdened due to the Syrian regime leaders not following their advices as the situation in the conflict-torn country becomes more chaotic, the report, which was obtained by an embassy of a Western country in Tehran, said.

The report, however, did not mention details explaining the Iranian recommendations given to the Syrian regime.

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My Comment: I would also throw in Russia with their "secret weapon supply routes" .... even though they deny it, and political support from leftist leaders in Latin America.

Civil War In Syria -- News Updates November 29, 2012

Fighting Rages Along Damascus Airport Road -- Al Jazeera

Activists say road closed following heavy clashes, as the internet is shut off across the country.

Battles between Syrian rebels and government troops have reportedly forced the closure of the main road leading to Damascus International Airport.

The news came as the Dubai-based Emirates airline suspended flights to the Syrian capital on Thursday.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said there was heavy fighting "along all the areas along the road" to the airport, southeast of the city.

The activist group said clashes were particularly intense in Babbila, a suburb bordering the rebel stronghold of Tadamoun.

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More News On Syria's Civil War

Syria Live Blog -- Al Jazeera
Syrian internet and phone lines cut as Damascus fighting intensifies – live -- The Guardian

Major Syria army offensive on airport road -- The Australian
Syria Pushes Back as Rebels Advance -- Voice of America
Syrian rebels press ahead on two fronts -- Star Tribune/New York Times
Damascus clashes cut off airport, Emirates suspends flights -- Reuters
Syria conflict: 'Fierce clashes' near Damascus airport -- BBC
Rebel says Damascus airport blocked off, mortars fired -- Reuters

Syria using mines and cluster bombs on civilians: campaigners -- Reuters
Syria alone using landmines in 2012: campaigners -- AFP

Syria rebels have new anti-aircraft missile systems: report -- Daily Star
Officials: Syrian rebels’ arsenal includes up to 40 antiaircraft missile systems -- Washington Post
Syrian rebels muster new air power -- The Australian/The Times
Arms and the Manpads: Syrian rebels get anti-aircraft missiles -- The Guardian

Syria rebels using children in battle: HRW -- The Australian/AFP
Syria Child Soldiers: Rebels Using Children In War - Human Rights Watch -- Huffington Post/Reuters
Syrian Rebels Using Children For Combat: Human Rights Watch -- RTT

In Syria, clashes between Arab rebels, Kurds -- Washington post
As Opposition Coalition Meets in Cairo, More Violence Kills Dozens in Syria -- New York Times
Splits mar start of Syrian opposition talks -- Reuters
Clashes Between Syrian Kurds, Rebels Worry Turkey -- Voice of America
Turkey president says Syrian attack unlikely -- AFP

EgyptAir cancels Friday flight to Damascus -- Reuters
Dubai's Emirates airline suspends Syria flights -- Reuters

Syrians cling to hope amid despair at refugee camp -- Gulf News
Syria crisis: Is the balance of power shifting? -- BBC
Syria: Is the World Waiting for Genocide? -- Ahmed Zewail, Huffington Post

U.S. Considering Deeper Involvement In The Syrian Civil War

U.S. Weighs Bolder Effort To Intervene In Syria’s Conflict -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, hoping that the conflict in Syria has reached a turning point, is considering deeper intervention to help push President Bashar al-Assad from power, according to government officials involved in the discussions.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, hoping that the conflict in Syria has reached a turning point, is considering deeper intervention to help push President Bashar al-Assad from power, according to government officials involved in the discussions.

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More News On The U.S. Considering Greater Involvement In The Syrian Civil War

Obama's Syria Plan Just Got a Little Less Mysterious -- The Atlantic
AP sources: US preparing to upgrade recognition of Syria’s opposition, offer greater support -- Washington Post/AP
Ambassador to Syria Leaves Door Open to Arming Opposition -- Time
US Rethinks Role in Syria -- Newser
National Security Brief: White House Considering Deeper Involvement In Syria -- Think Progress

My Comment: Republican and Democrat senators are unifying around the idea that the U.S. should get more directly involved. What's my opinion .... stay away from Middle East conflicts.