Iran set to sign non-aggression treaty with regional countries: Official
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 18 Mar 2010
Summary: no warIran’s Parliament Speaker Advisor on International Affairs Hossein Sheikholeslam said Iran is ready to sign non-aggression treaty with all regional countries. source: ISNAread more

The Iran Threat in the Age of Real-Axis-of-Evil Expansion
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 18 Mar 2010
Summary: In short, while nuclear-armed Israel and its patron commit aggression, dispossess, and threaten more of the same, they have managed to transform nuclear-weapons-free Iran into the “threat” that the UN and IC worry about. source: Monthly Reviewread more

Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader: A Discussion on Healthcare, Politics and Reform
Democracy Now - 18 Mar 2010
Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio announced on Wednesday he would switch his vote on the Democrat-led healthcare reform bill and support the legislation even though it does not create a public option. Kucinich’s decision came two days after he spoke with President Obama aboard Air Force One on their way to a rally in his district. In a Democracy Now! exclusive, we spend the hour with Kucinich and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader for an in-depth discussion on healthcare, the Obama administration, the Iraq war and more. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Headlines for March 18, 2010
Democracy Now - 18 Mar 2010
Healthcare Bill Gets Boost as 2 Dems Pledge Support, Senate OKs $18B Jobs Bill, Obama Downplays Israeli Settlement Dispute, Lula Backs Palestinian Struggle in West Bank Visit, Thai Guestworker Killed in Gaza Rocket Attack, 5 Jailed US Citizens Charged in Pakistan, Penn. Regulators Probe Suspected Drilling Contamination, Senate Backs Reduction of Drug Sentencing Disparity, Report: Insurance Company Had Policy Targeting HIV-Positive Policyholders, US Reviewing Restrictions on Gay Blood Donors, Detroit to Close 44 Schools, Witnesses: Madoff Assaulted by Fellow Prisoner, Muslim Scholar to Make First US Appearance Since Lifting of Ban

The UK’s misguided advice to Lebanon
Electronic Intifada - 18 Mar 2010
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rOne would think that the British government—considering its history in the Middle East of colonizing and partitioning the land and overthrowing governments, and its current support of undemocratic and dictatorial regimes while occupying two nations in the greater region—would be wary of sending its representatives to offer advice to Arab nations on how best to achieve their right to self-determination. Matthew Cassel comments.

Palestinian anger fills the streets
Electronic Intifada - 18 Mar 2010
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rQALANDIA, occupied West Bank (IPS) – On Tuesday tens of hundreds of Palestinians of all political persuasions took to the streets, alleys and sidewalks as widespread rioting and protests spread across occupied East Jerusalem, the rest of the West Bank, Gaza and into Israel proper.

Storm over Israeli settlements as unreal as the peace process
Electronic Intifada - 18 Mar 2010
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rSince Israel announced yet another new settlement in occupied East Jerusalem during the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden last week, Israel has been subjected to a storm of criticism from friend and foe alike. Biden was in Jerusalem to show US support for Israel and to launch “proximity talks” between Israel and the Palestinian Authority of Ramallah. Instead the Israeli announcement caused him and the US administration deep embarrassment, prompting several officials to term it an “insult” and an “affront” and to stir talk of the worst crisis in US-Israeli relations in decades. Hasan Abu Nimah comments.

DFLP’s Saleh Zeidan: Obama’s speech should become action
Electronic Intifada - 18 Mar 2010
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rSaleh Zeidan, Gaza-based leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), spoke to The Electronic Intifada correspondent Rami Almeghari about chances for peace in the region following the latest failures and setbacks in United States peace initiatives. This is part of an occasional series of interviews with various political figures and factions in Palestine.

Iran ready for nuke fuel exchange inside country
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 18 Mar 2010
Summary: Iran has said it is ready for a one-shot nuclear fuel exchange on its own soil, edging closer to the conditions of a plan drawn up by the UN atomic watchdog last year as major powers mulled a new round of sanctions. source: Afp, Ap, Tehran/ Beijing read more