IRAN

• The U.S. is not planning an invasion, but is updating its war plans for Iran, an Air Force general says.

• Tony Blair is moving closer to the American position on Iran, saying that there is 'no doubt' Tehran supports international terrorism.

• Human Rights Watch reports that Iranian dissidents are being held with violent criminals.

• An Iranian lawmaker has told a French delegation that any politician elected president would follow the present foreign policy.

• Austria is selling sniper rifles to Iran, and the U.S. ain't pleased.

THE MIDDLE EAST

• Secretary of State Rice suggests a $100/month pension for tribute retired terrorists.

• The P.A. is worried that Hezbollah may kill Abu Mazen.

• Jordan will restructure their defence forces to tackle the challenge of infiltrations from Syria and Iraq, as well as domestic threats.

• Syria wants an advanced anti-missile system from Russia.

• The U.S. is threatening Syria with isolation for backing terrorists.

• The U.S. has appointed an Army General to help train the P.A. 'police'.

THE GULF

• A Saudi proposal for a global centre to "combat terrorism" was endorsed by the U.S. and most (all?) other states attending a conference in Riyadh. The Saudis were also successful in getting the world to agree that suggesting a link between religion and terror served the interests of the terrorists.

• Saudi Arabia has been successful in changing the ideological thinking of more than 250 Al-Qaeda sympathizers. Why are you laughing?

• The Saudi oil minister says it is impossible to attack oil facilities in the Wahhabi kingdom.

• 18 Lebanese members of Hezbollah have been captured in Iraq.

• The U.S. is building forts along the Syria-Iraq border.

• The Carnival of the Liberated is up. News that 95% of Kurds want independence, the debate over an Islamic state, memories of life under Saddam, and accounts of the ongoing struggle for democracy. Well worth your time.

• Fallujah - a Marine Lieutenant Colonel says it is the safest city in the country. He might be exaggerating, and includes his own caveats in his comments, but things might be looking up.

• A fascinating look at how Iraqi troops are being trained to fight like Americans.

THE AMERICAS

• A mosque funded by an NBA basketball player has given more than $80,000 to al-Qaeda, according to the FBI.

• The U.S. will deport a Hamas money-man.

• The terrorist-financing Arab Bank will close their New York office, thanks to lawsuits from the victims of families. Lawyers are trying to prevent the bank from getting their assets out of the country.

• Diplomats and officials say the U.S. is trying to oust the head of the I.A.E.A.. Let's hope.

• Former CIA chief James Woolsey says America's percieved cowardice encourages terrorism.

• Fox and CAIR collaborate to inform Americans that American Muslims do not support terrorism of any kind.

EUROPE

• ETA is being blamed for a car bomb that wounded several dozen people in Madrid. A police sweep has netted 14 suspects.

• The U.K. has released a senior Egyptian jihadist.

• Days after calling a ceasefire for the month of February, Chechen terrorists have attacked a checkpoint and planted a bomb, killing one and wounding at least seven police and military personnel.

• President Bush is seeking funds - $100 million - from Congress to update the Polish military.

• France maintains that Hezbollah is not a terrorist organisation.

• The Dutch Parliament has backed new anti-terror plans. Over 400 million euros will be invested in the fight against terror over the next four years.

• Two Morrocans thought to have been involved in the 3/11 attacks have been arrested in Spain.

ASIA & AUSTRALASIA

• Mamdouh Habib trained with al-Qaeda five times since 1998, the Aussie government says. Too bad they let the guy go, then, isn't it...

• Pakistan has arrested four suspected suicide bombers.

• There is a strong chance Abu Bakir Bashir could walk free.

• Pakistani terrorists were bribed to surrender, according to this report. Worse, the bribes were used by the terrorists to pay back al-Qaeda for money they had taken.

• India may buy new diesel submarines from Russia.

• At least 50 soldiers and Abu Sayyaf terrorists have been killed in the Phillipines.

AFRICA

• The Algerian army is cleaning the GSPC's clock.

• The UN will deploy 10,000 troops in Sudan over the next six months, to monitor the peace treaty between the Khartoum government and the SPLM. The UN also notified Western powers that a peace-keeping force will be required a few years from now to monitor the ceasefire between murdered blacks in Darfur, and marauding Arab militias and Sudanese bombers. Or maybe not. I'm just sick of the Nations United in Ignoring Genocide.

And finally...

• Another account of the GI JOE story.

• The Pentagon sets out ROE for engaging journalists.

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