Thursday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 12.15.2005:

Iran's President Suggests Israel move north to Alaska...

Michael Scott Moore, Spiegel Online:

Should Israel move to Alaska? Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad once again called for Israel to be moved on Wednesday. And this time, he went ahead and denied the Holocaust as well. But why? SPIEGEL ONLINE went to Iran expert Ali Ansari for answers. ...

At issue, once again, are comments made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Israel, Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday, should be moved out of the Middle East -- a reiteration of similar comments made a week ago which earned him a rebuke not only from world leaders, but also from the United Nations. This time, though, he went a step further and referred to the Holocaust as a "myth."

Speaking before thousands in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan, Ahmadinejad said, referring to Europeans, "Today, they have created a myth in the name of the Holocaust and consider it to be above God, religion and the prophets." In reiterating his demands from last week that Israel be moved, he said, "This is our proposal: give a part of your own land in Europe, the United States, Canada or Alaska to (the Jews) so that the Jews can establish their country." READ MORE

Other media reports:

• The New York Times reported that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that the Holocaust was a myth.
• CNN.com reported on Germany's warning over Ahmadinejad's most recent remarks.
• ABC News reported that the United States and European Union has expressed outrage and shock after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad described the Holocaust as a "myth".
• The Daily Telegraph reported that Sharon's spokesman Raanan Gissin said "Thank God, Israel has the means at its disposal to bring about the downfall of this extremist regime in Iran. There will be no second 'final solution'."

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Reuters reported that President Bush called Iran a "real threat."
• Hemscott reported that Condi Rice said Iran is a problem that must be dealt with. Plus full text of her speech to the Heritage Foundation. A must read.
• Amir Taheri, New York Post reported that as Iraqis prepare to go to the polls, the media have focused on the insurgent and terrorist threats, the real dangers that Iraq faces may be elsewhere.
• Claudia Rosett, The Wall Street Journal reported on the murder of a brave and respected Lebanese journalist, just days after a Hebollah rally calling for his death.
• The Washington Times discussed Iran's undeclared war.
• The Telegraph reported that Ahmadinejad has packed his government with former security and intelligence officials responsible for serious human rights abuses.
• The Economist asked: How should a theocratic state raise awareness of a lethal virus that is commonly spread through sexual promiscuity?
• And finally, a Cox & Forkum cartoon, a Jay Leno comedy video interview with an Iranian astronaut and photos of the latest demonstration in Tehran.