World Headlines | 06/25/2009 9:30 am

Iran Election Crisis, Iraq Bombing and North Korea Missile Threat on July 4th

Are the situations in the Middle East and North Korea out of the hands of the United States?

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Protesters in Tehran © Getty Images

Tensions continue to build in Iran and abroad, but what, if anything, can the United States do to mend this?

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad directly accused U.S. President Barack Obama of interfering in Iran’s affairs. Meanwhile Obama has received criticism from Republicans who say that he isn’t doing enough to settle the violent crisis unfolding there. After watching video of the death of Neda Agha-Soltan this week, Obama said at a press conference that he was disgusted by the fundamental injustice in Iran. Funeral arrangements for 26-year-old Agha-Soltan, who was fatally gunned down on a Tehran street, have been postponed. And an Iranian state-run news agency reports that Neda was mistaken for a terrorist’s sister, CNN reports.

According to the Kalemeh website, which is associated with Mir-Hossein Mousavi, 70 university professors were taken into custody after meeting with the opposition leader. Pressure to seek to end the protests continues to build on Mousavi’s shoulders. The Basij militia continues to use whatever means necessary to silence the opposition.

In other parts of the Middle East, nine United States soldiers were wounded in Baghdad on Thursday when two roadside bombs exploded. The bombings came just days before U.S. combat troops were to leave the war-torn country in the hands of Iraqi security forces.

Despite the Japanese media reporting that North Korea intends to launch nuclear missiles toward Hawaii on July 4, U.S. officials are "downplaying" the threat, according to CNN. North Korea has warned mariners to avoid areas around the Sea of Japan at certain times between June 24 and July 9 – because of a "military firing exercise." On Wednesday North Korea threatened to "wipe out" the United States after U.S. seamen tracked a North Korean ship suspected of trying to transport weapons to Burma. They have considered the interference a declaration of war, Sky News reports.

10 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

We, the public, are not privy to what is being done in some of these situations because we shouldnt be. The powers that be need to evaluate, analyze and determine what is real and what is supposition or the public would be in a constant state of panic. There might be a lot of truth to the July 4th threat and, I am sure, the White House isnt just sitting on the porch sipping lemonade.

We cant be everywhere, at all times. We have to have watchdogs at the gates of these countries and let them do their work. If we jump the gun, the gun just might go off and that would cause irreversible damage. Be ready and watchful and always remember the clock is ticking.

By Judy K. on 06/25/2009 9:51 am

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N Korea is bloviating as usual—they know we can nuke them back to the beginning of time so the threat is hollow to say the least.

By f p on 06/25/2009 10:04 am

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fp poor great leader. The Iranians are taking his press time and he wants it back:(

By S G on 06/25/2009 10:09 am

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I have to agree with fp on this one. N. Korea is merely testing this administration. If he tosses a missile towards Hawaii….we have him surrounded and the idiot knows it.

By deber B on 06/25/2009 10:10 am

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N Korea just can’t stand being out of the spotlight they are all bluff and bluster! So much going on all at one time I’m just grateful we have a President who has a cool head and will take things slowly and carefully and put things into perspective.

By caj p on 06/25/2009 10:13 am

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Here we go again. What the heck is the President supposed to "mend" or "settle"?? Of course, Ahmadinejad wants the USA to voice in, so he can remind the Iranians that the Great Satan is at work again and behind all of this. The President has made a good call so far. His GOP critics just need something to make noise about. Since they enjoy hearing their own voices so much, maybe they could weigh in on Sanford’s problems.

North Korea is another story. That little troll wants to wipe our country off the face of the earth. The likelihood of that happening seems remote, but one should never underestimate a crazy person. Judy is correct. Our defense department knows far more than anyone here. No doubt North Korea is being monitored very carefully.

By Maggie W on 06/25/2009 10:15 am

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Thank you - I agree. My understanding is we have no formal ties with Iran at this point in time. We have been going through third parties in order to communicate with the President there. My question also is what do people want President Obama to do. I watched the view the other day and E. Hasselbeck was asked the same question and she said she didn’t know but just something. Yes, people are dying and we are a witness (as is the rest of the world) to violence and opression. It is sad and maddening to see democracy and freedom of speech and the press destroyed before our eyes. But that is Iran - a sovereign country. The people there were in charge of their protest and put themselves in harms way for what they believed in. And for the first time the world was a witness to the countries bravery. Not every body wants our intervention - they might prefer to actually stand up for themselves.

North Korea is another story as you say and, no doubt, being monitored very carefully.

The GOP proves again they are the party of no.

By Bethany Christian on 06/25/2009 1:48 pm

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Our Military does infact have NoKo “surrounded” yet the worry of a deployment of a nuke looms. Yes we can retaliate; but at what initial loss of live (Japan, South Korea or, as threatened, Hawaii?). Hopefully our intelligence community (remember folks…the ones possibly “outed” to fulfill campaign rhetoric about Gitmo) is on top of this.

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 06/25/2009 1:37 pm

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Can someone explain to me how it is that I am just now finding this thread???? It’s been around for 2+ days.

Are the folks who posted before me recipients of an RSS feed?

By Andrea Brandon on 06/27/2009 5:54 pm

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how can we not see the signs of the times? read the bible (KJV). accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. nothing or no one else will get you into the kingdom of heaven. you have the gospel now. don’t turn on it. please

By john poitras on 06/30/2009 9:07 pm