Introduction to the evening news 29-12-2011

The Higher Defense Council’s report sparked further confusion and left pending questions on the presence of members of Al Qaeda. Instead of revealing information the report spoke broadly, calling for deterring arms smuggling, controlling the security situation in border regions, halting violations and countering terrorism. This report makes it seem as if the council has fallen under the influence of the Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn’s detractors on one hand and the remarks put forth by the Syrian ambassador who called for tighter measures against the arms smuggling without buckling under international pressure, on the other.     

Meanwhile, the prime minister went on the defensive, deflecting attempts to weaken the powers of the premiership both direct and indirect.       

With little new developments in Syria amid continued violence under the watchful eye of the Arab monitors it seems Iran is trying to shift attention to the Gulf. A war of words and posturing erupted between Iran and the U.S. a few days ago over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for oil exports. An Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander said that they do not accept these American threats and that “any threat will be responded to in kind”.     

Still in the Gulf, the White House announced a $29.4 billion deal with Saudi Arabia for the sale of Boeing-made F-15 fighter aircraft, saying that this deal will create thousands of jobs in the U.S. and promote stability in the Gulf region.