The potential for an Israeli military strike on Iran over its nuclear programme has grown sharply, but its consequences would be devastating and would lead to a long war, warns a Paul Rogers in this report.* The study follows Israeli reports that Syria is manufacturing Iranian M-600 missiles for Hezbollah, the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu calling Iran “the ultimate terrorist threat” and saying it was a mistake to think Iran’s nuclear ambitions could be contained, and a call from the United Arab Emirates Ambassador in Washington for a military strike on Iran.

* Note: Months before the Iraq War in 2003, Oxford Research Group published a report, “Iraq: Consequences of a War”, also by Professor Paul Rogers, that warned of high civilian casualties, the development of an insurgency, increased support for al-Qaida and widespread anti-Americanism, if the war went ahead.

This report by Forces Watch shows that recruiting of regular soldiers targets children in some of the most deprived areas of our cities. These children are effectively being groomed by the armed forces. An earlier report shows these younger recruits face the greatest risks in Afghanistan.

According to the Ministry of Defence listing of British forces fatalities. In 2009 there were 107 deaths, of which 71 (66%) were infantry personnel. Since the infantry account for only 13.3% of the armed forces as a whole, the statistically significant risk of death for infantry personnel was over 12 times higher than that for other armed forces personnel on average.

Any country claiming to be civilised should not be using child soldiers who are recruited in this way.

The New York Times described the war logs as "a six-year archive of classified military documents [that] offers an unvarnished and grim picture of the Afghan war". The Guardian called the material "one of the biggest leaks in US military history ... a devastating portrait of the failing war in Afghanistan, revealing how coalition forces have killed hundreds of civilians in unreported incidents, Taliban attacks have soared and NATO commanders fear neighbouring Pakistan and Iran are fuelling the insurgency". Der Spiegel wrote that "the editors in chief of Speigel, The New York Times and the Guardian were 'unanimous in their belief that there is a justified public interest in the material'".

The revelations in over 90,000 leaked reports are not exactly surprising. As in most wars civilian casualties far exceed those of regular soldiers. It's also not surprising to hear that politicians are still in denial over the scale of civilian casualties.

The British government is acting unlawfully in refusing to put forward eligible UK companies and individuals trading in Congolese ‘conflict minerals' for targeted UN sanctions, said campaign group Global Witness today in an application to the High Court for a judicial review. The issues at stake have global significance for how wars are financed," said Gavin Hayman, Campaigns Director at Global Witness. "These companies have profited from a brutal conflict, and should face UN sanctions - but sanctions are useless without a fair and clear government procedure for considering whether individuals or entities should be listed."

The presence of repressive regimes at Farnborough air show's trade days makes a mockery of the UK's arms export controls. This weekend, thousands of people will flock to the Farnborough air show to experience the wonders of the latest aerospace technology and aerobatics. Farnborough sells itself as a great day out, but, like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood, Farnborough disguises its deadly intent beneath a friendly exterior. One of it's major functions is to sell arms which often go to repressive regimes. The top dog in this wolf pack is now Vince Cable who, prior to the elections wanted to control the arms industry. As Business Secretary he now has overall responsibility for the government arms sales unit, the UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO). In contrast, the new defence minister, Liam Fox, doesn't try to hide his wolfish nature as he has long been a committed supporter of the arms industry.

Joe Glenton who went AWOL and refused to return to his regiment in Afghanistan on the grounds that the war in Afghanistan was unjust has been released from Colchester military jail today. He has drawn a marked distinction between military commanders and most of the foot soldiers on the ground. He said "some of the finest working-class people are in the military, economically conscripted because there is no work".

No doubt many of the "terrorists" that consitute the enemy in Afghanistan have similar reasons for being involved in this war.

Israel "can check our cargo and certificates, of course they are free to do this," Mr Jaziri said, adding: "If we cannot deliver the aid, we will let Israel deliver it."

The replacement of one United States general by another to lead the war against the Taliban leaves untouched the essentials of a failing campaign.

Five peace activists who caused £180,000 worth of damages to an arms factory were found not guilty after arguing they were seeking to prevent Israeli war crimes in Gaza. They are the latest group of peace and climate-change activists to successfully use the "lawful excuse" defence – committing an offence to prevent a more serious crime – as a tactic in their campaigns.

While the Maliki government, supported by the US, the Kurdish leaderships and the pro-Iranian sectarian parties, maintains its policies of generalised repression, corruption, falsification of facts and generalised lies, Abdul Albayaty argues that it is time Iraqis form a Salvation Government free from outside interference.

Israeli prime minister defiant ahead of visit from US special envoy, George Mitchell, despite deadlock in peace talks

A US governement video showing the cold-blooded murder of Iraqi civilians as seen from a US helicopter has been released by Wikileaks. Clearly the crew think they're playing just another video game and are totally detatched from the real horror of what they are doing to innocent human beings. These Iraqis will not wake up and walk away when the "game" stops.

If you are not clear about why the UK should get rid of its expensive and useless "independent" nuclear deterent, this article by George Monbiot sums up the current state of play. Anyone with any sense could use the money that is wasted on this statement of UK military virility on something that benefits humanity.

According to a report published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute the worldwide arms race has accelerated, most dramatically in South America and south-east Asia, this is despite the economic and financial slump.The average volume of arms sales increased by 22% over the past five years, compared to the previous five-year period, says the report . The last two of these years were marked by worldwide economic turbulence which has far from stabilised, yet the arms trade is booming.The report warns that deliveries of combat aircraft could fuel an arms race in the Middle East, North Africa, South America and South Asia.

Your chance to make the news and contribute to the debate started by Diana Francis in November 2009 with the first of three articles entitled Conflict Transformed? The start of a debate, followed by Beyond stalemate: Replacing the vicious with the virtuous circleand her most recent offering on 21st January is War: justifiable or simply catastrophic? If you would like to comment on these articles or write one of your own go to the Open Democracy 50.50 website and have your say.

Is the Shock Doctrine going to be used in Haiti? Is the US now going to strengthen it's imperial hold on Haiti, and use the natural disaster to push the neocon agenda as wished by the Heritage Foundation. It's an ideal situation to see if Naomi Klein's observations in her book "Shock Doctrine-The rise of disaster capitalism" are put in action following the earthquake. How much of the regeneration money sent from around the world will end up in the hands of US corporations, much as it did in Iraq.

Cameron's blockbuster offers a chilling metaphor for European butchery of the Americas. No wonder the US right hates it. This is comment rather than news but it is very relevant in todays world.

Concerned over the supply of oil to the US and a supposed need to continue the global 'War on Terror', President Barack Obama has essentially maintained the militarised approach to Africa that was the hallmark of his immediate predecessors George W. Bush.

Didn't Pete Seeger sum it up in two of his songs "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy" and "Bring 'em on Home".

Doctors have reported a huge increase in deaths and birth defects in the Iraqi children of Falluja. These are thought to be linked to the massive the American army assault on the city that took place in 2004 in retribution for the deaths of four private security agents (mercenaries) who were working for the Blackwater company in Iraq. Blackwater now operates under the name "Xe". These new health problems in children could be linked to the use of depleted uranium munitions by US forces. At the time the US said the attack had been a huge success, killing 1,200 insurgents. While Many of the city's 300,000 residents had fled for their lives before the assault, an unknown number were massacred in the city. In the aftermath the city was heavily contaminated with the debris of the intensive attack which also involved the use of napalm and white phosphorus.

No matter how much oxygen is pumped by the US, UK and NATO into its mouth. The funeral is to be announced in September 2009.

"I did not see any simple paths to victory while serving on the assessment group that advised the new US commander, General Stanley McChrystal, on strategy, but I did see all too clearly why the war is being lost."

Criticism by highest US military officer of US methods used in Afghanistan

Why So Many American Intellectuals Supported the Iraq War

An article by the youngest woman to be elected to the Afghanistan Government. Because of her views she has been expelled from her seat in parliament. Her message is " I don't believe it is in your interests to see more young people sent off to war, and to have more of your taxpayers' money going to fund an occupation that keeps a gang of corrupt warlords and drug lords in power in Kabul"

The jobs argument dominates the arms debate and is used to brush aside concerns about ethics and wasteful public spending. Clinging to this argument is a Government necessity – it is the only line the UK public will accept when it comes to selling arms. The argument is used because it is believed rather than because it is true.

Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) says the UK government decision to revoke five arms export licences to Israel is a welcome move but far too little, far too late. The licences cover spare parts for guns on the Sa'ar ships which fired into civilian settlements on the Gaza coastline during Israel's assault on Gaza in December 2008 - January 2009.

Israel lobby in UK is embedded at all levels in British political life and at the heart of Government and the security establishment. Corruption runs far deeper than fiddling MPs’ expenses.

What do you think, check the link above and have your vote. Also check out this site for more information on Trident replacement.