Obama Discusses Situations in Iran, Syria, Afghanistan

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2012 – President Barack Obama took questions from reporters at a press conference this afternoon on his administration’s policies and intentions on situations in Iran, Syria and Afghanistan.

“When I came into office, Iran was unified, on the move, had made substantial progress on its nuclear program, and the world was divided in terms of how to deal with it,” the president said.

Over the past three years, he added, “we've been able to … mobilize unprecedented, crippling sanctions on Iran. Iran is feeling the bite of these sanctions in a substantial way. The world is unified; Iran is politically isolated.”

Obama said the United States will not countenance Iran getting a nuclear weapon.

“My policy is not containment. My policy is to prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon because … that could trigger an arms race in the region or give terrorists access to such a weapon,” Obama said, adding that the United States has been in close consultation with its allies on the strategy, including Israel.

Obama met yesterday at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Iran and other issues.

“The argument that we've made to the Israelis is that we have made an unprecedented commitment to their security. There is an unbreakable bond between our two countries,” the president said.

“But one of the functions of friends is to make sure that we provide honest and unvarnished advice in terms of what is the best approach to achieve a common goal, particularly one in which we have a stake,” he added.

If action is taken prematurely against Iran, Obama said, there will be consequences for Israel, for the United States and for the region.

“I do think that any time we consider military action, the American people understand that there is going to be a price to pay,” Obama said. “Sometimes it's necessary, but we don't do it casually.”

Sanctions are starting to have a significant effect inside Iran, the president added, “ … and because the sanctions are going to be even tougher in the coming months, because they're now starting to affect [Iran’s] oil industry [and] their central bank, and because we're now seeing noises about them returning to the negotiating table … it is deeply in everybody's interests -- the United States, Israel and the world's -- to see if this can be resolved in a peaceful fashion.”

The United States will continue to apply pressure, he told reporters.

“To resolve this issue will require Iran to come to the table and discuss in a clear and forthright way how to prove to the international community that the intentions of their nuclear program are peaceful,” the president said. “They know how to do that. This is not a mystery.”

On the topic of Syria, where the government is killing its own people in an attempt to quell a year-long popular uprising of citizens who call for the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, Obama called the violence there “heartbreaking and outrageous.”

The international community has mobilized against the Assad regime, he added, and it's not a question of if Assad leaves, but when.

For the United States “to take military action unilaterally, as some have suggested, or to think that somehow there is some simple solution, I think is a mistake,” the president said.

“What we've done is to work with key Arab states, key international partners -- [Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton was in Tunisia [recently] -- to come together and to mobilize and plan” how to support the opposition, provide humanitarian assistance, and continue the political and economic isolation, Obama said.

“We are going to continue to work on this project with other countries,” he added, “and it is my belief that ultimately this dictator will fall, as dictators in the past have fallen.”

The notion that the way to solve every problem is to deploy the U.S. military is incorrect, the president said.

“We've got to think through what we do through the lens of what's going to be effective,” he added, “but also what's critical for U.S. security interests.”

Taking a question about the inadvertent Quran-burning incident by U.S. troops in Kabul on Feb. 20, Obama said the situation concerns him.

“I think that it is an indication of the challenges in that environment, and it's an indication that now is the time for us to transition,” he said.

The violence directed at International Security Assistance Force service members is unacceptable, Obama said, and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, who is nonetheless eager for more responsibility on the Afghan side, acknowledged that.

“We're going to be able to find a mechanism whereby Afghans understand their sovereignty is being respected and that they're going to be taking a greater and greater role in their own security,” Obama said.

“That, I think, is in the interests of Afghans. It’s also in our interests. And I'm confident that we can execute [that], but it's not going to be a smooth path. There are going to be bumps along the road, just as there were in Iraq,” he added.

None of this is easy, he said, and it never has been.

“I think that President Karzai understands that we are interested in a strategic partnership with the Afghan people and the Afghan government,” Obama said.

“We are not interested in staying there any longer than is necessary to assure that al-Qaida is not operating there,” he added, “and that there's sufficient stability that it doesn't end up being a free-for-all after ISAF has left.”

Afghanistan and the United States “share interests here,” the president said. “It will require negotiations, and there will be times where things don't look as smooth as I'd like. That's kind of the deal internationally on a whole range of these issues.”

Panetta, De Maizière Discuss Afghanistan, Syria, Iran

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2012 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and German Defense Minister Thomas De Maizière responded to reporters’ questions on Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and Israel following a bilateral Pentagon meeting.

Panetta characterized as “extremely helpful” reports that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai stated three-way meetings have occurred among Afghan, U.S. and Taliban representatives.

“It’s always been important for us to make clear that reconciliation has to be Afghan-led,” he said. “What President Karzai’s statement confirmed is that Afghanistan is now very much involved in the process of reconciliation.”

That involvement is essential to determining whether or not it’s feasible to reconcile Taliban former insurgents with a stable Afghan central government, the secretary said.

De Maiziere noted the sensitive nature of such discussions, saying, “These talks will be better, the less we talk about them.”

On Syria, the secretary said he is disturbed by indications al Qaida in Iraq members have infiltrated the opposition there, as Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr. testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee today.

“We have to continue to work with the Arab League and determine what steps should be taken to try to deal with the situation in Syria,” Panetta said.

Defense officials earlier this month declared armed attacks by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime that have killed and wounded thousands of citizens are “utterly deplorable.”

While the United State’s focus thus far has been on applying diplomatic and economic pressure on the Assad regime, the secretary said al Qaida’s attempt to establish a presence in the conflict-riven nation heightens worries about Syria.

“Frankly, our concerns, which were large to begin with … the situation there has become much more serious,” he said.

The extent of al Qaida’s involvement in Syrian opposition forces is unclear, Panetta said.

“A lot remains to be seen as to exactly what their role is,” he said. “Just the fact that they’re present concerns us.”

De Maizière responded to a German reporter’s question on how Germany should respond to rising tensions about possible military action involving Israel and Iran.

“We view the developments with great concern, but also believe the focus of the discussion is too much on Israel and not enough on Iran,” the minister responded in German and through an English translator.

“Iran is the recipient of sanctions, and the sanctions, which were also brought about with the assistance of Germany, are currently as strong as never before,” he continued.

Interested nations should use every opportunity for a peaceful resolution to questions about Iran, he said.

The United States and other nations have grappled in recent weeks to pressure Iran’s leaders to respond to those questions, which include Iran’s possible pursuit of nuclear weapons, regional influence and threatened interference with international traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

“I hope Israel will join the efforts of the international community and will not resort to unilateral action,” De Maizière said. “Germany will also stand by Israel. What this means in concrete terms remains to be seen.”

Panetta said the United States shares common cause with the international community and Israel in concerns about Iran.

“We’ve made it very clear that we will not tolerate their having a nuclear weapon,” the secretary said. “We’ve made very clear they should not close the Strait of Hormuz.”

The international community has joined together very effectively in a number of diplomatic and economic sanctions against Iran, Panetta added.

Iran should “take action to join the international community, and to engage with the international community in a way that can hopefully resolve these issues,” he said.

The United States has always maintained that talks with Iran are desirable, “as long as those talks are constructive,” the secretary added.

“As the president has said, there is time and space for diplomacy,” Panetta said. “But … Iran has to meet its international obligations … and it has to engage in a sincere and constructive way to achieve a diplomatic resolution.”

Panetta: U.S. Presence in Gulf Unchanged by Iranian Threats

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2012 – The U.S. military has continually maintained a strong presence in the Middle East and will continue to do whatever is necessary to maintain peace there, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today.

The Navy’s 5th Fleet and other military forces continue their presence in the area, Panetta said at a Pentagon news conference, but their training and preparations have not changed since Iran threatened last month to close the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route.

“We obviously always continue to make preparations to be prepared for any contingency,” the secretary said. “But we are not taking any special steps, at this point, in order to deal with the situation. Why? Because, frankly, we are fully prepared to deal with that situation now."

Panetta said he continues to hope diplomacy will prevail between the two countries.

“We would hope that any differences that we have … would be peacefully resolved, and done through international laws and international rules,” he said. “We abide by those international laws and international rules; we would hope that Iran would do the same.”

Meanwhile, Panetta said, communication continues. “We have channels in which we deal with the Iranians,” he added, “and we continue to use those channels”

Pursuing diplomacy always is an option, Panetta said. “But in order for that to work, it takes two,” he added. “We’ve always made clear, in terms of any threats to the region, that we’re always prepared respond militarily if we have to.”

Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said at a Jan. 11 news conference that the presence of two U.S. carrier groups in the U.S. Central Command area of operations is just “prudent force posture requirements set by the combatant commander,” and is nothing out of the ordinary. The two carrier groups in the 5th Fleet region continue the nearly constant U.S. naval deployments to the region since World War II, Kirby noted.

“That presence changes all the time,” he said. “It fluctuates based on needs and requirements set by the combatant commander and approved by the Joint Staff and the secretary of defense.”

Panetta confirmed today that he and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak postponed upcoming joint military exercises planned in the area after Barak suggested they needed more planning. The joint exercises have occurred about a dozen times, Panetta said, and the postponement had nothing to do with tensions with Iran.

Panetta Urges Tougher Sanctions on Iran

If you're concerned about terrorism at home and abroad, see the best homeland security books to learn how you can help prevent it!

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today called for tougher economic and diplomatic pressures on Iran in light of a new International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran’s continued nuclear activities.

The United States is in discussions with its allies about what additional sanctions to impose on Iran following the report released Nov. 8 that indicates a continued nuclear weapons program, Panetta said at a Pentagon news conference.

However, referring to remarks he said Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu made today, Panetta said military action against Iran “ought to be a last resort.”

The United States has made clear that it’s “unacceptable” for Iran to develop a nuclear capability, Panetta said. “We have made that point time and time again, and we have taken steps and implemented sanctions to make that clear to Iran,” he said.

However, the IAEA report reflects what intelligence assessments already have revealed about Iran’s continued activities, he said.

“We have always made the point that they continue to try to develop a threshold capability with regard to their nuclear capacity,” he said. “But at the same time, there continue to be divisions within Iran as to whether or not to build a bomb itself.”

“So, in many ways, the IAEA report pretty much indicates that they continue to work on that capability,” he said.

The fact that this respected international organization has come to this determination “raises serious concerns that Iran continues to flaunt international rules and standards,” Panetta said.

The secretary emphasized Iran’s responsibilities as a signatory to the nonproliferation treaty. “They have to abide by international standards … and international rules,” he said.“And obviously, the report from the IAEA just indicates that that is just not the case.”

The findings make it “very clear that additional sanctions need to be applied,” he said. “It is important that the world come together to apply sanctions against Iran and make very clear to them that they are going to pay a heavy price if they continue along this track.”

Panetta expressed hope that Iran will abandon its efforts. “As to what happens down the road, I think our hope is that we don’t reach that point, and that Iran decides that it should join the international family,” he said.

Mullen Launches Middle East Trip in Saudi Arabia

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 20, 2011 – Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived here today for the first leg of a sweep through the Middle East to reassure friends of the U.S. commitment to regional stability, acknowledging he’s been “stunned” by the pace of the upheaval here.

“The speed with which this has happened has really taken me aback,” Mullen said of unrest that has moved through the region, domino-like, in recent weeks. “And I think this speed is going to continue.”

Mullen left Washington yesterday to confer with international and U.S. officials during stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti and Kuwait. Although the trip has been in the planning stages for some time, he said, its nature has changed dramatically based on the current tumult.

Talks are expected to address uprisings that have toppled the presidents of both Tunisia and Egypt and continue to ripple through the region. As during his trip last week to Israel and Jordan, Mullen said, he plans to “reassure our friends and just listen to what’s on their minds” about the situation and to get their views firsthand, particularly concerning Egypt.

Mullen said he comes to the region bringing no message to any particular group, but rather to reiterate the U.S. interest in seeing differences resolved peacefully. “We would certainly like to see what happens happen in a nonviolent way,” he told reporters traveling with him.

Emphasizing the importance of the Gulf region, the chairman said its stability is in everyone’s best interest.

Mullen has office calls scheduled here with Prince Mohammed bin Niyif, Saudi Arabia’s assistant interior minister for security affairs; Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, commander of the Saudi Arabian national guard; Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud, assistant defense and aviation minister for military affairs; and Lt. Gen. Qubail, deputy chief of the general staff.

He also will meet with U.S. Ambassador James Smith.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have had strong military-to-military relations since World War II. U.S. advisors continue to help in training the Saudi military and national guard. The U.S. military training mission to Saudi Arabia and a U.S. program managers’ office for the Saudi Arabian national guard work to help in increasing Saudi military capabilities.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for U.S. defense goods.

The trip is expected to wrap up next weekend in Kuwait City, where a month-long commemoration is observing the 50th anniversary of Kuwait’s liberation and the 20th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm. Coalition forces liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation forces on Feb. 26, 1991, at the end of Operation Desert Storm. Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990.

The chairman’s last extended visit to the region was in February 2010, when he made stops in Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Gates, Israeli Defense Minister Discuss Iran, Regional Security

By Donna Miles

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2010 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met this morning at the Pentagon to continue discussions on a range of bilateral and regional security issues, including the Iranian threat, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today.

The meeting, the defense leaders’ sixth this year, “touched on everything from the recent wildfires in Israel to ongoing peace process efforts to the challenges posed by Iran,” Morrell reported.

Gates last hosted Barak at the Pentagon in April, in talks that also focused heavily on Iran. Appearing at a joint media availability after that meeting, Gates expressed satisfaction with the level of planning by the Defense Department and other elements of the U.S. government to counter threats from Iran. Barak also endorsed diplomatic efforts and sanctions to steer Iran from its nuclear ambitions.

Following today’s visit with Gates, Barak also met with Vice President Joe Biden and National Security Council official Dennis Ross.

Israel's International Airport Selects Rontal's SimGuard for Security Planning

Lod, Israel, October 23, 2007. Rontal Applications Ltd., a developer and provider of innovative incident management and business continuity systems, today announced that its SimGuard 3000 system has been installed at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport. SimGuard 3000 helps Ben-Gurion’s security department in analyzing critical incident scenarios using simulations. The simulations help Ben Gurion Airport estimate threats and take the necessary measures to thwart these threats.

Ben-Gurion is one of the world's most secure airports. In 2006, it handled 9 million international passengers and 405,000 domestic passengers.

SimGuard is a family of groundbreaking incident management systems that intelligently fuse and display real time data to support decision-making processes in the areas of safety, security and business continuity. SimGuard systems include SimGuard 1000 executive dashboard, SimGuard 3000 planning and simulation system, SimGuard 4000 local site incident management system, and SimGuard 6000 multi-site incident management system.

Following the planning and simulation phase, airport security professionals added new devices as necessary. Currently, SimGuard is used at Ben-Gurion to modify and validate existing capabilities and security procedures.

"SimGuard 3000 helps us prepare for emergency situations," said Shmuel Zakai, Head of Security Division, Ben-Gurion Airport. "Thanks to SimGuard, Ben Gurion’s security professionals can analyze and simulate critical incidents.”

"Ben-Gurion Airport’s selection of SimGuard 3000 is a milestone in airport emergency planning, enabling airport officials and staff to prepare for any situation," said Roni Zehavi, Co-founder and CEO of Rontal. "Airports are among the world's most sensitive facilities, and they require optimal preparedness for a large variety of human threats, technical malfunctions and natural emergency situations."

SimGuard 3000 can build a virtual reality model of an actual facility into SimGuard's database. Then, a virtual installation of sensors with real features and characteristics such as cameras, fences, access-control devices, GPS, fire alarm sensors and intrusion detection devices can be carried out. Once completed, the SimGuard system assesses the vulnerability of the relevant site (both outside and indoors), based on the simulation of different potential scenarios for security, safety, facility management, general operations, and business-continuity. These simulations provide information on possible future incidents, their impact on operations and help improve security by preparing contingency plans for different emergency situations. SimGuard 3000 can save high costs by preventing procurement of unnecessary devices that are identified by the system.

About Rontal Applications

Founded in 2003, Rontal Applications Ltd. develops and provides innovative solutions for incident management and business continuity. The company's executives have extensive experience in security and emergency management methods and techniques, as well as in advanced information technologies. Headquartered in Lod, Israel, Rontal is a private company owned by the founders and private investors. For more information about Rontal, visit www.rontal.com .