Wave of bombings kill more than 70 in Iraq

Mods feel free to delete if too O/T but with respect to U.S middle east policy in general the following looks very important and very scary. http://disasteremergencysupplies.com/snafu/2012/01/drumbeats-of-war-us-troops-deploy-in-israel/

Today, the first word about Austere Challenge 12 came to global consciousness. It is the United States and Israel’s biggest joint exercise ever. It will be an air defense exercise. It will test Israel’s Arrow system and our THADD system. But this time the U.S. Navy will ante up a frontline aircraft carrier (which carrier it will be has not been announced) and at least 9,000 military personnel, according to news today from Israeli sources with Mossad and military connections. Same sources say the first elements of the 9,000 have already been flown into Israel, and are bivouacking as this post is being written.

If it doesn't stay hopefully a news topic in its own right can be opened. This could be incredibly important and, after all, this subject tends to get more reads and replies than any other subject in World news.