Hamas invited to Russia for talks ... More Propaganda or has Putin changed his mind?

Well it had to happen ...

As reported by ... Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

"Hamas lawmaker Halil al-Haya on Thursday claimed, however, that Russia had invited officials from the Islamic group to visit Moscow for talks.

Al-Haya told a Hamas-affiliated Palestinian magazine that the Russian government had officially invited a Hamas delegation, headed by Damascus-based Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal, to Moscow. Al-Haya would not specify the date, but said the visit would be in the coming days."


With Damascus based Khaled Meshal invited it appears that a statement will come out of such talks with clarification as to the new status. It appears certain that Hamas has requested such a meeting.

What do they hope to gain?

The Covert War in the Middle East

The covert war
Middle East has become espionage hub teeming with secret agents
Ronen Bergman
Published: 04.18.07, 16:35 / Israel Opinion


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3389359,00.html

Posturing for a new Middle East ... Is this Just flexing or real muscle?

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US Defense Secretary Robert Gates have flown to the Middle East to initiate the process for a regional peace conference. They are currently in Jeddah Saudi Arabia. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office has issued a statement saying in sum that he hopes "Many Arab countries will attend the summit."

As has been the case in the past, US Presidents seem to get to the Middle East peace process almost after the fact. This seems to be true with this President as we watch the flurry of diplomacy. Rice seems like she is too late despite appearing to have wanted a different (engaged) approach. Gates has some credibility in his tough analysis of the man he replaced (Donald Rumsfeld). Then again this is the man who massively politicized intelligence during the Iran Contra scandal. A National humiliation.

As well, US President George Bush in some corners is considered to be the worst US President ever (at least since Herbert Hoover) Actually this has been a topic of discussion as far back as 2004 or more.

Who will listen to this President at this stage? Can Rice get regional Arab players to attend the summit? The answer might lie with Olmert who appears to be concession ready, as some would say, to save his skin.

related:news.xinhuanet.com

Putin Stabs Hamas in the back, downgrades ties.

We have seen such Global posturing (to the West) in the past, will it last?

Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas that "he is the legitimate leader of all Palestinians," Russian news agencies reported. What made the difference? Why make such a statement now?

Recently, Vladimir Putin has also sided with the West in speaking out against Iran's Nuclear ambitions (as part of the Security Council). Why?

What are the ambitions of Russia? They appear to be playing "all sides" and have little taste for being part of any team.

Can the world leave Russia unchecked in the Middle East?

Examples of Past Propaganda ...

As requested, here are some examples. Of course many more exist and I think that it might be best if I just add links as we go. Propaganda takes form in many ways. Let's make sure it does not animate here ;)

Originally Posted by Cynical-C.

Manufacturing consent

Children (statement by Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
Denouncing the lessons of hate via Palestinian curriculum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsmd4CfgMdM

TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s70KlZwb9RE



Film:
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/004680.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRlypk5OOpc

PallyWood - Manufacturing Consent:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi0rUBx_yio


http://counterterrorismblog.org/mt/pings.cgi/309

Ambulance abuse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDY6m_9ao6Y