Help With Facebook Comments

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Hola y’all! You know, social media can be pretty complicated, especially Facebook. Some people post so often and such a variety of stuff that sometimes you just don’t know what to say in the comments. Sure, the vast majority of the time all you need to do is “like” someone’s status update, but sometimes it’s necessary to actually say something. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, I’ve decided to make a list of comments that you can just copy and paste as needed. This way you don’t have to stop and think of something to say and can keep on scrolling and sending out game requests…<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFqjSnTxM-hA2JqdpnCtmpYkDF2pEnPZY9kwiOkwGJ9WFdNPeWoUVPO5eM9iBF1XiFbNOqCZz2hcvEzjNLC3ggT2YJjdD3JNIO6XQjugnKkdAGXSbEHfa12I0hTpYu4-5Y-VEg9chHIY/s1600/Claudia_Romani_Bikin_Nude_Hot_Sexy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFqjSnTxM-hA2JqdpnCtmpYkDF2pEnPZY9kwiOkwGJ9WFdNPeWoUVPO5eM9iBF1XiFbNOqCZz2hcvEzjNLC3ggT2YJjdD3JNIO6XQjugnKkdAGXSbEHfa12I0hTpYu4-5Y-VEg9chHIY/s320/Claudia_Romani_Bikin_Nude_Hot_Sexy.jpg" width="152" /></a>- FAKE! <br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Oh BullSHIT! <o:p></o:p><br /><br />- Eww</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Well if it’s on the internet, it MUST be true. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- How YOU doin’ huh baby? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- LOL! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- My deepest condolences to you and your family. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Outstanding! You really nailed the contrast on that one. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- People! They’re the worst! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- What a cute kid! <o:p></o:p><br /><br />- You're a hot mess! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Congrats! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- WTF is wrong with him/her? (Editor’s Note: You’ll almost ALWAYS use “him” in this reply.)<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Oh that’s a bummer! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- That looks delicious! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Woo-Hoo! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- That’s hot. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Nice legs. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnCy3WZ7pdPOF6AdfrpBP-GdRWYiks7JrAv-FFw-y_7dewHwDjxen7HEXNlTAArnW28FWY_iP3-uqI4gRW8R9aIchZoP7KfggZsR7wJhfTV4WeAzS-GsJQ-TJFWgc7C165lneUHL0GY/s1600/Claudia_Romani_Thong_Ass_Nude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnCy3WZ7pdPOF6AdfrpBP-GdRWYiks7JrAv-FFw-y_7dewHwDjxen7HEXNlTAArnW28FWY_iP3-uqI4gRW8R9aIchZoP7KfggZsR7wJhfTV4WeAzS-GsJQ-TJFWgc7C165lneUHL0GY/s320/Claudia_Romani_Thong_Ass_Nude.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Way to go! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Loser <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- You know what? Fuck you! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Passive aggressive post is passive aggressive. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- HA! Well done! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Nice Ass <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Fuck that. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- I love you. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- It’s always something, isn’t it? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Do I know you? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, there you go. This should cover most situations for ya. You’re welcome. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws" target="_blank">@Jayman_IWS</a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">In other news, on IWS we talked about travelling, road trips, summer fun and more this week! We also checked in with Party Marty up in <a href="http://www.putinbay.com/" target="_blank">Put In Bay, Ohio</a>, Billy the Kid down at the Beer Mine, and then a special call from Seal Coat Guy! Totally check out the <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/06/23/ratchet-summer-show" target="_blank">Ratchet Summer Show</a>!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="http://player.cinchcast.com/?show_id=5020373&platformId=1&assetType=single" width="400"></iframe><br /><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;">Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid">IWS Radio</a> on BlogTalkRadio</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Help With Facebook Comments

Hola y’all! You know, social media can be pretty complicated, especially Facebook. Some people post so often and such a variety of stuff tha...

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Slimming Advice For Men

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Tommy Taylor</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>A few men believe the stereotype that 'dieting' is only for girls. That is a shame, since a huge percentage of males are too heavy and also are affected by diet and weight-related illnesses including heart problems, diabetic issues, and even cancer. Although body image pressures may well be less on males than females, a lot of men still would like to shed weight. Many simply have no idea where to begin. Below are a few weight loss guidelines for guys that could offer them the information that they need to make weight reduction an appealing and realistic objective:<br /> <br /> Eat Less Food More Regularly Many men split all their eating between a couple of big meals. Because they're so busy, a lot of men miss breakfast time, have a very measly lunch, then gorge on dinner. This is the complete opposite of how their day should go. More foods needs to be consumed earlier on in the day, with amounts trailing off as the day goes by. On top of that, extra healthy snacks should really be consumed throughout the day which keeps the metabolism burning. Try having five or even six smallish meals/snacks during the day, with more targeted in the first half.<br /> <br /> PROTEIN Shakes or Smoothies Protein shakes or smoothies are not just for bodybuilders or sports athletes. A protein shake is an efficient method of getting a lot of the vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbs that you need for a day inside a convenient, easy, and tasty product. Add a shake to your own early morning or post-workout meals and you will have even more vigor, feel better, and overcome your food cravings.<br /> <br /> Weight Training Many men know about weightlifting, but a lot of them do it for specific motives associated with body image and composition. In particular, too many guys waste countless hours in the gym working on their bicep curls and bench presses. Instead, guys need to focus on entire body strength training to achieve the most reward from their workouts. They are going to use up calories, release far more growth hormone and testosterone, and have a much stronger and much more balanced shape as a direct result. Don't merely focus on the 'glamour muscles.'<br /> <br /> Cheat Day You shouldn't be frightened to mix in a cheat day every so often - a maximum of once per week. It will allow you to discharge a little psychological steam by having some foods you really like. This can also ramp up a metabolism which may have stalled if you've eaten too few calories during the week. If you have reached a plateau in your weightloss, eat a cheat dish in order to reactivate the body.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Shoot For Health And Fitness, Not Weight Inevitably, we wish to slim down because we want to become more healthy. It is thus short sighted to simply concentrate on calories in, calories out if we sacrifice the make up, balance, and healthiness of our diet in the process. Ensure you have a good amount of natural vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants in your diet. Stay away from nasty bad fats, and try restrict your refined sugar consumption.<br /> <br /> Build A Little Physical Exercise Into The Day Park further away and walk the distance, or perhaps take the stairs rather than the lift. This will provide you with modest chances of burning additional calories, and it will mount up gradually.<br /> <br /> Create Rituals As Tony Schwartz has explained, we are unsuccessful at making changes due to the fact many of us depend far too much on our own self-discipline. Strength of mind and self-discipline are usually extremely overrated - the majority of us don't possess as much of these resources as we would like to believe we have. Instead, we ought to create highly repeatable, engaging rituals in our day that are distinct, quantifiable, and measurable.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Discover the <a href="http://bestloseweightplan.com">best weight loss plan</a>. Body wrap to the stars <a href="http://facebook.com/thebodywrap">It Works Body Applicators</a></div><br /> </div><br />

Slimming Advice For Men

By Tommy Taylor A few men believe the stereotype that 'dieting' is only for girls. That is a shame, since a huge percentage of ...

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World of Beers

World of Beers in Key West has over 500 types of beer with over 50 available on draught.<div><br></div><div>I don't drink beer but I sampled a sweet raspberry sample - I think I had tasted this one before in Belgium.  I then had a small glass of cider.</div><div><br></div><div>Ciaran had a glass of beer from Wisconsin - chosen by the bar tender after he asked for something light and summery.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzaco3tNwD3xm96XfRreDqy8F294CKL5-nhNPLqOGgVku1CLsSxVtuIg9FAMpGqyDp9FpWN5QgwH9Ecsu8J40dQsX38dwz0MhKkjvLX8yy4Rw-Z5gVcXCgQ3pTbf-e7grXPU8EbeNYjNx/s640/blogger-image--1344784997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzaco3tNwD3xm96XfRreDqy8F294CKL5-nhNPLqOGgVku1CLsSxVtuIg9FAMpGqyDp9FpWN5QgwH9Ecsu8J40dQsX38dwz0MhKkjvLX8yy4Rw-Z5gVcXCgQ3pTbf-e7grXPU8EbeNYjNx/s640/blogger-image--1344784997.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Edd_Kr_HIOTDlxme-bmV8U1mcLH54ht776mz_OLTOdOl0iUTpn3m5OpKFvPbunoPLC7oh1q7uNE_RMN0l1QJ-_9GInfFJF_e9DrF4Hhr4bQhJr7kZSYQdU_RPWWlUzH7IL0vLSgMwQ6f/s640/blogger-image--1485224598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Edd_Kr_HIOTDlxme-bmV8U1mcLH54ht776mz_OLTOdOl0iUTpn3m5OpKFvPbunoPLC7oh1q7uNE_RMN0l1QJ-_9GInfFJF_e9DrF4Hhr4bQhJr7kZSYQdU_RPWWlUzH7IL0vLSgMwQ6f/s640/blogger-image--1485224598.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-m1GnGM0rkXH657OoDQA9BefA2O8xzk8p1aeCevsyw8q71mXz9AXznfoe4Wy5wms3Q6lmumFTP9TichoCFvrKjpkWRflFfoVkMQwp3iJIqCCF8etVdkjqW75-FZd1yoBkOeVyrhauoggm/s640/blogger-image-1826192379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-m1GnGM0rkXH657OoDQA9BefA2O8xzk8p1aeCevsyw8q71mXz9AXznfoe4Wy5wms3Q6lmumFTP9TichoCFvrKjpkWRflFfoVkMQwp3iJIqCCF8etVdkjqW75-FZd1yoBkOeVyrhauoggm/s640/blogger-image-1826192379.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>

World of Beers

World of Beers in Key West has over 500 types of beer with over 50 available on draught. I don't drink beer but I sampled a sweet raspbe...

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Day 3 so far so good

I've done pretty good today.   I could not believe last night I forgot to eat dinner so I had a healthy snack  <div><br></div><div>Today I went grocery shopping and got a lot of veggies which I love. I also need to think about protein and breakfast.   This will be tough.   I don't like yogurt nor granola bars so I need quick grab and go ideas. Suggestions welcome!!</div><div><br></div><div>Tonight I am having a leafless salad. That means all chipped veggies and no lettuce. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknUbAgQEYJNw0rFrEQaqAQm9OVY_I2uPEtg3BDMtY0wzTjijgs-2cuHxyhUJ26cJN_sDXji6GtqMXiuNx7N_Flpi4S21re1hbZoR4P6b1LhwuAHwBZcuJ2KL0d8JB1QtPHDe0XredDp8/s640/blogger-image-975965698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknUbAgQEYJNw0rFrEQaqAQm9OVY_I2uPEtg3BDMtY0wzTjijgs-2cuHxyhUJ26cJN_sDXji6GtqMXiuNx7N_Flpi4S21re1hbZoR4P6b1LhwuAHwBZcuJ2KL0d8JB1QtPHDe0XredDp8/s640/blogger-image-975965698.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I will be adding a little boiled egg for protein and maybe a little cheese just because I love it.</div><div><br></div><div>Ill be curious how this works after a week. I will not weigh myself for one week. Stay tuned .....</div>

Day 3 so far so good

I've done pretty good today.   I could not believe last night I forgot to eat dinner so I had a healthy snack   Today I went grocery sho...

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Weight Reduction with Capsiplex

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Charles Kate</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>With the number of diet supplements out there, it is easy to get confused as to which is the best supplement for losing weight and which is best for your needs. Our experts have reviewed many products in the market to assist you in making an informed choice on the best supplements for losing weight. Even though some supplements make high and questionable weight loss claims, others contain inferior ingredients which do not work.<br /> <br /> What exactly is Capsiplex?<br /> <br /> Capsiplex is a very effective supplement for losing weight. By taking one capsule per day, you could burn 278 calories which is equal to jogging for 25 minutes. It is intended for those who are too busy to follow extreme workouts or crash diet programs. It is a 100% natural product produced from hot peppers, capsicum and tiny quantity of caffeine. It does not contain any harmful substances or synthetic chemical compounds that make it very safe and secure to use.<br /> <br /> Benefits of Capsiplex<br /> <br /> 1) Can burn to 278 calories per day - Burns calories while you sit at your desk 2) Improves metabolism - Faster metabolic process means your body can burn fat and calories faster 3) Burns carbohydrates and extra fat - Burning carbs and fats results in weight loss. 4) Helps reduce appetite - Makes you feel fuller and reduce your cravings 5) Boosts energy levels - Helps you feel less tired at home and at work<br /> <br /> Capsiplex Ingredients<br /> <br /> The main ingredients are capsicum extract, black pepper extracts (piperine), niacin (vitamin B3) and caffeine.<br /> <br /> Capsicum - Capsicum or red hot chilli pepper has been used for hundreds of years in cooking and in herbal medicine to treat various ailments including circulation and digestion. The heat from Capsicum boosts the body's temperature which then stimulates metabolism by up to 12 times. As your metabolic rate increases, your body starts burning fats and calories naturally in a process called thermogenesis. This results in fast natural weight loss.<br /> <br /> Capsiplex Unwanted Effects<br /> <br /> As Capsiplex is 100% natural product containing 100 % natural ingredients, there are no negative effects. It does not contain any harmful substances or synthetic chemical compounds that make it very safe and secure to use. It was developed by a UK Pharmaceutical Company after years of medical research and clinical tests and is built to prevent any kind of unwanted effects.<br /> <br /> How does Capsiplex work?<br /> <br /> It is a natural fat burner which fits and burns calories while you go about your normal day. However if you combine it with light exercise and nutritious diet you will achieve your unwanted weight loss goals faster and healthier.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Joshpeckweightlosstips.com contains info on weight loss, vitamin supplements and diet programs. For more info, Please visit <a href="http://joshpeckweightlosstips.com/">http://joshpeckweightlosstips.com/</a></div><br /> </div><br />

Weight Reduction with Capsiplex

By Charles Kate With the number of diet supplements out there, it is easy to get confused as to which is the best supplement for losing ...

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Green Tea Supplement Guidelines On How To Keep Your Body Healthy

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Robert D</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>You will see from the labels on all food products which "nutrition" is actually a word that covers every one of the food's nutrients. Here are a few nutrition tips that can shed light for this sometimes-confusing topic.<br /> <br /> Green Leaf Tea<br /> <br /> To improve your health, try skipping the sweet tea and drink green tea instead. Green tea leaf is shown to increase your metabolic process and protect against various forms of cancer. It will also reduce your cholesterol. Don't drink green tea leaf from the box, though. Brew it yourself having a tea bag or use loose leaves.<br /> <br /> When trying to lose weight, it is essential that you keep the metabolism high. Green leaf tea might help. Green tea has components that have been shown to increase your metabolism. Furthermore, spicy foods have been proven to raise the metabolism. Consider adding chili peppers in your food to accomplish this.<br /> <br /> A lot of people love drinking iced tea, but try drinking green iced tea rather than "regular" iced tea. Green tea has polyphenols, that help protect against cancer, reduce cholesterol and get anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Black tea contains polyphenols too, but a lot less than green tea leaf. Green tea extract also offers less caffeine than black tea.<br /> <br /> A great nutritional tip would be to start drinking green leaf tea. Green tea leaf is rich with antioxidants, and research has shown that green tea extract can certainly delay fatigue during harsh exercise. Drinking green tea leaf offers us with increased energy and causes more fat to become burned during exercise.<br /> <br /> Drink a single serving of green tea extract everyday in your daily fluid intake. The caffeine present in tea stimulates alertness and may improve your mood. Green tea extract is also a rich supply of catechins, an antioxidant which scientists believe could control heart problems which will help prevent the formation of thrombus.<br /> <br /> Add green tea to your diet. Green tea extract contains polyphenols, that are powerful antioxidants. It offers anti-inflammatory properties that may protect your skin layer and benefit its general health. Drinking green tea will help you to minimize the damage from sunburn, subsequently reducing the risk of skin cancer. Attempt to drink two cups of green leaf tea every day.<br /> <br /> Drinking green tea extract can contribute to enhancing your nutrition. While a big component of nutrition involves appropriate eating, developing a healthy metabolism can also be essential. Green leaf tea is of course efficient at boosting your metabolism. You must therefore incorporate a cup of green tea leaf within your daily routine, and make sure you use natural tea bags with boiling water instead of instant tea mixes.<br /> <br /> To help you improve your health, ditch all soda, including diet soda. Diet soda contains harmful chemicals and studies show they can can make your system crave more sugar. Instead, drink club soda and give a slice of fruit for flavor. If you want caffeine, try green tea leaf, which is rich in antioxidants.<br /> <br /> This article has given you ways to plan your nutrition around your daily life. Emphasized earlier, if you know how to plan your diet plan you're already many steps in front of the average person. Good nutrition is not merely significant but almost absolutely vital for personal development and growth nutritious diet is the foundation where good living is made.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Before you buy any green tea products online, make sure you check Robert D' excellent free information about <a href="http://www.greenteapros.weebly.com/">green tea supplement</a>, and <a href='http://www.squidoo.com/green-tea-diet5'>green tea diet</a></div><br /> </div><br />

Green Tea Supplement Guidelines On How To Keep Your Body Healthy

By Robert D You will see from the labels on all food products which "nutrition" is actually a word that covers every one of th...

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WHEN WE AIN'T FEELING IT

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QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sometimes we have religious experiences; sometimes we don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Elijah’s experiences were dramatic – like himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He was the original action hero – dispensing justice<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            with lots of violence, explosions, and drama.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">His God was a lot like himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Not surprising in those days.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The human race was still primitive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Their idea of God was primitive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So Elijah’s God was an action hero too – pretty explosive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In today’s lesson, things had been tough for Elijah.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So, like most of us, that’s when he went looking for God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Elijah looked where God lived  -- Mt. Horeb.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In Elijah’s time, God had an address.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was Mt. Horeb, 89406.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Greek gods lived on Mt. Olympus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Yahweh lived on Mt. Horeb,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            which I hear is s one awesome and mysterious place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Elijah’s even more primitive ancestors  worshiped a mountain,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            before they worshiped El Shaddai, the God of the Mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They also worshiped powerful forces of nature like the desert storm, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            the earthquake, and the forest fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So Israel experienced God in those natural dramas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Psalm 97 says:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            “Clouds and thick darkness surround him . . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            Fire goes before him . . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            His lightning lights up the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            The earth sees and trembles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That’s what a religious experience was – God doing dramatic stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When nothing spectacular was happening, they felt cut off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So they prayed in Psalm 83:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            “O God, do not keep silent,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                        be not quiet O God, be not still.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A silent God was an absent God – a God who did not care.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That was Elijah’s religion when he went looking for God on Horeb.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And the dramatic stuff happened. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">There was a windstorm, then an earthquake, and a fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But this time, Elijah just wasn’t feeling it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The wind was just  wind; the earthquake, just an earthquake;      <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            the fire, just a fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And Elijah thought, “Is that all there is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A powerful emotional religious experience is a great thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">God can be in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That’s why religions have a whole panoply of different techniques<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            designed to give us different experiences.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We have born again catharsis, baptism of the spirit ecstasy,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            Cursillo intimacy, contemplative union, or we go to a beautiful spot<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">in nature and say “isn’t it all so beautiful!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We feel a certain way and call it “spiritual.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That’s all good at the time it’s happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But we can get stuck in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We can keep trying to have the same experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We keep going to the same event, trying to feel that way again,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            pretending that we do, but inwardly <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            -- no matter how loud we shout “hallelujah” -- <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">it just ain’t happening for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That’s how it was for Elijah who had always found God <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">in wind, fire, and earthquake.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But this time, God wasn’t there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Then after the powerful forces of nature passed,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            there was a silence, a profound palpable silence <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            -- like the silence of Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">It was precisely the silence that, in Elijah’s religion,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">meant God was absent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But instead of praying,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            “O God, do not keep silent,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                        be not quiet O God,”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Elijah wrapped his face in his mantle as a sign of reverence,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            because he knew God was there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Precisely in the absence of religious experience,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            Elijah believed in God’s presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Different cultures, different faith traditions, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            and different people define religious experience differently.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So which one is right?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Is God really in the wind, in the earthquake, or in the fire?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Is God really in the born again catharsis,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            the baptism in the Spirit ecstasy,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                        or the mystical experience of unity?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And where is God when we are not having whatever kind of feeling <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            we think of as spiritual?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">God is infinitely greater than our capacity for religious experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">God is in our religious experience. We do meet God there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But God is vastly bigger than our feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Theologians from Dionysius in the 6^th Century <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            to Karl Barth in the 20^th Century to John Hick today<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            caution us not to limit God to what we think of<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                        as religion or spirituality.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">At those times when God seems utterly silent, totally absent <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            – at those times we do not feel the least bit spiritual<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                        and have no sense of God whatsoever -- <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                                    God is there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">St. St. John of the Cross was the greatest spiritual master<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> to base his teaching on Elijah.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He taught that  as long as our religion is just about spiritual experiences,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            we don’t love God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We just love the way we feel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Faith comes when we love the God <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">who is unseen, unheard, and unfelt<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> – but utterly and absolutely real.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Spiritual experiences are not false or bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We all start there, but faith outgrows feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Carl Jung had these words inscribed over his door<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            and on his tombstone,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            “Bidden or unbidden God is present.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The great Baptist preacher, Carlyle Marney, told the story <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            of a little boy was trapped by a fire <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                        in his second story bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In the yard below, his father called to him, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            “Jump son, jump. I’ll catch you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The child shouted back, “Daddy, I’m afraid to jump. I can’t see you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“That’s alright,” the father answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            “Go ahead and jump. I can see you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The silent God is present – watching, caring.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The very silence of God is our invitation to faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The very absence of spiritual experience, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            invites us to a deeper encounter with God<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            – just as Elijah met God more profoundly<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                         in the silence than in the storm. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Theologian, Francis Fiorenza, once asked our class, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">“Do you want to have a religious experience,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            or do you want to experience everything religiously?”//<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I have been pondering that question for over a decade,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            and it has finally begun to form into an insight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">So when we aren’t having a religious experience,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">how do we experience all of life religiously?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We intentionally look at everything through God’s eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We just watch without judging.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We observe the world around us with a serene compassion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We do the same with the world inside us.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We watch the thoughts rushing through our minds, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            the emotions passing through our hearts,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">                        the very physical sensations of our bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We meet God -- not by seeing God -- <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            but by seeing everything as God sees it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">God is light -- pure and perfect light.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We don’t really see full spectrum light. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In itself, full spectrum light is invisible.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Instead, we see things illumined by the light.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Just so, we don’t see God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We see the world differently because God illumines it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We see ourselves differently in the light of God’s grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Religious experiences are the divine light refracted into various colors.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">That’s why we have different experiences – all valid.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">But the rest of the time, God is still with us <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            – not as storm, quake, or fire, but silently watching.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">We can know God by joining him in the watch <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">            – by doing nothing – dropping our efforts to be action heroes <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">            -- just watching with God’s infinite compassionate patience.</span><!--EndFragment-->

WHEN WE AIN'T FEELING IT

Sometimes we have religious experiences; sometimes we don’t. Elijah’s experiences were dramatic – like himself. He was the orig...

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My wish for everyone attending #iste13

<p>If I had a wish for everyone at ISTE 2013, it would be:</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rOU3aKu27gw/UccIxac8uvI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/5x1yhFgz4Hw/s972/C1B71406-38D2-4344-B67F-9B11C0CA8088-MOTION.jpg" target="_blank" style=" "><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="376" id="blogsy-1372022355001.3408" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rOU3aKu27gw/UccIxac8uvI/AAAAAAAAJ6g/5x1yhFgz4Hw/s500/C1B71406-38D2-4344-B67F-9B11C0CA8088-MOTION.jpg" width="500"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iste 2013 has opened just now in San Antonio. It is already Trending on Twitter. #iste13</td></tr></tbody></table> <ul> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Look for practical methods to teach.</li> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Technology doesn't engage - YOU DO when you use it well.</li> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. Take notes for ACTION ITEMS you'll do when you return. (I keep a list of my big three.) They should see you learning and engaging at #iste13 like you want to see them engage in your classroom.</li> <li><strong>Remember your health.</strong> If you run yourself down and you get sick, that isn't good for anyone. Pacing yourself is so hard, but take time to get sleep, eat, and rest.</li> <li><strong>Remember your friends</strong>. Take time to say hello to those people who encourage and inspire you.</li> <li><strong>Remember your friends. </strong>Not everyone could go. When you tweet good thoughts and ideas to the #iste13 hashtag, you join the #iste13 pln and inspire and reach others.</li> <li><strong>Remember to make new friends</strong>. Make time in your circle. Seek out people who are alone at ISTE.It is hard to go to a conference alone. Involve and encourage them.</li> <li><strong>Remember the presenters</strong>. Give credit. Look up the presenter's twitter handle or write it down at the beginning so you can cite what they said. It is good manners.</li> <li><strong>Remember the presenters</strong>. Take time to follow presenters and give feedback. When you echo comments, it helps them know what resonated.</li> <li><strong>Remember your profession</strong>. You are teachers and educators. Lots of people are watching. Behave in ways that make your profession proud. We are different and should be. I'm not saying not have fun, I am saying have a blast in ways that honor what you do. If you have on that ISTE badge, behave in ways that you'll be proud of. Tip well. Be kind. Be encouraging. Show San Antonio the nobility of educators. If you act up, for goodness sakes, take off the badge.</li> <li><strong>Remember your students</strong>. They are watching. They are likely watching your stream and your updates. How does this relate to them? Do they see the kind of learner you want them to be reflected in what you share?</li> <li><strong>Remember not to get caught up in the hype</strong>. There are things that give hope and there's hype. Hope usually comes from methods, strategies and people-centric activities. Hype comes in when someone begins to think that technology will solve a problem that requires personal intervention. Lots of things will be hyped - it isn't bad to get excited about new technology, I get excited too - but your hope should lie firmly in best practices and teaching. Seek out how to USe technology not just the technology.</li> <li><strong>Remember yourself. </strong>You are at the center of your own attitude. It is easy to get jealous of others. It is easy to start making excuses. Do what you can - you can do something. There is always someone better off and worse off - doing more and doing less. This isn't a measurement process but a process of improving yourself. Are you better than you were when you left for the conference?</li> <li><strong>Remember your administration</strong>. Give an overview of ideas and your notes to your administrators and peers. Give your administration 3 actions that you plan to do in the fall. Schedule a meeting to answer questions or discuss ideas.</li> <li><strong>Remember the price</strong>. Everything costs you something. Nothing is free. It will cost you your time, sometimes your privacy, sometimes your data. It is time for educators to become laser focused. We've bought into the word "free" and given away far too much in return. Examine the fine print. Read disclosures and terms of service. It is time to wise up that NOTHING is free and to figure out the price of every service we use. Haven't we had enough experiences like Google Reader to wake us up that everything costs SOMETHING. We're working with students and have a responsibility not to be hooked by everything "free" that comes along.</li> <li><strong>Remember to cut yourself some slack. </strong>Most of us are average every day teachers. We're not rock stars. We're not superheroes. We're just teachers and that is enough. So, you don't have a cool name and you don't go to a neat party. You don't remember to get a ticket to the sold out session. There is plenty to do and amazing places to be. You are at iste - a place that many want to be as evidenced by the #notatiste hashtag that is trending on Twitter right now. There are sometimes at ISTE where I feel insufficient. I get tired and feel uncool. This is normal. I also sometimes ignore the stream when I'm not there just because I wish I was there. You are where you are. You are enough. Soak in the learning - there is enough for all of us. Like a coral reef, we are all part of the beautiful ecosystem in a tiny way. Just enjoy the teeming life and color of a great profession on the cusp of transformation. Don't let yourself get down if you don't "feel cool" - if you're there, you're awesome enough already. If you're just following the hashtag and learning, you're "cool enough." too. I just know the maelstrom of feelings that accompany ISTE and hope to spare some of you the emotions.</li> <li><strong>Encourage</strong>. Some of the amazing people you see at ISTE are in tough situations. Many of them take time to blog every day anyway. When you say thank you, you help make the sacrifice worth it. There are times I was secretly considering if the sacrifice of blogging was worth it. It always seems that during those down times, I've gotten an email or a kind word at a conference and it brought me back to reality. Encourage others, please. The world out there isn't kind to educators, so it is our job to be kind and encouraging to each other. With this goes the need NOT to bash. Bashing usually gets back to the one you're bashing. It isn't in good taste. Have dialog about issues, not about people. Most educators and presenters I know are some of the finest people you'll find anywhere. People who work hard every day to make a difference for every kid and teacher who comes their way. Encourage excellence wherever it shows up.</li> <li><strong>Thank</strong>. Thank the volunteers and presenters. It is always a sacrifice.</li> <li><strong>Remember</strong>. Use your external brain to capture notes.. Whether it is in evernote or diigo or whatever, set up a system to capture and remember. Use a personal note for things you want to pull back and review. *REVIEW or something of the sort. Plan ahead to remember.</li> <li><strong>Share</strong>. #iste13 and blog posts are great ways to share. Hoping someone curates an #iste13 magazine on flipboard. (I'm putting mine in my education flipboard magazine and following the #iste13 hashtag.) Live blog. Invite others to participate with you. Be inclusive and transparent.</li> <li><strong>Enjoy</strong>. Enjoy yourself and have fun. This conference is always a highlight.</li></ul> <p>Finally. Please, remember your students. (Didn't I say that already? ;-) They are why our profession exists. It is about them. It is about helping build a bright hope for their future. It is about using technology that will help them learn and engage in the future. ISTE is a fantastic conference and I highly recommend it as a great learning experience. Next year it is in Atlanta and I plan to be there!</p> <p>I look forward to "attending" every year, even when it isn't in person. </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad</a></div>

innovation Technology My wish for everyone attending #iste13

If I had a wish for everyone at ISTE 2013, it would be:   Iste 2013 has opened just now in San Antonio. It is already Trending on Twitter....

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Today's archidose #686

Here are some photos of the <a href="http://www.museumdefundatie.nl/">Museum de Fundatie</a> expansion (2013) in Zwolle, Netherlands, by <a href="http://www.biermanhenket.nl/">BiermanHenket Architects</a>, photographed by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/">Ken Lee</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9117946336/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="480" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/9117946336_dac9927a5b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9117946796/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="480" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2819/9117946796_b9f290c870_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9117947210/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="384" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9117947210_11101986be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9115722351/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/9115722351_514b913579_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><b>Update 06.25:</b> A couple interior shots:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9135964112/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="480" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/9135964112_82cc1824c5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenlee2010/9135963476/" title="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands by Ken Lee 2010, on Flickr"><img alt="Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle, The Netherlands" height="800" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/9135963476_bc9d299169_c.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /><br />To contribute your Flickr images for consideration, just:<br /><blockquote>:: Join and add photos to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/archi-dose/">archidose pool</a>, and/or<br />:: Tag your photos <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/archidose/">archidose</a></span></blockquote>

Today's archidose #686

Here are some photos of the Museum de Fundatie expansion (2013) in Zwolle, Netherlands, by BiermanHenket Architects , photographed by Ken L...

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ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI ALLIANCE AND IRAN Part 3

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mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By <a href="http://www.gloria-center.org/author/mahir-khalifa-zadeh/" title="Posts by Mahir Khalifa-zadeh"><span style="color: windowtext;">Mahir Khalifa-zadeh</span></a></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A key element in the AZERBAIJAN-ISRAEL relationship has been their mutual concern over the Islamic Republic of IRAN. IRAN presents the most serious threat to ISRAEL. As result, Jerusalem has launched a strategy of active diplomacy in the region surrounding IRAN. At a May 2009 conference at the Center for IRANIAN Studies at Tel Aviv University, the former head of the ISRAELI Military Intelligence Directorate Major General Aharon Ze’evi Farkash said, “It is very important to form a coalition with the moderate Sunnite countries which… [fear the] IRANIAN nuclear threat.” In addition, according to ISRAELI analyst Uzi Rabbi, “ISRAEL must conduct active diplomacy in the regions surrounding IRAN,” and “to resist IRANIAN aggression several coalition alliances should be formed.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn42" title="">[42]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Comment by Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring: </span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As mentioned numerous times on this blog, mainstream media and to some extend even alternative media report that IRAN presents the most serious threat to ISRAEL, and that IRAN’S nuclear threat should be a concern for the entire world is mainly a convenient bargaining tool for both, ISRAEL and IRAN. In most likelihood the behind the scene scenario looks rather different. Like with AZERBAIJAN, ISRAEL may conduct secrete wheeling and dealings with the PERSIAN state, a scenario not at all impossible, since ISRAEL’S new political doctrine fosters geopolitical as well as economic alliances with non Arab Muslim stated. After all the two countries, in the not too distant past, had not always been arch enemies. See: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">ARE IRAN AND ISRAEL REALLY ARCHENEMIES, OR IS IT JUST A FACADE? </span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-real-archenemies.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-real-archenemies.html</a>and</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">IRAN SOFTENS TUNE ON ISRAEL</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-improvement-in.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/iran-and-israel-improvement-in.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL’S ARMENIAN, IRANIAN AND AZERBAIJAN EQUATION </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thus, AZERBAIJAN, with its strategic location along IRAN’S northern border, plays an important part of ISRAEL’S foreign policy agenda vis-à-vis the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). ISRAELI policymakers are aware of AZERBAIJAN’S insecurity and mistrust towards IRAN because of Tehran’s aid to ARMENIA, which occupies territory internationally recognized as part of AZERBAIJAN.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In view of these facts, ISRAEL has repeatedly declared that Jerusalem supported AZERBAIJANI territorial integrity. The former ISRAELI ambassador to TURKEY and the ex-deputy foreign minister, Pinkhaz Avivi, said, “Our position is the following: We recognize the principle of AZERBAIJAN’S territorial integrity. We don’t try to hide the fact that our relations with AZERBAIJAN are more intense and rewarding than our relations with ARMENIA and that relations with AZERBAIJAN are strategically important for us.” He also added in an interview, “We have common goals. We understand AZERBAIJAN’S concern with its IRANIAN neighbor better than anyone, and that’s a good ground for rapprochement. Our dialogue with ARMENIA, on other hand, has always been interconnected with our relations with TURKEY.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn43" title="">[43]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TURKEY IS ESSENTIAL FOR ISRAEL’S FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCngVWblHG953iGENfg6hGiAAcu5BfcjDAxkmXGHfH7F-mqA-nw6K9z5yNs7Ne3Rmq23KXTys8Vt4rdBu0YmBSsZZRP7QngvsW0vtj0DkZXcRZwfCkuF_OrL0Mllmr5eKn6RWTeuY_Rq/s1600/israel-turkey-relations-july-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJCngVWblHG953iGENfg6hGiAAcu5BfcjDAxkmXGHfH7F-mqA-nw6K9z5yNs7Ne3Rmq23KXTys8Vt4rdBu0YmBSsZZRP7QngvsW0vtj0DkZXcRZwfCkuF_OrL0Mllmr5eKn6RWTeuY_Rq/s200/israel-turkey-relations-july-2010.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Undoubtedly, TURKISH cooperation is essential for ISRAEL’S foreign and security policy. ISRAEL considers the TURKISH-AZERBAIJANI alliance as a favorable factor for deepening and enhancing security and defense cooperation with AZERBAIJAN despite the cooling of ISRAEL’S relations with Ankara. ISRAEL, for its part, considers the expansion of political and defense cooperation with AZERBAIJAN an influential factor for improving its relations with TURKEY. The ISRAELI military industry is now a major provider of advanced aviation, anti-tank artillery, and anti-infantry weapon systems to AZERBAIJAN. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAELI DRONES FOR AZERBAIJAN </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Furthermore, ISRAELI Aeronautics Defense Systems have helped AZERBAIJAN assemble unmanned aircrafts.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn44" title="">[44]</a> In February 2012, ISRAELI defense officials reportedly confirmed a deal to sell unmanned military aircrafts as well as antiaircraft and missile defense systems to AZERBAIJAN for approximate $1.6 billion.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn45" title="">[45]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">$1.6 BILLION ARMS AGREEMENT THAT PROVIDES AZERBAIJAN WITH SOPHISTICATED DRONES AND MISSILE-DEFENSE SYSTEMS</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/israel-azerbaijan-and-iran.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/israel-azerbaijan-and-iran.html</a>and </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/10/israel-azerbaijan-and-kazakhstan_6.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/10/israel-azerbaijan-and-kazakhstan_6.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WAHHABI ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN AZERBAIJAN?</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL and AZERBAIJAN maintain intense cooperate on security issues as well. In October 2001, President Heydar Aliyev met with ISRAEL’S ambassador, Eitan Naeh, and confirmed that “their positions in the fight against international terrorism… were identical.” According to ISRAELI experts, groups like Hizb al-Tahrir pose a threat both to Jerusalem and to Baku. ISRAELI analysts also argue that some Wahhabi organizations may be operating in AZERBAIJAN. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ORIGIN OF WAHHABISM</b> at:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/08/saudi-arabia-origin-of-wahhabism.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/08/saudi-arabia-origin-of-wahhabism.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ALLEGEDLY, IDF ELECTRONIC LISTENING STATIONS HAVE BEEN SET UP ALONG THE CASPIAN SEA AND IRANIAN BORDER</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Security cooperation between the two countries has entailed intelligence exchanges, data analysis (including satellite information), briefings, and other activities. ISRAEL also trains AZERBAIJANI security and intelligence services and provides security for the AZERI president on foreign visits. Some sources also report that ISRAEL has set up electronic listening stations along the Caspian Sea and IRANIAN border.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn47" title="">[47]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAEL’S next priority is to counter the IRANIAN intelligence network in AZERBAIJAN and in other Muslim countries of the CIS. IRAN has attempted to expand its political influence to its immediate neighbors as well as to intensify intelligence operations, particularly in AZERBAIJAN. According to AZERBAIJANI media reports, the national security services have arrested 22 people who were sent by IRAN to carry out terrorist attacks against the U.S. and ISRAELI embassies, as well as against Western-linked groups and companies in Baku. In February 2012, the AZERBAIJANI Ministry of National Security announced the arrest of a terrorist group allegedly working for IRAN’S secret services. In January 2012, AZERBAIJAN’S secret service arrested two people accused of plotting to kill two teachers at a Jewish school in Baku. In 2007, AZERBAIJAN arrested 15 people in connection with an alleged IRANIAN-linked spy network accused of providing intelligence on Western and ISRAELI activities.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn48" title="">[48]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AZERI-ISRAELI security cooperation is vital and beneficial for both Baku and Jerusalem. The failure of the AZERBAIJANI-ISRAELI alliance to work together to counter IRAN would be irresponsible and would have unpredictable consequences for Baku and Jerusalem. Tehran’s attempts to expand its Shi’i and IRANIAN ideology could have a negative impact on AZERBAIJAN’S potential to be an independent and strong AMERICAN ally in the region. It is clear that the fall of secular AZERBAIJAN would badly damage ISRAEL’S security and AMERICA’S strategic interests. Moreover, this would strengthen IRAN and create a totally new balance of power in the GREATER MIDDLE EAST, particularly in the SOUTH CAUCASUS and CASPIAN basin, as well as in CENTRAL ASIA.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ENERGY FACTOR, ISRAEL AND AZERBAIJAN</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last, AZERBAIJANI energy is a critical factor in ISRAEL’S strategic calculations. In 2011, AZERBAIJAN exported as much as to 2.5 million tons (about 18.5 million barrels) of oil with total worth of $2.1 billon to ISRAEL. Last year trade turnover between ISRAEL and AZERBAIJAN reached $4 billion, making AZERBAIJAN ISRAEL’S top trade partner within CIS countries.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn49" title="">[49]</a> According to Ariel Cohen, ISRAEL “… can benefit from projects designed to bring CASPIAN and CENTRAL ASIAN oil and gas to WESTERN markets as they allow ISRAEL to diversify supply and receive abundant energy at affordable price.”<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn50" title="">[50]</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDzvfNGaSrW9MQ8Vmg4TEmK3AYE5VF5GPjMw8qGWytF5zHbiq8eHeu6FFHXs7YXjBTfMzyRE0IEquCHVboq2NE9c7xmjwSSfyQY-Whi0_nSxLcvptsbnd4q_6gvHa9J1xCCDwG9De0tk0/s1600/800px-Baku_pipelines.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDzvfNGaSrW9MQ8Vmg4TEmK3AYE5VF5GPjMw8qGWytF5zHbiq8eHeu6FFHXs7YXjBTfMzyRE0IEquCHVboq2NE9c7xmjwSSfyQY-Whi0_nSxLcvptsbnd4q_6gvHa9J1xCCDwG9De0tk0/s1600/800px-Baku_pipelines.svg.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI energy cooperation has clearly become an extremely important factor for ISRAEL’S energy security. This cooperation allows for the diversification of supplies of oil and gas and for exploration of ISRAEL’S energy resources. Baku provides Jerusalem with over one-third of ISRAEL’S oil supply.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn51" title="">[51]</a> As a result of former ISRAELI Foreign Minister Lieberman’s April 2012 visit to Baku, SOCAR will start drilling in Med Ashdod, ISRAEL’S oil field, located 16 kilometers off the MEDITERRANEAN coast.  The ISRAELI Ambassador to Baku, Michael Lotem said, “The drilling will begin soon. The work is at a very advanced stage and delivery of a drilling rig to the field is now expected.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_edn52" title="">[52]</a> The project is SOCAR’s first oil-production or drilling operation outside of AZERBAIJAN. The contract allows SOCAR to gain international experience and expand its operations in TURKEY, GEORGIA, ISRAEL, and other countries.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IMPLICATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is well-known that the UNITED STATES has declared the CASPIAN basin as vital to its national interests. In this context, the ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI partnership is an effective tool to strengthen and support AMERICA’S strategic presence in this very sensitive part of the world. Furthermore, the ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI alliance to counter IRAN has strategic importance for U.S. interests, particularly in the GREATER MIDDLE EAST and CENTRAL ASIA. Unlike ARMENIA, AZERBAIJAN and GEORGIA are AMERICA’S allies in the SOUTH CAUCASUS and the CASPIAN basin. The strengthening of AZERBAIJAN’S secular and pro-Western independence should be a strategic priority for U.S. diplomacy in the region.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, the Obama administration’s lack of focus on SOUTH CAUCASUS affairs jeopardizes AMERICA’S strategic interests in the region. Unlike the Clinton administration and the Bush administration, the Obama administration has not been active in managing IRANIAN and RUSSIAN influence in this part of the world. As result of the RUSSO-GEORGIAN war of 2008, the Tehran-Moscow axis effectively decreased AMERICA’S influence in the GREATER CASPIAN BASIN. Now, the axis continues to limit or minimize U.S. political activity and increases pressure on Washington’s allies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Indeed, AZERBAIJAN is under double pressure from IRAN and RUSSIA and needs strong U.S. support to secure its national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. AZERBAIJAN’S pro-WESTERN independence ensures a U.S. strategic presence in the CASPIAN basin and facilitates its power projection deep into ASIA. In this context, AZERBAIJAN is of the utmost geostrategic importance for the UNITED STATES. The loss of a secular and independent AZERBAIJAN, as previously discussed, would badly damage both U.S. and EU strategic interests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GEO STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since the fall of the SOVIET UNION, the historically close and warm relations between Jews and Azeris became a solid base for mutual cooperation between the State of Israel and the Republic of AZERBAIJAN. Both countries are strategically located but in hostile environments. This has strengthened their rapprochement and led to expanded cooperation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Despite strong opposition from Tehran and Moscow, AZERBAIJAN has established a close partnership with ISRAEL. Today, Baku and Jerusalem are partners on a wide range of issues. The insecurity and regional threats have pushed both AZERBAIJAN and ISRAEL to create a strategic alliance that enhances security and defense capabilities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, the future of the ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI relationship depends on the political nature of the ruling power in AZERBAIJAN. IRAN continues its attempts to spread its Islamic Revolution ideology into AZERBAIJAN through Shi’i propaganda, while expanding its intelligence network in Baku and other major AZERBAIJANI cities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The strengthening of pro-Islamist or Shi’i political forces would have a catastrophic impact on AZERBAIJAN’S political future as a secular state and a strong ISRAELI and AMERICAN ally. In this light, the strengthening of ties in all areas is crucial in order to combat IRANIAN influence. It is also of fundamental importance that the AZERI-JEWISH/ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI alliance is cultivated as a long-term and mutually advantageous relationship.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SIGNIFICANCE OF RICHARD MORNINGSTAR’S NOMINATION AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAIJAN</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With its pro-WESTERN foreign policy, AZERBAIJAN is strategically important for U.S. and ISRAELI interests in the GREATER MIDDLE EAST and in the post-Soviet space. Ensuring AZERBAIJAN’S future as a secular, independent state should be a key priority for ISRAEL and the UNITED STATES. It is likely that the new U.S. administration will intensify efforts to support AZERBAIJAN’S independence and territorial integrity in order to position it under NATO’s security umbrella and to protect the strategic WESTERN oil infrastructure in the CASPIAN basin. Richard Morningstar’s 2012 nomination as U.S. Ambassador to AZERBAIJAN was a strategic move aimed to revive and push forward U.S. diplomacy in the SOUTH CAUCASUS and CASPIAN basin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Background Information on RICHARD MORNINGSTAR:</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read below extracts from</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">COMPLEXITY-OF-EASTERN-MED-ENERGY-GAMES</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EURASIAN ENERGY, AMBASSADOR RICHARD MORNINGSTAR AND THE USA’S GEOPOLITICAL AGENDA</span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOKHJ6xSjc0Y9Tfpdy-QuhM8jeF7OjraLfdzxJlF9nGdb85LHbRJvQHP-YsP8bSTyZ2lvjj_gfyYzVQer9zAmE1yBMV6hmzC8t8r3lfZYl8X54x1JdEHi-IdLYXIzns6lZ77cB2MlNY_j/s1600/Turkey_to_israel_pipes.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOKHJ6xSjc0Y9Tfpdy-QuhM8jeF7OjraLfdzxJlF9nGdb85LHbRJvQHP-YsP8bSTyZ2lvjj_gfyYzVQer9zAmE1yBMV6hmzC8t8r3lfZYl8X54x1JdEHi-IdLYXIzns6lZ77cB2MlNY_j/s320/Turkey_to_israel_pipes.gif" width="320" /></a></i></b></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In July 2011 Washington joined the GREEK energy game. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton flew to Athens with energy on her mind. That was clear by the fact she brought along Special Envoy for EURASIAN Energy, Richard Morningstar. Morningstar was husband Bill Clinton’s Special Advisor to the President on CASPIAN Basin Energy Diplomacy. Morningstar, along with his controversial aide, Matthew Bryza, have been the key Washington architects of Washington’s geopolitically-motivated oil and gas pipeline projects that would isolate RUSSIA and its Gazprom gas resources from the EU. Bryza is an open opponent of RUSSIAN Gazprom’s South Stream gas pipeline that would transit the EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN states. The USA seems to have its own agenda regarding GREEKS recent oil and gas discoveries, for three days after Hillary left Athens the GREEK government proposed creation of a new government agency to run tenders for oil and gas surveys and ultimate drilling bids.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EURASIAN ENERGY, AMBASSADOR RICHARD MORNINGSTAR  - </span></b></span></i><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE US SPECIALIST IN “ECONOMIC WARFARE”</span></i></b>:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He was instrumental in backing the controversial B-T-C oil pipeline from Baku through Tbilisi in GEORGIA across to the TURKISH Mediterranean port of CEYHAN, a costly enterprise designed solely to bypass RUSSIAN oil pipeline transit. </span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entire article can be read at:</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/complexity-of-eastern-med-energy-games.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/04/complexity-of-eastern-med-energy-games.html</a></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With regard to any military option to stop IRAN’S nuclear program, AZERBAIJAN continues to attempt to remain neutral. On a May 29, 2012, visit to Tehran, the AZERBAIJANI minister of defense said, “The Republic of AZERBAIJAN, like always in the past, will never permit any country to take advantage of its land, or air, against the Islamic Republic of IRAN, which we consider our brother and friend country.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Indeed, Baku would like to avoid any possible military clashes with IRAN and maintain its neutrality. However, AZERBAIJAN’S actions and pragmatic foreign policy indicate that Baku’s position is more pro-Western than pro-IRANIAN. Baku will thus continue to cooperate with ISRAEL in order to protect and advance AZERBAIJANI national interests.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Mahir Khalifa-zadeh,</b> Ph.D. is a political analyst based in Toronto, Canada. He is affiliated with the Montreal-based Center for Research on Globalization and is a member of the Canadian Political Science Association. He is also Professor of Political Science at the International Eco-Energy Academy (Baku, Azerbaijan) and a regular contributor to international journals on global politics and security. His latest article is “Iran and the South Caucasus: A Struggle for Influence” (Sweden, 2011).</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Notes:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref42" title="">[42]</a> Artak Grigoryan, “Priority Directions in the Foreign Policy of Israel: South Caucasus and Central Asia,” <i>Noravank Foundation</i>, September 22, 2009, <u><a href="http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=3623">http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=3623</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref43" title="">[43]</a> “Pinkhaz Avivi: We Embrace the Potential of Economic Ties with the South Caucasus,” November 7, 2011, <i>Vestnik Kavkaza</i>, <u><a href="http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/19641.html">http://vestnikkavkaza.net/interviews/politics/19641.html</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref44" title="">[44]</a> “Azeris Get Israel UAVs Built Under License,” UPI, October 7, 2011, <u><a href="http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Azeris_get_Israel_UAVs_built_under_license_999.html">http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Azeris_get_Israel_UAVs_built_under_license_999.html</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref45" title="">[45]</a> “Israel Signs $1.6 Billion Arms Deal with Azerbaijan,” <i>Haaretz.com</i>, February 26, 2012, <u><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-signs-1-6-billion-arms-deal-with-azerbaijan-1.414916">http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-signs-1-6-billion-arms-deal-with-azerbaijan-1.414916</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref47" title="">[47]</a> Shamkhal Abilov, “The Azerbaijan-Israel Relations: A Non-diplomatic but Strategic Partnership,” <i>OAKA</i>, Vol. 4, No. 8 (2009), <u><a href="http://www.usak.org.tr/dosyalar/dergi/gm3veLfV7Q5rP83jaIV34UObvarinb.pdf">http://www.usak.org.tr/dosyalar/dergi/gm3veLfV7Q5rP83jaIV34UObvarinb.pdf</a>, </u>pp. 138-56.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref48" title="">[48]</a> “Azerbaijan Arrests Alleged Iran-hired Terrorists,” Fox News, March 14, 2012, <u><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/03/14/22-arrested-in-azerbaijan-in-plot-on-us-israeli-embassies/">http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/03/14/22-arrested-in-azerbaijan-in-plot-on-us-israeli-embassies/</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref49" title="">[49]</a> “Lieberman: The Trade Turnover Between Azerbaijan and Israel Reaches $4 Billion,” <i>Contact.az</i>, April 23, 2012, <u><a href="http://www.contact.az/docs/2012/Politics/04234650en.htm">http://www.contact.az/docs/2012/Politics/04234650en.htm</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref50" title="">[50]</a> Cohen and DeCorla-Souza, “Eurasian Energy and Israel’s Choices.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref51" title="">[51]</a> Jen Alic, “Azerbaijan’s International Energy Aspirations Raise Tensions in Middle East,” <i>Oilprice.com</i>, May 15, 2012, <u><a href="http://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/Azerbaijans-International-Energy-Aspirations-Raise-Tensions-in-Middle-East.html">http://oilprice.com/Geopolitics/Middle-East/Azerbaijans-International-Energy-Aspirations-Raise-Tensions-in-Middle-East.html</a>.</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/Yeru/Documents/Yeru%20GLORIA/MERIA/v17n1/Khalifa-revised-YA-au3.doc#_ednref52" title="">[52]</a> Shahin Abbasov</span></div>

ISRAELI-AZERBAIJANI ALLIANCE AND IRAN Part 3

IRAN AND ISRAEL: REAL ARCH FOES OR JUST A FACADE?  By Mahir Khalifa-zadeh A key element in the AZERBAIJAN-ISRAEL relationship has been the...

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