NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 9/18/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN AVAILABLE THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY)

The Saudi Arabian government holding a news conference today to present evidence of Iranian involvement in the attack on its oil facilities early last Saturday morning.

The Iranian government has denied any involvement in the attacks, but the Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed full responsibility for the attack.

The United States issuing a travel warning for visitors to Saudi Arabia following last weekend's attack on oil facilities.

Saudi Arabia has now officially committed itself to the US-led military coalition conducting escort missions for oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.

President Trump is saying there will be "substantial increase" in US sanctions on Iran.

THE NEW US NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER IS ROBERT C.  O'BRIEN CURRENTLY THE US SPECIAL ENVOY FOR HOSTAGE AFFAIRS.  O'BRIEN WAS INVOLVED IN A CASE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO PRESIDENT TRUMP OVER THE SUMMER.

O'BRIEN ATTENDED THE TRIAL OF RAP SINGER A$AP ROCKY IN SWEDEN DURING THE SUMMER.   PRESIDENT TRUMP HAD DEMANDED HIS RELEASE AFTER THE INTERVENTION OF HIS FRIENDS KIM KARDASHIAN AND KANYE WEST.

Iran's government is warning the United States through diplomatic channels in Switzerland that any action against Iran will be met by counteraction.

More from Iran's "Press TV".......LINK

Iran also saying that its President Hassan Rouhani has not received a visa to travel to the United States for the UN General Assembly meeting next week.

Six missiles used in an attack on pro-Iranian forces in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border Wednesday afternoon.   The Al-Bukumal area the site of previous attacks with Israel believed to be behind them.   

Israel's election count continues with a close race and a political deadlock.

More than 90 percent of the vote counted and the Blue and White Party holding a slight edge over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party.    The Joint Arab List is the third largest bloc of votes at this point.

Additional vote counting began early Thursday morning in Israel for military votes, diplomats, prisoners and others not at a normal polling stations for election day.

One potential kingmaker for a new government would be the Yisrael Beiteinu Party of Avigdor Lieberman.   Mr. Lieberman balked at forming a government with Mr. Netanyahu after April's election citing the influence of religious parties.  Lieberman now promoting the notion of a secular government of unity involving Likud, Blue and White and his party.

The Blue and White Party leader Benny Gantz saying he will talk to all parties seeking to form a new government.

Mr. Netanyahu saying he wants a "Zionist government" without Arabs.  Speaking later Wednesday Netanyahu spoke of the need to avoid a "dangerous" government.

A special post following Israel's election continues to be updated from time to time......LINK

Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden says it was a choice between violating his non-disclosure agreement or the Constitution of the United States.

Snowden, who now lives in Russia, told a video linkup arranged by Germany's "Zeit Online" that when he took an oath of service it was not one to defend the intelligence agencies:

"We do have a very dramatic oath of service.  And this is what I did on my first day-I swore allegiance or loyalty not to the CIA, not to the intelligence community, not even to the government of the United States, I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States."

In 2013 Snowden revealed to journalist Glenn Greenwald a program of massive US government surveillance of the communications of private citizens.

A Russian military official says stability will come to Syria only after a total withdrawal of US military forces from Syria.

Colonel General Mikhail Mintzintsev saying:

"In our opinion, unlawful presence of the United States and its allies on the territory of Syria only aggravates the crime situation and hinders recovery of peaceful life in the country."

More from Russia's Tass News Agency......LINK

President Trump acting to stop California from setting its own emissions standards for cars.    The stricter standards made cars more expensive.

Trump calling on automakers to adhere to a new national standard less stringent which should make cars less expensive and create more jobs.

The President warning in a tweet that if American automakers do not produce cars with lower emissions standards they will be:

"out of business"

The Federal Reserve Board acting to lower interest rates Wednesday.     The prime rate lowered one-quarter of a percentage point.  The Fed acting amid concerns over a slowing economy.

And that's the way it really is for this Wednesday September 18th.