NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 1/8/2020

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY)

TONIGHT IN BAGHDAD TWO ROCKETS LAUNCHED INTO THE "GREEN ZONE" WHERE IRAQI GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND FOREIGN EMBASSIES ARE LOCATED INCLUDING THE US EMBASSY.

MORE FROM THE FRENCH NEWS AGENCY AFP AS PUBLISHED BY THE "TIMES OF ISRAEL".....LINK

ALSO A LOCAL TELEVISION STATION REPORTING ONE OF THE ROCKETS LANDED NEAR THE US EMBASSY.    THIS PICKED UP BY RUSSIA'S TASS NEWS AGENCY....LINK

President Trump appearing at the White House and announcing a response to the Iranian missile attack last night in Iraq that is more words than actions but does include new tougher sanctions against Iran and an appeal to Russia and China to adopt an anti-Iran stance.

The President taking a more North Korea style stance towards Iran with his tough sanctions accompanied by suggestion of negotiations with Iran over nuclear issues.     Negotiations that would lead to an agreeement to make Iran "great".

The President's statement is at this video link.......VIDEO LINK

(COMMENT:  THE MUTED NATURE OF THE PRESIDENT'S RESPONSE IS NECESSITATED BY THE MUTED NATURE OF IRAN'S RESPONSE LAST NIGHT.     THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ANTI-IRAN ALLIES WERE NOT ABLE TO TRIGGER A "PEARL HARBOR" STYLE ATTACK IN RESPONSE TO THE SOLEIMANI ASSASSINATION)

"For now, a slap was delivered on their face last night"

"What is important is that the seditious American presence in the region must end"

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei spoke in Tehran today after last night's attack aimed at the US military in Iraq.   Retaliation for the US assassination of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani last week.

Iraq says some 22 missiles were fired by Iran last night and that there were no Iraqi casualties in the attack.

The Iranian missile strike was around 2 am local time this morning, 7 pm Eastern US  time Tuesday.

Meanwhile shortly after taking off at 942 pm Eastern US time Tuesday night, 612 am local time Wednesday from Tehran a Ukrainian airliner crashed.     All 176 on board are dead.

An early statement from Ukraine's embassy spoke of engine failure on the plane but that statement has been withdrawn.    The aircraft a Boeing 737 NG.

82 of the dead Iranians and 63 Canadians along with other nationalities.

Iran is going to hold onto the "black box" of the aircraft and will not turn it over to the United States or the aircraft manufacturer Boeing, opting to lead the investigation itself.

THE US FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ISSUED AN ADVISORY LAST NIGHT THAT AIRCRAFT SHOULD NOT FLY OVER IRAN, IRAQ OR THE PERSIAN GULF BECAUSE OF TENSIONS BETWEEN THE US AND IRAN.    RUSSIA'S AVIATION AUTHORITY HAS ISSUED A SIMILAR WARNING.

IN ADDITION FRANCE ISSUED A WARNING TO ITS NATIONALS TODAY NOT TO TRAVEL TO IRAN.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul, Turkey today with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdgoan and the leaders of Bulgarian and Serbia.     The occasion the commissioning of the Turk Stream natural gas pipeline that carries Russian natural gas to southeastern Europe.

LATER IN THE DAY PUTIN AND ERDOGAN MET AND ISSUED A CALL FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN THE LIBYAN CONFLICT AT MIDNIGHT JANUARY 12TH.

TURKEY SUPPORTS THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL ACCORD IN LIBYA AND RUSSIA SUPPORTS THE OPPOSITION LIBYAN NATIONAL ARMY.

MORE FROM 'TASS"......LINK

"And you, did you see Pearl Harbor coming?"

One of many quips from former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn's news conference in Beirut today.

Ghosn discussing why he fled Japan where he was being held awaiting trial for alleged financial irregularities. 

Ghosn maintains that he was framed by jealous rivals inside Nissan and that the Japanese justice system presumed him guilty from the moment he was arrested.

He also noted:

"I did not want to become the new Louis XIV"

From inside the Royal Family, a surprise announcement.   The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, stepping back from their current role in the family.

They posted a statement on Instagram today saying they will seek to become financially independent and will split their time between the UK and North America.

Its reported that this announcement has caused "hurt" among other royals.

The BBC has more.....LINK

For now that's the way it really is Wednesday January 8th, 2020.