I check DEBKAfile frequently, keeping my saltshaker firmly clenched in one fist. Sometimes they do have something, although it's hard to pick the wheat from the chaff.

Today, this terse item caught my eye:

Israeli security and intelligence sources: No Scud missiles batteries detected in West Iraq which is under constant surveillance.

Since the motivation of DEBKAfile often seems to be to fan the flames of anti-Arab efforts on the part of the U.S. and others, this stood out like a sore thumb, especially considering that U.S. sources have claimed such missiles are in fact being placed.

When I looked, I found this Israeli position confirmed by more mainstream news sources.

What's this all about? Is Israel trying to pour a little water on the fires of tension? Why? Is Israel right, or Fox News?

To be sure, later on in the DEBKAfile report, it is pointed out that there are plenty of long-range weapons that can hit Israel just fine from central Iraq:

The threat to Israel does not come from West Iraq but long-range missiles and aircraft positioned in central region – all capable of delivering biological and chemical substances.



They are: Al-Hussein and Samoud-2 whose range Russian A2 rocket engines have extended to 600 km; Mirage F-1, Mig-21 and Mig-25 fighter craft; Czech L29 trainers and guided drones of Czech and German manufacture.



Another big load of thanks to Russia, Germany, France, and the Czechs.