IRAN TESTS - AGAIN - AT 8:22 A.M. ET:  From The New York Times:

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran on Wednesday test-fired an upgraded version of its most advanced missile, which is capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe, in a new show of strength aimed at preventing any military strike against it amid the nuclear standoff with the West.

The test stoked tensions between Iran and the West, which is pressing Tehran to rein in its nuclear program. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it showed the need for tougher U.N. sanctions on Iran...

...Wednesday's test was for the latest version of Iran's longest-range missile, the Sajjil-2, with a range of about 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers). That range places Israel, Iran's sworn enemy, well within reach, as well as U.S. bases in the Gulf region and parts of southeastern Europe.

COMMENT:  We're impressed by the sheer number of stories about Iran that have appeared in the press in the last week.  President Obama's "deadline" for nuclear talks with Iran to show progress is two weeks away.  So much has been made of this deadline by the administration, especially Clinton and Gates, that any failure to act decisively in January will make the president look foolish and, once again, weak. 

Stand by.  Next month should be very interesting.

December 16,  2009