U.S. Leak on Israeli Attack Weakened a Warning to Netanyahu Analysis by Gareth Porter* WASHINGTON, 4 Feb (IPS) - When Defence Secretary Leon Panetta told Washington Post columnist David Ignatius this week that he believes Israel was likely to attack Iran between April and June, it was ostensibly yet another expression of alarm at the Israeli government's threats of military action. more...   Lawmakers, "Experts" Spin Tales of Iranian Terror in Latin America Analysis by Charles Davis WASHINGTON, 3 Feb (IPS) - Through its ties with Venezuela and other nations in Latin America, Iran is building an anti-U.S. alliance in the Western Hemisphere that poses a direct, imminent threat to the United States, an influential U.S. lawmaker said Thursday. more...   New Rule Puts Brakes on U.S. Public Housing Demolitions Matthew Cardinale ATLANTA, Georgia, 3 Feb (IPS) - Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the publication of a new notice which significantly tightens its procedures for the processing of public housing demolition applications by local housing authorities. more...   Once a Food Chain, Now a Corporate Supply Chain – Part 2 Kanya D'Almeida WASHINGTON, 2 Feb (IPS) - While Indian retailers are losing sleep over the possible entrance of multinationals like Walmart into the dense South Asian consumer market, very little thought has been given to the Indian small farmer, who stands to lose even more at the hands of the world's biggest commercial food retailer. more...   Early End to U.S. Combat Role in Afghanistan Draws Cheers, Jeers, Confusion Jim Lobe* WASHINGTON, 2 Feb (IPS) - U.S. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta's surprise announcement Wednesday that U.S. troops will phase out their combat role in Afghanistan by mid-2013 is drawing mixed reactions, as well as a fair bit of confusion, from both critics and supporters of the 11-year-old war here. more...   "Kitchen Nightmares" Alleged at World's Largest Restaurant Group Ben Case NEW YORK, 1 Feb (IPS) - An organisation of restaurant workers is suing Darden Restaurants, the largest full-service restaurant group in the world, in U.S. federal court, alleging widespread racial discrimination and illegal labour practices. more...   U.S. Group Urges "More Credible" Military Threat Against Iran Jim Lobe* WASHINGTON, 1 Feb (IPS) - The administration of President Barack Obama should take steps to make threats of a possible U.S. or Israeli attack against Iran more credible, according to the fourth in a series of studies released here Wednesday by a 13-man "bipartisan" task force dominated by Iran hawks. more...   Dempsey Told Israelis U.S. Won't Join Their War on Iran Gareth Porter* WASHINGTON, 1 Feb (IPS) - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey told Israeli leaders Jan. 20 that the United States would not participate in a war against Iran begun by Israel without prior agreement from Washington, according to accounts from well-placed senior military officers. more...   Indian Retailers on Edge as 800-Pound Gorillas Come Knocking Kanya D'Almeida WASHINGTON, 31 Jan (IPS) - Home to over 44 million small retailers, many of them family- owned, neighbourhood stores no bigger than 200 square feet, India is a land renowned for its various "wallas" – small traders who produce, hawk, repair or deliver just about anything you could want at any hour of the day or night. more...   U.S. Building Communities Around Sustainable Food Matthew Cardinale ATLANTA, Georgia, 31 Jan (IPS) - With more and more communities in the U.S. South turning to cooperatives as a way to produce and consume food in a sustainable manner, several cooperatives are hoping to expand on what they view as more than just a "shopping experience" but a way of life. more...