Scary Movie 2: PAUL KRUGMAN - Attacking Iran
The New York Times | OP-ED COLUMNIST
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: February 12, 2007
Attacking Iran wouldn’t be the first catastrophic mistake this administration has made, and there are indications that, at the very least, a powerful faction in the administration is spoiling for a fight.
Attacking Iran would be a catastrophic mistake, even if all the allegations now being made about Iranian actions in Iraq are true.
But it wouldn’t be the first catastrophic mistake this administration has made, and there are indications that, at the very least, a powerful faction in the administration is spoiling for a fight.
Before we get to the apparent war-mongering, let’s talk about the basics. Are there people in Iran providing aid to factions in Iraq, factions that sometimes kill Americans as well as other Iraqis? Yes, probably. But you can say the same about Saudi Arabia, which is believed to be a major source of financial support for Sunni insurgents — and Sunnis, not Iranian-backed Shiites, are still responsible for most American combat deaths.
The Bush administration, however, with its close personal and financial ties to the Saudis, has always downplayed Saudi connections to America’s enemies. Iran, on the other hand, which had no connection to 9/11, and was actually quite helpful to the United States in the months after the terrorist attack, somehow found itself linked with its bitter enemy Saddam Hussein as part of the “axis of evil.”
So the administration has always had it in for the Iranian regime. Now, let’s do an O. J. Simpson: if you were determined to start a war with Iran, how would you do it?
"... last year Donald Rumsfeld set up a new “Iranian directorate” inside the Pentagon’s policy shop. And last September Warren Strobel and John Walcott of McClatchy Newspapers — who were among the few journalists to warn that the administration was hyping evidence on Iraqi W.M.D. — reported that “current and former officials said the Pentagon’s Iranian directorate has been headed by Abram Shulsky.”"
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Two things to pay attention to: first, notice that the briefing just refers to Iranian support of generic "extremists," without specifying Sunni or Shiite, or who is allied to whom. Second, notice that there also isn't specificity about where in Iraq these EFP attacks on U.S. forces have occurred -- which might provide a sectarian hint as to who in Iraq is behind them.
I remember hearing something about it some time ago - and unless I am mistaken it had something to do with israeli weapons manufacturers.
I am not sure, however, whether it was this particular type of weapon - my memory of it is vague.
I do remember distinctly that it was 'armor piercing.' And I am almost certain that israel was involved.
A product of American leaks to the IRA. This went down in the 80's some time. Then made it's way from that era to the insurgency now in Iraq by who knows what means. If in fact this IED problem originates with CIA spooks suppling the IRA with help will if true be just deserts for the Waring Yankies.
"Bush is a nutty guy. It was his insistence on democratic elections in Iraq that put the Shi'a in control. Now he's blaming Iran for trying to capitalize on the consequences. This is not a regime that thinks things through very sensibly."
Sun Feb 11, 5:02 PM ET
White House officials are taunting Iran into an action the United States could use as an excuse for an attack, a former security official told Newsweek, the magazine reported.
"They intend to be as provocative as possible and make the Iranians do something (the United States) would be forced to retaliate for," Hillary Mann, former director for Iran and Persian Gulf Affairs at the National Security Council, which reports to the White House, told the New York newsweekly.
US relations with Iran have chilled since President George W. Bush placed Iran on an "Axis of Evil," alongside North Korea and Iraq under Saddam Hussein, in a January 2002 speech.
Earlier on Sunday, Bush administration officials in Baghdad claimed that Iranian-built bombs smuggled into Iraq had killed at least 170 US and allied soldiers since June 2004.
US officials also claim Iran is enriching uranium to make nuclear bombs, while the Islamic Republic claims the nuclear fuel will make electricity.
The New York Times reported Friday that administration officials were concerned about especially lethal roadside bombs built in Iran, which borders Iraq.
The New York daily said its sources insisted they were not laying the basis for an attack on Iran.
Top American General Disputes US Military Claim
qrswave et al: Maybe what follows will jog your memory a little more. If you go back a few months of Slumber, I'm sure you will find Ellendra Jane, for one, climbing all over this. You must surely remember this bastardized spelling of a name for one of three great archangels. Now they have turned it into a name for the Angel of Death you are seeking. I believe you need look no further... http://www.blacklistednews.com/view.asp?ID=1263
Black Listed News / Rafael
Propaganda General Outed As Anonymous Iran Briefer