Bush Orders Secret War Against

[jdobbin]

On ABC News tonight.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/0...authorizes.html

The CIA has received secret presidential approval to mount a covert "black" operation to destabilize the Iranian government, current and former officials in the intelligence community tell the Blotter on ABCNews.com.

The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject, say President Bush has signed a "nonlethal presidential finding" that puts into motion a CIA plan that reportedly includes a coordinated campaign of propaganda, disinformation and manipulation of Iran's currency and international financial transactions.

"I can't confirm or deny whether such a program exists or whether the president signed it, but it would be consistent with an overall American approach trying to find ways to put pressure on the regime," said Bruce Riedel, a recently retired CIA senior official who dealt with Iran and other countries in the region.

I'm surprised it took this long to find out it is happening.

[bush_cheney2004]

The US government has been funding "soft revolution" opposition groups (e.g. Reformers) and Farsi language broadcasts for years in Iran. We even spied on them with aircraft delivering aid to earthquake victims.

I'll bet that surrounding Iran with US military forces is also a bit disconcerting.

[jdobbin]

The US government has been funding "soft revolution" opposition groups (e.g. Reformers) and Farsi language broadcasts for years in Iran. We even spied on them with aircraft delivering aid to earthquake victims.

I'll bet that surrounding Iran with US military forces is also a bit disconcerting.

So disconcerting that they will probably accelerate their help of insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[bush_cheney2004]

So disconcerting that they will probably accelerate their help of insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yep...all is fair in Love and War.

[jdobbin]

Yep...all is fair in Love and War.

Seems to me that this just makes Iran's government more popular with its people but good luck with it as a policy.

[bush_cheney2004]

Seems to me that this just makes Iran's government more popular with its people but good luck with it as a policy.

It's a mixed bag....many of the young or educated are fed up with the domestic theocracy crap based on postings from internet cafes. Clearly the US has some takers for the money and propaganda.

Simply part of Destabilization 101. It's not just Bush, but how the USA rolls. Good cop...bad cop.

[jdobbin]

It's a mixed bag....many of the young or educated are fed up with the domestic theocracy crap based on postings from internet cafes. Clearly the US has some takers for the money and propaganda.

Simply part of Destabilization 101. It's not just Bush, but how the USA rolls. Good cop...bad cop.

Each time the U.S. is framed as the enemy, they lose the support it does have in Iran.

Cheney mentioned a military attack again today. I suppose we could see that as an option in the next weeks.

[bush_cheney2004]

Each time the U.S. is framed as the enemy, they lose the support it does have in Iran.

Cheney mentioned a military attack again today. I suppose we could see that as an option in the next weeks.

I seriously doubt that....it's just a baiting tactic...good cop, bad cop....carrot or stick. This is where Dick Cheney excels...a VP with some bite.

Support in Iran will always be fleeting. In the meantime around Iran, where did all these g_damn Americans come from? I thought Osama said LESS infidels?

[jdobbin]

I seriously doubt that....it's just a baiting tactic...good cop, bad cop....carrot or stick. This is where Dick Cheney excels...a VP with some bite.

Support in Iran will always be fleeting. In the meantime around Iran, where did all these g_damn Americans come from? I thought Osama said LESS infidels?

Cheney seems convinced that an attack on Iran would be met with cheering from Iranians happy to have their freedom given to them by the Americans.

[bush_cheney2004]

Cheney seems convinced that an attack on Iran would be met with cheering from Iranians happy to have their freedom given to them by the Americans.

I don't think VP Cheney cares either way about the Iranians cheering, just a change in the status quo. One can usually tell the Iranian stress level by their presidential bark-o-meter. Still, would be a shame to shoot down the last active squadrons of F-14's, ironically flown by Iran.

[M.Dancer]

Cheney seems convinced that an attack on Iran would be met with cheering from Iranians happy to have their freedom given to them by the Americans.

I don't think VP Cheney cares either way about the Iranians cheering, just a change in the status quo. One can usually tell the Iranian stress level by their presidential bark-o-meter. Still, would be a shame to shoot down the last active squadrons of F-14's, ironically flown by Iran.

Spain was flying german messerschmitts and Stukas right into the early 70's (some were used for the movie, The battle of Britain). Franco was allowed to exist just to preserve the history of it all.......

[jdobbin]

I don't think VP Cheney cares either way about the Iranians cheering, just a change in the status quo. One can usually tell the Iranian stress level by their presidential bark-o-meter. Still, would be a shame to shoot down the last active squadrons of F-14's, ironically flown by Iran.

I think he believes that American troops would be welcomed as heroes.

[bush_cheney2004]

I think he believes that American troops would be welcomed as heroes.

Why? VP Cheney is the Godfather of Oil and not taken in by such nonsense. He goes back a long way when it comes to dropping bombs in the sand.

[jdobbin]

Why? VP Cheney is the Godfather of Oil and not taken in by such nonsense. He goes back a long way when it comes to dropping bombs in the sand.

I believe he said that Iraq would hail the U.S. as heroes as well.

[bush_cheney2004]

I believe he said that Iraq would hail the U.S. as heroes as well.

I'm sure he did.....so what? Some Iraqis did hail the troops as heroes...many did not.

[B. Max]

Bush Orders Secret War Against

Iran

Not much of a secret. The NYT will be pissed that someone else beat them to the punch and divulged what seems to be national security matters.

[Topaz]

I read about this two years ago when reading an international paper for Turkey and how the head of the CIA went over and ask Turkey if they would support the US if/when they plan to invade Iran. IF the US goes in the one country they will probably have supporting them is Israel. This will rise the prices of oil but hey, Bush and Cheney will still be making billions off a war. What does Bush and Cheney have to do, have sex with an intern and in lie about before they are impeached???? Do you really think the US military, meaning the fighting soldiers, can handle, mentally and physically, invading another country and fighting for another ten years???? I hope most of them do come home alive and when this war is over for them, you'll see alot of angry guys with the govt and with the citizens and asking why didn't they try to stop the war , like it was done for Nam!!

[M.Dancer]

Everyone always assume that any conflict with Iran will take the form of a ground invasion.

I got to say why? The nuclear targets are well known, their air defenses are poor. So much easier and cost effective is to simply bombard the buggers for a few weeks and let them sort out their nuclear ambitions with the neolithic technology that remains.

Hopefuly we won't have to wait too long

[Black Dog]

I got to say why? The nuclear targets are well known, their air defenses are poor. So much easier and cost effective is to simply bombard the buggers for a few weeks and let them sort out their nuclear ambitions with the neolithic technology that remains.

Every single analysis I've seen points out that Iran's nuke facilities are scattered about, well protected and hard to locate. That's one of the key challenges to the "just bomb it" strategy (if one can call it that). You have to find them to bomb them. And even if you find them and bomb them, you have to be sure that you're going to make a difference. Is there anyone who thinks Iran would not attempt to build redundancies into its program in case of just such a occurrance? That's not even taking into account the myriad other possibile negative repurcussions.

[GostHacked]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/23/...in2843582.shtml

CBS News has learned that Iran is continuing to make progress on its expanded efforts to enrich uranium — in spite of covert efforts by U.S. and other allied intelligence agencies to actively sabotage the country's nuclear program.

M Dancer

I got to say why? The nuclear targets are well known, their air defenses are poor. So much easier and cost effective is to simply bombard the buggers for a few weeks and let them sort out their nuclear ambitions with the neolithic technology that remains.

See Gulf War 1 and the 10 year no fly zones plus sanctions on Iraq. This gave the result of Saddam Hussein's Iraq not being able to revive their nuclear programme.

Bush Cheney 2008

One can usually tell the Iranian stress level by their presidential bark-o-meter

I guess the Bush Administration was in a lot of stress prior to the invasion of Iraq. That bark-o-meter was off the charts, and not even on the charts that mattered.

Damn quotes made me do an edit

[bush_cheney2004]

I guess the Bush Administration was in a lot of stress prior to the invasion of Iraq. That bark-o-meter was off the charts, and not even on the charts that mattered.

.....and then the Bush Administration began biting off big chunks of Iraq.....big difference.

[GostHacked]

.....and then the Bush Administration began biting off big chunks of Iraq.....big difference.

Bit off more than they could chew it seems. Now they are looking at Iran as well to feast on. But slow down boy.

Finish what is on your plate first before you go for seconds.

[bush_cheney2004]

Bit off more than they could chew it seems. Now they are looking at Iran as well to feast on. But slow down boy.

Finish what is on your plate first before you go for seconds.

Slow down boy? Not a chance...didn't get to be the biggest damn dog by slowing down.

[M.Dancer]

M Dancer

I got to say why? The nuclear targets are well known, their air defenses are poor. So much easier and cost effective is to simply bombard the buggers for a few weeks and let them sort out their nuclear ambitions with the neolithic technology that remains.

See Gulf War 1 and the 10 year no fly zones plus sanctions on Iraq. This gave the result of Saddam Hussein's Iraq not being able to revive their nuclear programme.

not sure what you are trying to say

[M.Dancer]

I got to say why? The nuclear targets are well known, their air defenses are poor. So much easier and cost effective is to simply bombard the buggers for a few weeks and let them sort out their nuclear ambitions with the neolithic technology that remains.

Every single analysis I've seen points out that Iran's nuke facilities are scattered about, well protected and hard to locate.

You haven't read enough yet then.....these facilities a large. Try as you might, it's hard to hide a comples the size of a football field.

The one big challenge is some are buried in hardened bunkers. Give them month of air attacks though....

http://www.lastingnews.com/maps/iran_nuclear_facilities.html

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/nuke/RS22531.pdf

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/iran/facility/esfahan.htm