Why Iran 'meddles' in Iraq
Is Tehran's supposed involvement malign, or are its interests in the war legitimate?
By Adam Shatz
ADAM SHATZ is literary editor of the Nation.
LA Times
THIS TIME AROUND, when the Bush administration presented "intelligence" from unidentified sources about a dangerous foe in the Middle East, the American media was noticeably more skeptical. Eager to redeem themselves for the generally obsequious reporting about Saddam Hussein's alleged weapons of mass destruction and ties to Al Qaeda, journalists don't want to get fooled again as the administration lays the groundwork for a possible war against Iran.
But even though journalists have quite rightly raised questions about the credibility of the intelligence and the motives behind its release, they have failed to take the next step and examine the fundamental underlying premise behind the administration's accusations: that Iran's role in Iraq is inappropriate.
Take, for instance, the New York Times' Feb. 13 editorial, "Iran and the Nameless Briefers." While demanding that President Bush "make his intentions toward Iran clear," warning against "another disastrous war" and questioning the administration's assertion (since retracted) that "the highest levels of the Iranian government" authorized the sale of armor-piercing explosives to militants in Iraq, the paper added, as if it were self-evident: "We have no doubt of Iran's malign intentions. Iran is defying the Security Council's order to halt its nuclear activities, and it is certainly meddling inside Iraq."
(There is more, here.)
By Adam Shatz
ADAM SHATZ is literary editor of the Nation.
LA Times
THIS TIME AROUND, when the Bush administration presented "intelligence" from unidentified sources about a dangerous foe in the Middle East, the American media was noticeably more skeptical. Eager to redeem themselves for the generally obsequious reporting about Saddam Hussein's alleged weapons of mass destruction and ties to Al Qaeda, journalists don't want to get fooled again as the administration lays the groundwork for a possible war against Iran.
But even though journalists have quite rightly raised questions about the credibility of the intelligence and the motives behind its release, they have failed to take the next step and examine the fundamental underlying premise behind the administration's accusations: that Iran's role in Iraq is inappropriate.
Take, for instance, the New York Times' Feb. 13 editorial, "Iran and the Nameless Briefers." While demanding that President Bush "make his intentions toward Iran clear," warning against "another disastrous war" and questioning the administration's assertion (since retracted) that "the highest levels of the Iranian government" authorized the sale of armor-piercing explosives to militants in Iraq, the paper added, as if it were self-evident: "We have no doubt of Iran's malign intentions. Iran is defying the Security Council's order to halt its nuclear activities, and it is certainly meddling inside Iraq."
(There is more, here.)
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1 Comments:
Great article … especially the part that Iran made overtures for dialogue in 2003 that Condi Rice “just doesn’t remember.” That story is not getting enough attention.
Don’t we forget that various news agencies have reported that the United States has been conducting secret reconnaissance missions inside Iran and that the Iranian government is concerned the U.S. is helping opposition groups in order to create instability.
So we should not be surprised that after last week’s DOD “presentation” on EFPs (explosively formed projectiles) that Iran would blame America for the death of 11 Iranian Revolutionary Guards … See Kim Murphy’s report in today’s LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-iran19feb19,1,2916062.story?coll=la-news-a_section
Bush’s deal with North Korea reinforces the strategy that Iran will continue its nuclear program. The next president will be saddled with mega-problems due to Bush’s refusal to directly engage with Iran … and Syria. The only hope is that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee takes charge and improves relations … hint – that means Coleman better get on a plane and visit Syria.
Congress is now determining foreign aid – pegged at a 12% increase overall. Shouldn’t there be some sort of strings tied to resolving the Middle East question ??? After all we are supplying most of the players in the region – Israel will get $2.4 billion: Egypt will receive $1.3 billion in military aid as well as $415 million in civilian aid; Jordan will receive $264 million in economic aid as well as $200 million in military aid; while Lebanon will get $52 million. Note the difference in Billion and Million. Meanwhile Iran is offering aid to Iraq as the two countries have signed agreements covering military aid and cooperation, major infrastructure projects, including the construction of an oil pipeline that will send Iraqi oil to Iran for refining and an airport in the holy city of Najaf for Iranian pilgrims, and other aid programs, including schools, medical clinics, and mosques
SOURCE : http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3362402,00.html
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