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Please read the entire article..it is your must read for today, but in the mean time, I will highlight it:
The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran’s influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort…
The new “kill or capture” program was authorized by President Bush in a meeting of his most senior advisers last fall, along with other measures meant to curtail Iranian influence from Kabul to Beirut and, ultimately, to shake Iran’s commitment to its nuclear efforts…
The administration’s plans contain five “theaters of interest,” as one senior official put it, with military, intelligence, political and diplomatic strategies designed to target Iranian interests across the Middle East…
The White House has authorized a widening of what is known inside the intelligence community as the “Blue Game Matrix” — a list of approved operations that can be carried out against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. And U.S. officials are preparing international sanctions against Tehran for holding several dozen al-Qaeda fighters who fled across the Afghan border in late 2001. They plan more aggressive moves to disrupt Tehran’s funding of the radical Palestinian group Hamas and to undermine Iranian interests among Shiites in western Afghanistan.
In Iraq, U.S. troops now have the authority to target any member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, as well as officers of its intelligence services believed to be working with Iraqi militias. The policy does not extend to Iranian civilians or diplomats. Though U.S. forces are not known to have used lethal force against any Iranian to date, Bush administration officials have been urging top military commanders to exercise the authority…
Officials said U.S. and British special forces in Iraq, which will work together in some operations, are developing the program’s rules of engagement to define the exact circumstances for using force. In his last few weeks as the top commander in Iraq, Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. sought to help coordinate the program on the ground. One official said Casey had planned to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a “hostile entity,” a distinction within the military that would permit offensive action…
In interviews, two senior administration officials separately compared the Tehran government to the Nazis and the Guard to the “SS.” They also referred to Guard members as “terrorists.” Such a formal designation could turn Iran’s military into a target of what Bush calls a “war on terror,” with its members potentially held as enemy combatants or in secret CIA detention.
Allah has this:
The aim, obviously, is to beat back Iran influence across the region until they’re back to this point and are ready to make a deal on nukes. Like the surge, it’s a good idea that’s years too late. Unlike the surge, which will be led by Petraeus, it’s being run by Bush’s same old crew. I have no faith in them at this point to anticipate contingencies or react effectively when they occur, so color me reluctantly, cautiously pessimistic.
Then again, we’re not the only one waging multi-front war against them right now. If Iran is the Third Reich in the administration’s analogy, then it’s obvious who the Soviet Union is. Once again we find ourselves allied with an evil empire, but like Don Rumsfeld once (almost) said: you go to war with the force multipliers you have.
More from WaPo:
With the Shia majority in Iraq now running the country, the Arabs now have to confront Iran directly. And that they are doing. Saudi Arabia is supporting the Palestinian Fatah organization against the Iranian supported Hamas. Saudi Arabia is also using its money to support Sunni Arab, and Christian, factions in Lebanon, against Hizbollah, the Shia minority and its Iranian backers. Saudi Arabia is also giving support to the Sunni Arab majority in Syria. For decades, the Saudis tolerated the Shia minority that ran Syria. No more. The situation has changed, especially with Iran gaining speed in its effort to build nuclear weapons.
The Saudis are even, secretly, cooperating with the Israelis.
Allah:
The Saudis are even, secretly, cooperating with the Israelis.
Needless to say, the real levers here are economic. If the Saudis start killing them with cheap oil and we push stronger sanctions through the UN (admittedly unlikely), then they’re looking at increased defense spending to meet our escalation and a lot less revenue with which to do it. Cold War redux. Sweet.
Exit question: Is this “war” in lieu of, or a preface to, war on Iran itself?
Update: Second exit question, per the WWII comparison: if the “Soviets” succeed in driving the “Nazis” out, what kind of Wahhabist presence will be left in each of these countries when the dust clears?
Please take the time to absorb this and let me know your thoughts.
- Gun Toting Liberal ™ » Blog Archive » In escalating U.S.-Iranian war, President Bush URGES U.S. troops to kill Iranian “operatives” in Iraq
- Bill’s Bites
- Old War Dogs
- “7.62mm Justice” ™ » US Troops Going After Iran in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine
- Blogs of War
- Confederate Yankee
- JammieWearingFool
Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, The Random Yak, Right Truth, Adam’s Blog, basil’s blog, Stuck On Stupid, Phastidio.net, The Bullwinkle Blog, Pursuing Holiness, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, The HILL Chronicles, third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, stikNstein… has no mercy, Pirate’s Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, Renaissance Blogger, The Pink Flamingo, and High Desert Wanderer, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
January 26, 2007 - 10:06 AM on January 26th, 2007
It’s about time, the Iranians attack us because they think we can’t do anything to them other than a full scale invasion, which they think we’re afraid to do. I think we should take it a step further and do what they do to our forces in Iraq. Set up proxies to recruit the would be suicide bombers against Iraqi and Israeli interests and trick them into attacking Iranian interests. What’s good for the goose…
January 26, 2007 - 10:55 AM on January 26th, 2007
Caught in the act…
Yes, the little one and his duck were caught up on the counter (presumably after my mouse, which he insists is his personal plaything) with the perfect “uh-oh” look. He does delight in getting up on the counter with lightning fast precision…
January 26, 2007 - 11:37 AM on January 26th, 2007
[...] ***** Right Voices has linked to this post with WaPo: U.S. declares war on Iran in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine [...]
January 26, 2007 - 12:14 PM on January 26th, 2007
Tancredo: Ban Racial Based Caucuses
Taking a position guaranteed to make liberals wonkerdoodle, presidential candidate Tom Tancredo has stated that congressional caucuses based on race should be banned
Rep. Tom Tancredo called today for abolishment of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, B…
January 26, 2007 - 12:41 PM on January 26th, 2007
[...] Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Is It Just Me?, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Random Yak, Big Dog’s Weblog, Right Truth, Adam’s Blog, basil’s blog, Stuck On Stupid, Thought Alarm, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Phastidio.net, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, Sujet- Celebrities, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Woman Honor Thyself, stikNstein… has no mercy, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Pirate’s Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, Renaissance Blogger, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, High Desert Wanderer, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe. [...]
January 26, 2007 - 12:58 PM on January 26th, 2007
On Boats, and The People Who Miss Them
While driving to work this morning I caught a few minutes of the Laura Ingraham show - a rare experience due to the (one-mile) length of my ordinary commute, but one I enjoy when circumstances permit. When I tuned in, Laura Ingraham was interviewin…
January 26, 2007 - 01:09 PM on January 26th, 2007
environmentalists and the Global Warming Scare
At TWA, we’re having a discussion in comments about the environmentalists and Global warming, and as usual, I refer to the scientists at the Institute for Creation Research. I am naturally ridiculed, as leftists start with their wailing using so…
January 26, 2007 - 03:13 PM on January 26th, 2007
Tennessee Guardsmen to get honor (FOR STAYING ALIVE) after border incident….
CLICK THIS LINK FIRST
In it’s continuing commitment to emasculate and demean the National Guard. An award ceremony is to be held for The Guardsmen who “followed their rules of engagement” and Retreated in the face of armed Drug smuggl…
January 26, 2007 - 03:33 PM on January 26th, 2007
A Solution to Iraq
Jerry Pournelle offers a solution to the Iraq situation that I can live with…
…
January 26, 2007 - 08:31 PM on January 26th, 2007
Itching to Enrich
What exactly is going to deter Iran from going forward with its ambitious plans? Harsh language?
January 26, 2007 - 08:39 PM on January 26th, 2007
Perry Seeks TSU Fix
I’ve written more than once about the pathetic excuse for an educational institution that is Texas Southern University. It isn’t that there are not good people there — I acknowledge that there are — but rather that the powers that…
January 26, 2007 - 08:44 PM on January 26th, 2007
Tailgating A Crime At Super Bowl
The NFL promotes tailgate parties at every stadium in the league. Indeed, it is one of the attractions of the gameday experience. But at the Super Bowl this year, tailgating is banned even at venues not part of the…
January 26, 2007 - 08:47 PM on January 26th, 2007
Why The Fairness Doctrine Is A Bad idea
After all, it isnt that liberal talk radio is suppressed it is that it isnt commercially viable. Al Franken, Randi Rhodes and Sam Seeder articulate liberal pundits don’t sell well, even in Santa Cruz. The trio are…
January 26, 2007 - 09:11 PM on January 26th, 2007
Reminiscent of German deception during WWII
The countermeasure was to ask the approaching force questions only an American would know the answer to.
January 26, 2007 - 09:56 PM on January 26th, 2007
We have better options. The Ayatollahs who run the country are getting a tad weary of Mahmoud’s posturing. They learned from the first Gulf War exactly how hard the US can hit them if we choose. UNlike Saddam, they DON’T have a secret service that is effectively brutally repressing the opposition to their rule and there are a LOT of disenchanted college students who want the freedoms that they see others getting in western nations. The Ayatollahs have basically planned to oust Mahmoud before his term expires and are fearful of a US backed uprising like the one against the Shah that put them into power 28 years ago. I don’t know if a military coup is possible in Iran, but a popular uprising has been brewing there for years. It wouldn’t take much to ignite that powder keg. Mahmoud has been fiddling with the fuse and a box of matches for months. What really worries me is what happens if Mahmoud refuses to leave office? THAT could be disastrous for the world.
January 27, 2007 - 01:06 PM on January 27th, 2007
Weekend Updates…
John Kerry sez “Wah!” and John Edwards welcomes you to “John’s Lounge” in the “Other America” of Socialist elites…etc.
January 27, 2007 - 01:13 PM on January 27th, 2007
Local Dem Blogger/Activist Opposes Military In Houston
Well, John has always been a part of the “US military out of Iraq” crowd. Now he seems to have joined the “US military out of Houston” crowd. Ellington AFB, home of the Texas Air National Guard 147th Fighter Wing,…
January 27, 2007 - 01:19 PM on January 27th, 2007
Child Abuse at War Protest
The liberal idiots who reside in this country decided to exercise their First Amendment right to assemble in protest of the war. There were a number of people there including the very aged Jane Fonda who is a traitor to this country and should have be…
January 27, 2007 - 01:47 PM on January 27th, 2007
Angelina Jolie and Children Hovering Over Wal-Mart
This photo provided by Chelsea Galleria shows a painting Blessed Art Thou,
January 27, 2007 - 05:21 PM on January 27th, 2007
The Path to 9-11
The progressive blogs are predictably having a hissy fit. A quick look around the blogsphere and I can tell you they are having a bona fide meltdown. Remember how mad Clinton got when the movie first aired? The reaction is enough to let you know ther…
October 16, 2007 - 02:21 PM on October 16th, 2007
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