The latest round of war-pimping comes to you courtesy of Dr. Richard Saccone, a retired Air Force captain who served as a counterintelligence consultant in Iraq and teaches international relations at Saint Vincent College in Pennsylvania. This article was originally published by USA Today but can also be found at worldthreats.com.
"An objective look at the ominous threat from Iran provides a clear solution to the policy the United States must pursue."
The author of any truly 'objective look' would not be so bold as to attempt to portray Iran as an 'ominous threat' when the evidence points to the contrary. On the other hand, the author of a distinctly partisan appraisal might be tempted to use such phraseology in a vain attempt to add substance to a flacid line of argument.
"Iran is easily the most significant source of terror worldwide,"
Once again, anyone coming from an objective perspective would conclude that the most significant source of terror worldwide is the United States, followed closely by its ally/proxy/master (take your pick) - Israel.
"providing financing, training, advice, support and supplies to its proxy Hezbollah"
The extent of Iranian backing for Hezbollah has yet to be properly demonstrated. Even if Iran is backing Hezbollah, so what? The amount of financing, training, support and supplies finding its way from Iran to Syria/Southern Lebanon pales when compared against the billions of dollars looted from the pockets of the U.S. taxpayer to provide funding, training, advice, support and supplies to a state that was born from terrorism and lived by it for every day of its miserable existence.
"as well as other groups as far away as Asia."
What groups? Where? Do you have any hard evidence to back up this specious claim? By the way, "Dr" Richard... look at a map of the world some time. Asia is not that far away.
"That makes it a major opponent in the war on terror."
Any opposition to your "war of terror" is to be applauded, in my opinion.
"In addition, Iran has increased efforts to undermine the U.S. mission in Iraq through operations in the south as well as in Baghdad."
Again you fail to back up apparently factual statements with anything resembling supporting evidence. Just like the weapons of mass destruction that magically failed to appear during the invasion of Iraq, the extent of Iranian involvement in Iraq may well be vastly over-stated in order to provide war pimps like yourself with the opportunity to once again beat the drums of war.
"It has dared to confront the United States,"
How dare it do that! After all, the United States is the paragon of virtue, the model civilisation, a shining example for the world to follow. Actually, the United States is a bully, and like all bullies, it needs to be confronted.
"stirring Shiite sectarian violence"
The internecine violence is the result of a deliberate strategy on the part of the occupiers and has nothing whatsoever to do with Iran.
"and providing Shiite militias with advanced weapons and knowledge of constructing sophisticated explosive devices for use against U.S forces."
The I.E.D.s used against the U.S. forces and others may fufill their intended purposes, but they are anything but sophisticated. Those who possess the advanced weapons and sophisticated explosive devices are those who illegally invaded a sovereign state.
"Iran has consistently followed its goal of becoming a regional power while secretly hoping to gain control of combined oil reserves (in Iran and southern Iraq) that reportedly would stand second only to Saudi Arabia's."
Let me guess... that oil really belongs to Uncle Sam? Once again you make specious claims without providing any corraborating evidence. Let's look at the evidence as it stands. Not once in living memory has Iran attempted to invade the territory of others. Not once has it engaged in offensive warfare against any other nation. Not once! This is in stark contrast to the behaviour of the United States and its proxy, Israel. In fact, if any nation seeks to become a regional power, it's Israel.
"Iranian officials have showed almost no inclination of pausing in their efforts to acquire nuclear weapons, even openly cooperating with the North Koreans to expedite the process."
I suppose if you start your war chant by demonstrating that you suffer from a form of fact-phobia, then why change midway through? As ever, the facts fly in the face of your ludicrous claims. Iran is, unlike Israel, a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran has, unlike Israel, allowed inspectors from the Internation Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its fledgling nuclear facilities. Iran has shown almost no inclination to acquire nuclear weapons, and there is no evidence whatsoever that they are cooperating with North Korea. Even your own CIA have concluded that Iran is at least a decade away from being able produce nuclear weaponry. In the unlikely event that Iran is acquiring nuclear-weapons capability on the quiet, would you blame them, given the unstable, beligerent and trigger-happy Israel sitting on over two-hundred nukes?
"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad routinely threatens to wipe out our closest ally in the region, Israel, and drive the United States from the Middle East."
Oh not the old 'wiping Israel off the map' canard again! The statement as attributed to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the product of deliberate mistranslation. In other words, it is a fabrication... a bald-faced lie... Is repeating falsehoods the best this "academic" like you can do? As for Iran wishing to drive the united States from the Middle East, the United States has no business being there, so it comes as no surprise that Iran would like to drive them out. I'm sure they are not alone in that.
"And what have our multilateral efforts of diplomacy accomplished so far? Almost nothing."
What attempts at diplomacy? The United States has proven time and time again over the past five decades that diplomacy is its weakest suit. What has passed for attempts at diplomacy were in fact thinly veiled bullying to attempt to force Iran into giving up their right to under the NPT to exploit nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
"Iran has defied United Nations deadlines, played Europe and China against U.S. interests and deceived U.N. inspection teams with false reports on storage, processing and importing of nuclear materials."
I know I run the risk sounding like a scratched recording here, but where is the evidence to back up this claim? Inspection teams have yet to make any claims that they are the victims of deception. In reality we only have the word of war-pimps like you to go by. Europe is not being 'played' by Iran or anyone else. I know the notion of independence is probably foreign to your worldview, but European politicians are perfectly capable of forming their own opinions that are distinct from those of your increasingly-unpopular administration.
"Even more troubling, we are dealing with a president who firmly believes in an apocalyptic vision that the 12th Imam will return to Earth to establish a worldwide Islamic caliphate. Ahmadinejad told a cleric that he felt the "hand of God" mesmerizing world leaders as he spoke at the U.N. General Assembly in September."
In the United States you have a president who has claimed publically that he 'talks to God' and you have the gall to make such remarks?
"The stakes are far too high to allow Iran to buy any more time through feigned receptivity to diplomacy."
The stakes are too high indeed, but not in the way you think.
"Iran must be confronted quickly and persistently,"
Why? What business is it of yours? Iran poses no threat to the United States, other than their desire to control their own natural resources. You have already illegally invaded one country that posed no threat to your nation, and you want to do it all over again?
"and the growing dissent within the country fanned so that it challenges the current regime."
Another 'color' revolution? What colour will it be this time? Blood red?
"The clock is on the side of Ahmadinejad."
You betcha it is. And time is running out for the self-appointed world policeman.
"Dealing resolutely with Iran is the only option that promises to yield tangible results."
If by tangible results you mean unnecessary death and destruction, more regional instablility and more looting of resources, I suppose, for once, you are right.
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