Comments Posted By S Knabt
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"It is reasonable in that it attacks Iran economically not to hurt the population but to hit the mullahs where it counts..."
Rick, your statement makes no sense in the context of the story you quote which clearly states one of the purposes of the CIA's covert operation was "manipulation of Iran’s currency." Unless it's your contention only the mullahs spend Iranian currency.
This reminds of a BBC special I saw a while back talking about the neocon movement. Founded by Leo Strauss, at its foundation, is the notion of building a modern mythology for America to rally around.
Back during the early years of the Reagan administration, some officials wanted to push Reagan away from his belief the Soviets held similar interests of all people and could be reasonably bargained with. A book - I forget its title - was very popular at the time linking the Soviets to most of the world's terrorists. They sold that thesis to William Casey, director of the CIA, who sold it to Reagan.
The irony is most of the facts linking the Soviets and the terrorists were sourced back to CIA black ops disinformation. Even when Casey was confronted with the truth he preferred the lies.
So your argument - as with the neocons back then - is lying for a good cause is okay. Hey, in the case with Reagan it led to an arms race which helped topple the Soviets, clearly a good thing.
But it could put US negotiators (or their surrogates) in a position of sitting across the table from the Iranians only to have them throw all this back into our faces.
How like is a CIA campaign of propaganda, lies, and currency manipulation likely to have the desired result of them giving up nuclear ambitions? How much more likely is it to have the exact opposite effect by increasing their paranoia and desperation?
The story was likely leaked by government officials horrified by the stupidity of the plan. Given the track record of the incompetent Bush administration who can blame them?
Lets hope the ABC story forces something smart out of the Bushies though I'm not at all optimistic.
Comment Posted By S Knabt On 25.05.2007 @ 14:23
