Scott Ritter to Al-Jazeera: Iran war has begun

[Frederik]

"The reality is that the US war with Iran has already begun. As we speak, American over flights of Iranian soil are taking place, using pilotless drones and other, more sophisticated, capabilities."

"The most visible of these is the CIA-backed actions recently undertaken by the Mujahadeen el-Khalq, or MEK, an Iranian opposition group, once run by Saddam Hussein's dreaded intelligence services, but now working exclusively for the CIA's Directorate of Operations."

"But the CIA-backed campaign of MEK terror bombings in Iran are not the only action ongoing against Iran. To the north, in neighbouring Azerbaijan, the US military is preparing a base of operations for a massive military presence that will foretell a major land-based campaign designed to capture Tehran.

Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld's interest in Azerbaijan may have escaped the blinkered Western media, but Russia and the Caucasus nations understand only too well that the die has been cast regarding Azerbaijan's role in the upcoming war with Iran."

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7896BBD4-28AB-48BA-A949-2096A02F864D.htm

Fuck... :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[demnan]

1. Ritter hasn't been wrong yet

so I doubt he's wrong about this, either.

[ewagner]

19. true, but.....

if Rummy and Rove learned anything from Saddam it's Cheat and retreat . In other words if Ritter has exposed their scheme they can always back away from it and come at it again from another angle.....in order to make Ritter look like he's either a fool or a liar....the public relations battle is just as improtant as the military battle to Rummy and Rove.....

[Media_Lies_Daily]

45. Do you really think they care what Ritter...or any other American....

...has to say? They will move forward on their plans, no matter what.

[cthrumatrix]

2. just like Iraq (early attacks) --- don't look for NBC/CBS etc to cover

[CantGetFooledAgain]

28. We need to write ALL of the media outlets

...and let them know that we know about this, and that we are watching them to see whether they are going to cover it.

[ReadTomPaine]

3. Things would be even further along, but for the problems with Bolton n/t

[dbt]

4. Oh, BOY! Time to kick some more Brown Ass! Where's my FLAG?

The little plastic one that was made in China. Must support our troops, must stand behind Dear Leader. USA! USA! USA!

[DS1]

75. hahahahahaah!

:rofl:

If/when it becomes official that we're invading Iran too, I'm making your subject line a bumper sticker

:toast:

:rofl:

[ixion]

5. damnit...

:argh:

[cthrumatrix]

53. I turst Ritter more than the "liar in chief"

[leftchick]

6. I can not fathom how rummy and the neo-freaks think this will work

A massive military presence would require a Military draft in the USA.
Given the growing concern over Iraq I can't imagine how that will fly.
Of course the neo-freaks are insane so logic plays no part in their plans.

[Frederik]

10. I think the plan is to bomb them back to the stone age

In order to instigate a coup d'etat. The logic is indeed twisted. It will of course go horribly wrong and end up being the biggest clusterfuck since, well, Iraq.

I almost can't believe they're actually going to do this, but that is indeed what it looks like. It's been the plan all along, of course.

[leesa]

25. Exactly what they planned in Iraq. One trick pony. It worked so well!

[okieinpain]

40. I'm beginning to think that they are panicking. and you know how

desperate people are when they panic.

[Ms. Clio]

47. Truly if you believe the absolute worst of these people

You will never be disappointed.

[ewagner]

18. Rummy's delusion of "reformed" military

As near as I can tell his vision/delusion of a restructured military is hundreds and hundreds of small "Ramboesque" units that fight a quick, dirty war and then pull out to leave international business to rebuild.....

It's a neocon wet-dream all over again....

[Just Me]

20. Destabilization is first step. Then, propaganda. Then, bombs away.

Then, "mission accomplished". Then, quagmire (even bigger one blending US Military with Iraqi grunts). Then, draft by necessity (particularly if the whole area ends up joining forces against the US with the help of others outside the region).

One of my concerns, of course, is their capacity to insert an incentive (terror act) in between the destabilization and propaganda. Of course, right now, they can create the appearance of terrorism "over there" with propaganda.

Do I doubt that the neoCON PNACers will go forward with their plans to incite another world war? No, not at all.

[ovidsen]

22. Insane indeed!

Iran has nearly 3 times the people that Iraq has. 70% are under 30 years old. They have no love for their Islamofascist leaders, but they won't sit back and watch any damn foreigners come in to "teach them a lesson".

Of course, we'll get as much international support for this as we did for Iraq. None.

An invasion of Iran will make Iraq look like Panama or Grenada.

* and his cronies are not only sociopaths, they're idiots.

[CantGetFooledAgain]

29. Terrorist attack. Blame it on Osama. Osama is hiding in Iran.

Invade Iran to catch Osama. Start a draft (of course, the terrorist attack will have to be a lot worse than 9/11).

[wakeme2008]

7. Good map showing how Azerbaijan fits in

[Just Me]

38. US doing joint operations with Pakistan in the Gulf (LBN).

I'll go grab that,....

Here it is:
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050620/pl...

[acmavm]

8. Under what authority? Does anyone really believe the intent of

the legislative branch was to give AWOL unlimited power to declare war whenever he wanted?

And as for the clowns that signed onto the above, they either need to be screaming their heads off like frigging banshees, or just get the hell out of Washington D.C. because that little monkey and his handlers have made them irrelevant.

[CTLawGuy]

12. well Traitor Tom was defeated by John Thune

last year, and Traitor Dick resigned from congress.

and I don't hear much from the others who voted for IWR.

[Eloriel]

62. Doesn't matter what anyone's "intent" was -- the language of the

Resolution allows him to do what he damn pleases. That was just ONE of the reasons I was vehemently against the IWR.

[oasis]

9. We don't need that many troops. Once we invade, The Iranian people will

rise up in opposition to their dictatorial leadership. Our soldiers will be welcomed with rose petals strewn along the highway. I'll be a cakewalk to democracy and freedom for the Iranian people.:woohoo:

"Freedom is God's gift to mankind" G.W. Bush

[amber dog democrat]

15. Plus the war will pay for its self

Again freedom is on the march. Makes you proud.

[jimshoes]

11. Can our representatives in DC

turn off the money spigot for these PNAC misadventures somehow. What else can be done to thwart these evil men?

[NuttyFluffers]

21. they can turn the money spigot off right now. if they wanted to.

they don't want to.

with the war powers act congress could seriously get pissed enough to invoke it and legitimately reduce ALL military spending to $0. not even a thin dime. all $600+ bil freed up for the rest of the nation. it wouldn't take an even talented lawyer to figure out how to make it happen -- nothing like the stupendous 3 ring circus trapeze act of logic gonzales was trying to shuck upon the world stage about torture.

but it'll never happen. wanna know why? because republican lawmakers are spineless, amoral, complicit, murdering war criminals. that's why.

[Coexist]

13. I sent it to key Senators and media last night

will hit the House today. If anyone is on the Randi Rhodes board - posting it there might get it to her.

[welshTerrier2]

14. Porter Goss has an "excellent idea" where bin Laden is hiding ...

yeah, right !!!

could it be in the Tehran Hilton in Iran ???? why not just publish his whole itinerary???

let's see, after Iran he might take a little side trip to, oh, i don't know, maybe Syria ??? and then on to the scenic Pyongyang Hilton in North Korea perhaps ???

man, that wacky bin Laden sure does like to travel ... i sure hope he doesn't decide to stay at my house ...

[Coexist]

16. kick

[rman]

17. Interesting: MEK, "opposition group" - opposition to what?

I'm probably just stating the obvious, at least for many here:

Typically these "Mujahadeen" groups are religious fanatics: exactly those who want a fundamentalist islam society, and a fundamentalist islam world if they can help it.
Iran is weird in that it is part run by an elected government and part by religious fundamentalists.
It's not hard to guess to what this "MEK"group is opposed.
Stands to reason the CIA would back them in the "war on terror", doesn't it.


"A political order can be stable only if it is united by an external threat, if no external threat exists, then one has to be manufactured."
-- Leo Strauss, godfather of neocon-thinking, former tutor of Paul Wolfowitz amongst others.

[Frederik]

27. It was run by Saddam Hussein's Mukhabbarat

secret service before it was "discovered" by the CIA. I remember reading that it is some sort of cult which uses brain-washing techniques of some sort. Great allies to have in the war on terra, I'm sure.

[babylonsister]

23. If this is true and happens, just imagine how many

more new enemies we'll have. The mind boggles...

[AuntiBush]

24. Didn't We Cut their Communications Some Months Back...!?!

[Jo March]

26. I'm emailing this to all Dem Senators

I'm faxing it to them as well.

This has got to stop! Someone has to do something before WWIII.

[i have issues]

30. Bookmarked: I have a feeling we'll need this again during the impeachment.

nt

[Just Me]

46. Seriously. The BushCO/neoCON cabal are prepared to instigate,...

,...a world war and they will not be stopped unless they are impeached/indicted!!!!

This situation is, honest to God, perilous!!!

[orleans]

69. good idea. i might email them a copy too.

along with the msm, asking why aren't they covering our next war since we've already begun the shock and awe.

[Walt Starr]

31. WOW, that makes the United States a Terrorism Sponsoring Nation

Seriously, We are sponsoring a terrorist organization. We're no better than what we are fighting!

[Terran1212]

32. And the people are POWERLESS to stop this madness

America the democracy where our country is ruled by a small cabal of militarists set on attacking everyone in the world.

It would take a massive beauracratic action by Congress (which is mostly controlled by people who don't give a flip about the Irani people anyway) to investiage this -- we the people are powerless at what our so-called country "of the people by the people and for the people" is trying to do to Iran, secretly and powerfully.

The very thought of how our government acts and its utter lack of democracy makes me sick.

[BeTheChange]

33. Was Iran the target from the beginning?

Afghanistan first, even though most of the hijackers were Saudi. Iraq next because we knew they didnt have any WMD. Syria thrown in a few months ago for a diversion..

But is Iran the true Gold mine those in charge seek? It brings back the coldwar.. gives us access to more oil.. protects Israel and gives us the whole middle east eventually.

It looks like it to me.

[Terran1212]

34. Isn't Iran the only independent true power in the ME?

Most countries there are controlled by dictatorships which are at the behest of the United States. Iran is really the only independent country not under the US sphere of influence.

For that and the oil factor, it is a very likely target.

[midnight armadillo]

41. Have you heard this quote?

This was in a Paul Krugman column at some point, quoting a Brit 'close to the bush team':

"Everyone wants to go to Baghdad. Real men want to go to Tehran."

And if we can be certain of anything about the Bushies, we know they're desperate to be seen as manly men.

[BeTheChange]

50. I hadnt..

.. but of course, it just feeds my suspicions even more.

If our elected officials cannot find a way to take this administration down with our support then forays into Iran will be disasterous in ways that the American public cannot even comprehend.

The chips are falling in place. Once Bolton falls its all down into the pit.

[Trish1168]

61. Gives the little penis theory some support

They must all have inferiority complexes.

[midnight armadillo]

68. Remember, Gannon was a military themed whore

It all makes sense, doesn't it?

[TeeYiYi]

67. Actually, YES . . .

. . . according to a high ranking military officer that I met at a bar in the weeks following our shameful invasion of Iraq. Our discussion became a somewhat heated debate, given my distaste for what was happening with 'shock and awe'. He became defensive and told me that destroying Iraq was worth it because of a higher purpose and that we have to keep our 'eyes on the prize'. I asked what the prize was and he said, "Iran". Although I suspected that Iran would eventually be targeted, I was surprised to hear it spoken so matter-of-factly by someone on the inside. I've worried about Iran ever since. :(

TYY

[Auntie Bush]

35. Boy , am I proud to be an American ...and have bush* for my

president! World domination! All the
oil we could ever want! Yeah!! :bounce:
I'll be able to buy that nice new huge SUV!
I'll be boss of the highway! Watch out all you small fries!
I'll run you over if you get in my way.
Learned that from my brilliant, knowledgeable, compassionate president.
Thanks George...Your my President! :woohoo:

PS Don't forget to RSVP our town's invitation to attend 12 funerals.
You'd be proud of all those young soldiers. They all joined up to protect the USA from all those terrorists and WMD. But they didn't mind spreading democracy to Iran while they were there.













































;:bounce:

[meganmonkey]

39. JEEZ WHAT KIND OF FREEPER ARE YOU MORON

YOU DID'NT EVEN PUT ON YOU'RE CAPSLOCK!!!!!!

I THINK U R JUST ONE OF THOSE WINY LIBRALS PRETENDING TO LOVE ARE PRESIDENT!

WHY DO U HATE AMERICA TRATOR?

(on edit: I am sorry. I couldn't help myself O8) )

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

36. Awww, c'mon! The CIA has a long record of supporting democracy.

Just ask Salvador Allende in Chile, Mussa Degh in Iran, Patrice Lumumba in Congo, the Sandanistas, or, one who survived their "support", Nelson Mandela.

If the CIA thugs are supporting any group, you can damnsure bet that it's a long stretch from "democratic".

[mzmolly]

37. One more reason it was so important to vote ABB.

Man alive. :(

[warrens]

42. If you start enough wars, you might win one eventually

If they try this, it will be a bloodbath.

[Supersedeas]

43. the blinkered Western media--ya can that again

[nonconformist]

44. Holy shit.

Ritter's track record is flawless.

Ground war in Iran? This will be a disaster. Iraq was weak and had virtually no military or weapons (obviously) and we still can't get a handle there. Iran will be a DISASTER.

Buckle down for the draft kiddies. They need more cannon fodder for this.

[cthrumatrix]

48. somebody better tell the "press"....LOL

[Just Me]

51. Draft. Yep. As a single momma of a teen, I'm about ready to bail.

I don't want to do it but will if I'm left with no other choice.

[leftchick]

65. me too Just Me...

I have been ready since November 2004. It has taken me a very long time but finally, Finally my husband has agreed to it as well!! I am so freakin happy he has come to his senses. We have two young sons and if the neo-freaks continue to have their way we will have perpetual war and a draft very soon. And MY BOYS ARE NOT GOING!!!

He even talked about checking out Costa Rica! He had sort of an epiphany while we were on vacation last week. He realized ALL of the awful shit I told him that would happen over the last four years (via DU)has come to fruition, EVERYTHING! So why won't the draft?

See ya on the outside I hope!

:hi:

[orleans]

71. same here. single mom of a teen.

after i read that scott ritter article i actually thought maybe i *should* find out about getting on a draft board. i have no idea where it is, what it entails, what the rules are once you are on it.

i don't know how a draft board works--are there five people and they all take a vote if we think someone should or should not be in the army? i don't know about it at all--but today i called our village office to inquire about it--they didn't know where a draft board was either. they gave me the number of an army recruiter. so i may actually call and inquire about this daunting task.

[lonestarnot]

78. Not gett'n my kid mfrs!

[friesianrider]

49. I heard him speak in person once...

And everything he said would happen has happened....exactly.

I'm so glad to hear he's still around.

[tex-wyo-dem]

52. Azerbaijan...

Now *'s little overseas trip to Georgia (remember the grenade incident) makes sense.

[allemand]

54. I doubt that they will be able to control South Tehran without a massacre.

And the idea of American soldiers anywhere near Khomeini's shrine, I think that this would result in suicide bombings on an unprecedented scale.

But they might go after the areas with a majority Azeri and Kurdish population, in order to open a second front (Khuzestan and the coastal provinces being the other area of operations):

[killbotfactory]

55. We have always been at war with Iran

You know, that hostage taking back in the 79/80? Yeah... well it's payback time!

[spindoctor]

72. Technically, the hostages were payback

Or rather collateral for Iran's frozen bank accounts after Iran was LIBERATED from the evil dictator that was put in place by young Mr. Roosevelt.

Yes, we have been at war with Iran for a long, long time now. If ever there was a country where we shouldn't have to wonder "why they hate us" it is Iran.

Unfortunately the true story about Iran is seldom told.

[rexcat]

74. It was also payback for the CIA overthrowing a...

democratically elected prime minister in 1953 and putting the Shaw in power. Who by the way was a horrible dictator, completely supported by the US of A, who used his secret police very effectively until 1979 when he left the country to be treated in the US for cancer at the Mayo Clinic.

[Swamp Rat]

56. Won't be long before Bushler goes 'nukular'

RNEPs - The latest fashion in boutique mini-nukes.

[jokerman93]

57. Soo...at what point

At what point does the rest of world stop sitting on their asses and intervene against the U.S.?

If what this post says is true, aren't we cruising for a major conflagration in the Middle East that we will be unable to control?

How long will China, Russia and Europe continue to stand by and watch?

At what point does a type of World War become inevitable?

These must be very dumb questions because Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld seem unconcerned and are not asking them. What am I missing?

[EVDebs]

58. Did Congress authorize ANY of this and its funding ? Just a thought

Since Congress has war-making authority and spending powers, how exactly Bush & Co are pulling these operations off has to be 'extra-Constitutional' .... ok ok, Un-Constitutional but the neo-cons love those rogue CEOs 'who don't play by the rules', and this just adds to the mistique of our glorious leader.

Bush saw 'mistake' and thought that was 'mistique' you see...

[Frederik]

63. Well, some of the Pentagon's missing $2.3 trillions

probably aren't really missing.

[seemslikeadream]

64. Hey Frederik why don't you ask Dov Zakheim where the money is?

:hi:

oops that's right he's left to spend more time with his family.

[Frederik]

79. ...and to work with James Woolsey

in BoozAllen Hamilton and in the Committee of the Present Danger.

:hi:

[CantGetFooledAgain]

66. Excellent point (nt)

[EVDebs]

59. I now understand Special Operations funding is out of Congress' control

and that groups such as Special Operations Task Force 121 etc. are virtually a 'secret army' at Bush's disposal, in direct contravention of the Constitution the military and Bush are sworn to uphold.

[Rex]

60. I'm sure Hitler drooled at the thought of invading Poland.

They tasted blood and now have become rabid. Only one thing to do with a rabid animal.

Makes perfect since with our recent act of giving the Saudis a green light on nuke production.

[David Zephyr]

70. Thanks, Frederik for posting this.

:thumbsup:

[spindoctor]

73. Afghanistan, Iraq and Azerbeijan....talk about putting the vice on.

Are they really foolish enough to enter Iran now?

I don't pretend to be a strategist, but considering that both Iraq and Afghanistan are still a mess I would think that the last thing we need is another front.

I also find it hard to imagine that the rest of the world would allow us to corner the oil market in this way.

I sincerely hope that Ritter is drawing the wrong conclusions. It is just too much to stomach.

[Rhiannon12866]

76. Oh, no. Seymour Hersh was making the rounds, talking about this,

a few months ago, and he said that it would come this summer. I read his brilliant "New Yorker" piece on the subject and it made my blood run cold. And it was at least two years ago that there was an article posted on DU with the title, "Why War With Iran Would Be Suicidal." If we don't have the resources to deal with Iraq, how could we possibly hope to take on Iran, a much larger and more populous nation, and one with nuclear capabilities?!:shrug:

And the thing is, the Iranian people like Americans! After 9/11, the people of Tehran took to the streets, with candles, in sympathy to the murdered Americans, the only nation in the region to do so! Left to their own devices, they might truly achieve democracy, on their own!:-(

We just cannot let this happen. It truly would be suicidal. Haven't they learned anything?!
:scared::nuke:

[lonestarnot]

77. Wow how did I miss this post? Have to visit Greatest first from now on.

[raccoon]

80. Horrific as this is, can we dare to hope that

this might be the Bush junta's Waterloo? Or at least the beginning of the end for the junta?