Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Bush Readies for War with Iran

And the military and intelligence communities aren't happy about it. From Raw Story:
Concern is building among the military and the intelligence community that the US may be preparing for a military strike on Iran, as military assets in key positions are approaching readiness, RAW STORY has learned.

According to military and intelligence sources, an air strike on Iran could be doable in June of this year, with military assets in key positions ready to go and a possible plan already on the table.
[...]
Other military and intelligence sources are expressing concern both privately and publicly that air strikes on Iran could come earlier than believed.
[...]
All sources, however, agree that given the administration's interest in regime change, an attack on Iran is likely, regardless of international support or UN backing. Furthermore, all sources agree that Gardiner's scenario is the most probable, including an estimated duration and "pause" assessment.
[...]
As previously reported by Raw Story, a terrorist organization known as Mujahedeen-e Khalq (MEK) is being used on the ground in Iran by the Pentagon, bypassing US intelligence channels [...]

Military and intelligence sources now say no Presidential finding exists on MEK ops. Without a presidential finding, the operation circumvents the oversight of the House and Senate Intelligence committees.

Congressional aides for the relevant oversight committees would not confirm or deny allegations that no Presidential finding had been done. One Democratic aide, however, wishing to remain anonymous for this article, did say that any use of the MEK would be illegal.
[...]
The increase in violence on the southern border of Iran, the movement of aircraft carriers into the region, the insistence of Iran's leadership that they intend to be a player on the nuclear stage and the Bush Administration's focus on regime change make military and intelligence sources nervous.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.

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