Sy Hersh: Life of the Party
Oh, hi there, famed investigative reporter Seymour Hersh. What’s up?
There is a growing conviction among members of the United States military, and in the international community, that President Bush’s ultimate goal in the nuclear confrontation with Iran is regime change.
Heh heh, that’s, uh, that’s a good one. Pretty funny stuff. Seriously, though, how are ya’?
One former defense official, who still deals with sensitive issues for the Bush Administration, told me that the military planning was premised on a belief that “a sustained bombing campaign in Iran will humiliate the religious leadership and lead the public to rise up and overthrow the government.”
Uh, yeah, you almost had us going there for a minute. You’re quite a joker, Sy. Weather’s sure been unpredictable lately, don’t you think?
Some operations, apparently aimed in part at intimidating Iran, are already under way. American Naval tactical aircraft, operating from carriers in the Arabian Sea, have been flying simulated nuclear-weapons delivery missions—rapid ascending maneuvers known as “over the shoulder” bombing—since last summer, the former official said, within range of Iranian coastal radars.
OK SERIOUSLY IT’S NOT FUNNY ANYMORE.
The adviser added, however, that the idea of using tactical nuclear weapons in such situations has gained support from the Defense Science Board, an advisory panel whose members are selected by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. “They’re telling the Pentagon that we can build the B61 with more blast and less radiation,” he said.
Oh man you are totally not invited to our next barbecue.
The Iran Plans [New Yorker]
READ MORE: holy shit, iran, nuclear war, seriously: holy shit, seymour hersh, war
And right after the "diplomatic slution", the Iranians will glow in the dark (war is diplomacy by other means).
by Synoia on 04/10/06 01:08 PM
Did you mean to quote Clausewitz just then? Because it's "War is the continuation of policy by other means." Just say'n.
On another note, with partners in peace like Mahmud "Crazy Eddie" Ahmadinejad, I'm sure a diplomatic solution will soon be reached.
by Chris on 04/10/06 01:19 PM
Did you mean to quote Clausewitz just then? 'Cause I'm pretty sure the real quote is "war is the continuation of policy by other means." I'm just say'n.
On another note, with partners in peace like Mahmud "Crazy Eddie" Ahmadinejad, a diplomatic solution can't be too far off.
by Chris on 04/10/06 01:23 PM
*sigh* Oh, Iran... we have a nice freedom pie in the oven for you, honey. Relax.
by T-Diddy on 04/10/06 01:30 PM
OK - Drive by the Pentagon parking lot some time. There are A LOT OF CARS there on a normal day. What to you think those people spend there time doing? There is a whole team of folks who spend there days saying, "Damn, what if we had to go to war with _____". I know that sounds sinister, but, how would we look if some country opened fire on a warship or embassy and when the President called SECDEF to do something and he had to say "I'll get back to you on that one boss."? We would look like fools! Why Sy Hersh thinks this is news is beyond me.
Also - nobody takes the Defense Science Board seriously - it is a way to let academics think their opinions matter.
by Pentagon Insider on 04/10/06 03:34 PM
The media are overdoing this attack planning on Iran thing. We have a plan to wage war with Trinidad if they should lob a small nuclear weapon our way. No doubt we are updating our plans as a result of the latest developments inside Iran, but as "Pentagon Insider" above states, when something real ugly happens, "I'll get back to you later Mr President" doesn't get it. The Pentagon is not the Katrina Response Team.
by B.S. on 04/10/06 03:49 PM
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