Obama Counterterrorism Advisor John Brennan Pushing For New Approach to Iran
| Fri Jan. 16, 2009 8:06 AM PST
CIA veteran John Brennan was an early lightning rod for President-elect Obama after word got out that he was being considered for the agency's top job. (Brennan had advised Obama on intelligence and foreign policy during the campaign.) The primary complaint was Brennan's past statements in defense of the CIA's practice of "rendering" terrorism suspects to other countries for interrogation—places where harsh interrogations go far beyond waterboarding. In 2006, he told a reporter that "we do have to take off the gloves in some areas," but went on to say that it must be done in a way doesn't "forever tarnish the image of the United States abroad."
Since 2005 Brennan has been CEO of the Analysis Corporation, which advises the federal government and private companies on counterterrorism. The firm's parent company, London-based Global Strategies, has come under fire for its activities in Iraq and Afghanistan, where it hired Third World private security contractors at cut rates and once shut down Baghdad's airport for several days during a contract dispute with the Iraqi government.
Obama has been critical both of the CIA's practice of rendition and the unregulated use of private security contractors in conflict zones, but seems satisfied that Brennan has not been tarnished by his connection to either one. Dropping him from consideration for CIA director (instead picking Leon Panetta), Obama went on to tap Brennan to be his top advisor on counterterrorism—a position that does not require congressional approval.
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While by virtue of his position at the CIA Brennan was a part of the Bush administration's version of the war on terror, it's clear that he's broken with the outgoing administration on at least one crucially important subject: the US relationship with Iran. Last year, he contributed a policy paper (.pdf) to the Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, calling for a new approach to engaging Iran. His main points:
After nearly three decades of antagonistic rhetoric and diplomatic estrangement between the United States and Iran, the next president has the opportunity to set a new course for relations between the two countries. When the next president takes up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Iranian officials will be listening. The president must implement a policy of engagement that encourages moderates in Iran without implying tolerance for Tehran's historic support of terrorist activities. This strategy will require patience and sensitivity to the complex political realities inside Iran. To successfully chart a new course for U.S.-Iranian relations, the next president must (1) tone down rhetoric; (2) establish a direct dialogue with Tehran, including comprehensive, private discussions and deployment of a special envoy; (3) encourage greater assimilation of Hezbollah into Lebanon's political system; and (4) offer carrots in addition to sticks, including consideration of legitimate Iranian concerns on regional security issues.
Brennan's positions align perfectly with Obama's emerging approach, down to the appointment of a special envoy to spearhead a new diplomatic relationship with Tehran: word is that incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will assign veteran diplomat Dennis Ross the Iran portfolio. Whether any of this will work, though, remains an open question, reliant in large part of how Iran reacts to Obama's overtures.
Comments
Nothing will change. On June 21, 2004, Ralph Nader, the well known consumer rights' activist and presidential candidate, took the dramatic, and radical, step of accusing George Bush Jr and the American Congress of being zionist puppets. "The subservience of our congressional and White House puppets to Israeli military policy has been consistent. They're almost all puppets. There are two sets: Congressional puppets and White House puppets. When the chief puppeteer (Ariel Sharon) comes to Washington, the puppets prance." (Ralph Nader 'Ralph Nader: Conservatively Speaking' The American Conservative).
Nader reiterated the same point a week later, "What has been happening over the years is a predictable routine of foreign visitation from the head of the Israeli government. The Israeli puppeteer travels to Washington. The Israeli puppeteer meets with the puppet in the White House, and then moves down Pennsylvania Avenue, and meets with the puppets in Congress. And then takes back billions of taxpayer dollars. It is time for the Washington puppet show to be replaced by the Washington peace show."" (Nader's speech to the conference of the Council for the National Interest entitled, "The Muslim Vote in Election 2004″ quoted in 'Ralph Nader Calls Israel a "Puppeteer"' IsraelNN.com June 30, 2004).
On a positive note, Iran tested a nuke on Oct 25, 2008. The test was hidden among a series of aftershocks to a 'normal' earthquake.
http://www.iiees.ac.ir/EQSearch/(yjph0j55a1kcns45kayg3j45)/RecentEvent.aspx
As you see, Earthquakes are almost a daily occurrence in Iran. So the standard method of detecting A-bomb tests are not as precise as usual.
Iran is busy building more nukes, and unless Israel steps up to the plate, they will use them.
MAD requires rational actors. People that idolize suicide bombers are NOT rational by western standards.
When the Mad Dog Mullahs use their bombs, either New York or London will be the first target.
John Samford you appear to be a regular listener of "After Dark", I bet you also believe in "Shadow People." The problem is the world's 5th largest nuclear power, Israel, that behaves like the Germans did in Warsaw. With a rogue state out there doing such war crimes, we can expect other states to take reasonable precautions. We need to stop sending the war criminal $8billion a year, because we thereby become their enabler. They need "deep therapy."
Does Washington grant too much support to the projection of Israel military policy? Absolutely.
Is it accurate or helpful to label this as puppetry? Absolutely not.
The essence of the relationship is the result of 1) effective lobbying, 2) campaign cash, and 3) christian zionism.
Problem is, using the image of puppetry has the effect of confusing anti-antisemitism with legitimate criticism.
In order to bring peace to the region I firmly believe we must first make our language be as peaceful and loving as we can, avoiding confusion that only gets in the way.
I agree with Brennan's position on Iran. I can also understand Iran's leaders' perceptions of the U.S. I read a very interesting history of the link between Iran and America a few months ago in Smithsonian's online mag. Under Truman, the CIA wanted to topple Iran's govt, but Truman didn't bite. Eisenhower did, the CIA derailed the Iranian government's first steps toward democracy, thereby, opening the door for radical Islamic policies, terrorist escalation, and a theocracy. I believe that it is worth the effort to try to talk to the Iranian gov't and to be prepared by understanding its' culture and politics to the best of our ability. I also believe that we shouldn't act unilaterally in this matter.
Iranian People never forget brutal regime of Shah Iran and his secret police(SAVAK), who they torture Iranian Political prisoners and any one who had opposed Shah's iron fist. U.S. government was responsible for all these atrocity and repression through helping Shah and his gangster style cronies to over throw democratic elected prime minister of Iran Mr Mossadegh. and brought back torture and repression to Iran. Let me emphasise that I don't support present regime at all and they are practicing same activities like Shah did. But U.S. always act like they are victimized by Iranian people. No Iranian people were victimized for 37years of Shah's repression and atrocities which was support by U.S..
Iranian People never forget brutal regime of Shah Iran and his secret police(SAVAK), who they torture Iranian Political prisoners and any one who had opposed Shah's iron fist. U.S. government was responsible for all these atrocity and repression through helping Shah and his gangster style cronies to over throw democratic elected prime minister of Iran Mr Mossadegh.
John Samford,
If I were you, I will be more concerned about the madder dogs of Israel; they are already armed to the teeth with nuclear bombs. While the Iranians have never invaded a neighbor in the last 300 years; the Israelis make it their past time attacking their neighbors and annexing their territories. The Iranians have no known ideological drive to physically stretch beyond their current boundaries, while the Israelis are more than eager to establish a vast Biblical Empire in the Middle East.
Ali Bachari, you are right that the Shah and USA were bad, but you should thank the French for sending the blessed one of happy memory, Imam Khomeini to Persia, to establish the Islamic Republic so you men can persecute us women. The French are such angels in a time of need. What would we do without them.
16 US Intelligence Agencies say that Iran IS NOT pursuing nuclear weapons. The UN inspectors in Iran say there's NO EVIDENCE that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. The UN sanctions are ILLEGAL. Nevertheless, Obama recently said that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. So, IS OBAMA MAD ???
Submitted by bahman (not verified) on Thu Jan. 29, 2009 2:06 PM PST.
As far as mid-east is concern Israel is the fundamental anomaly that is constantly provoking the long established cultural political sensibilities of the region.
Israel does this so every illegitimate regime (Like the disgraceful pigs of Saudi Arabia and the rest of the sheikhdom of the Golf) in the region would fall on its nee asking for supper power help.
Other wize why should a tiny country with only 6 mil have 200 nuclear Bombs?
In short to understand Israel is to understand the roll of Military Industrial Complex of USA.
Americans should know this that Iranian government despite being one of the most foul regime in the world is absolutely not crazy enough to send a missile to Israel or USA or Europe the Israelis tell you this because they want to create a genuine atmosphere of fear for the Iranians.
Israeli government is the most racist degenerate entity in the world they are criminal genocidal maniacs of out time and at 8 Billon Dollar a year they are not worth it.
Ditch Israel, embrace the world
Brennan's positions align perfectly with Obama's emerging approach, down to the appointment of a special envoy to spearhead a new diplomatic relationship with Tehran: word is that incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will assign veteran diplomat Dennis Ross the Iran portfolio. Whether any of this will work, though, remains an open question, reliant in large part of how Iran reacts to Obama's overtures.
You mean the "overtures" he laid out so clearly to AIPAC last year?
"As president I will use all elements of American power to pressure Iran. I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Everything."
"I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel's security. That starts with ensuring Israel's qualitative military advantage, ... I will ensure Israel can defend itself from any threat, from Gaza to Tehran. ..."
There is no greater threat to Israel or peace than Iran. This audience is made up of both Republicans and Democrats. And the enemies of Israel should have no doubt that regardless of party, Americans stand shoulder to shoulder in support of Israel's security. ... The Iran regime supports violent extremists and challenges us across the region. It pursues a nuclear capability that could spark a dangerous arms race and ... its president denies the Holocaust and threatens to wipe Israel off the map. ... [M]y goal will be to eliminate this threat."
Or has he made some friendly overtures of late, and we therefore must assume he was lying his ass off at AIPAC in order to get the Jewish vote?
Stinks to High Heaven, either way.
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