That would be my list, should you ask.
From Sponsoring Al Qaeda to the Contras in Nicaragua, the United States has a long and eventful history of sponsoring terrorist organizations to destabilize countries and regimes that fall out of favor of favor with the US and it’s unmatched “moral high ground.” The below article in the Sunday Telegraph from a few weeks ago is an expose of the US’s latest adventure in non-uniform terrorism.
I guess self criticism is no easy feat…
US funds terror groups to sow chaos in Iran
By William Lowther in Washington DC and Colin Freeman,
Sunday Telegraph
America is secretly funding militant ethnic separatist groups in Iran in an attempt to pile pressure on the Islamic regime to give up its nuclear programme.
In a move that reflects Washington’s growing concern with the failure of diplomatic initiatives, CIA officials are understood to be helping opposition militias among the numerous ethnic minority groups clustered in Iran’s border regions.
The operations are controversial because they involve dealing with movements that resort to terrorist methods in pursuit of their grievances against the Iranian regime.
In the past year there has been a wave of unrest in ethnic minority border areas of Iran, with bombing and assassination campaigns against soldiers and government officials.
Such incidents have been carried out by the Kurds in the west, the Azeris in the north-west, the Ahwazi Arabs in the south-west, and the Baluchis in the south-east. Non-Persians make up nearly 40 per cent of Iran’s 69 million population, with around 16 million Azeris, seven million Kurds, five million Ahwazis and one million Baluchis. Most Baluchis live over the border in Pakistan.
Funding for their separatist causes comes directly from the CIA’s classified budget but is now “no great secret”, according to one former high-ranking CIA official in Washington who spoke anonymously to The Sunday Telegraph.
His claims were backed by Fred Burton, a former US state department counter-terrorism agent, who said: “The latest attacks inside Iran fall in line with US efforts to supply and train Iran’s ethnic minorities to destabilise the Iranian regime.”
Although Washington officially denies involvement in such activity, Teheran has long claimed to detect the hand of both America and Britain in attacks by guerrilla groups on its internal security forces. Last Monday, Iran publicly hanged a man, Nasrollah Shanbe Zehi, for his involvement in a bomb attack that killed 11 Revolutionary Guards in the city of Zahedan in Sistan-Baluchistan. An unnamed local official told the semi-official Fars news agency that weapons used in the attack were British and US-made.
Yesterday, Iranian forces also claimed to have killed 17 rebels described as “mercenary elements” in clashes near the Turkish border, which is a stronghold of the Pejak, a Kurdish militant party linked to Turkey’s outlawed PKK Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
John Pike, the head of the influential Global Security think tank in Washington, said: “The activities of the ethnic groups have hotted up over the last two years and it would be a scandal if that was not at least in part the result of CIA activity.”
Such a policy is fraught with risk, however. Many of the groups share little common cause with Washington other than their opposition to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose regime they accuse of stepping up repression of minority rights and culture.
The Baluchistan-based Brigade of God group, which last year kidnapped and killed eight Iranian soldiers, is a volatile Sunni organisation that many fear could easily turn against Washington after taking its money.
A row has also broken out in Washington over whether to “unleash” the military wing of the Mujahedeen-e Khalq (MEK), an Iraq-based Iranian opposition group with a long and bloody history of armed opposition to the Iranian regime.
The group is currently listed by the US state department as terrorist organisation, but Mr Pike said: “A faction in the Defence Department wants to unleash them. They could never overthrow the current Iranian regime but they might cause a lot of damage.”
At present, none of the opposition groups are much more than irritants to Teheran, but US analysts believe that they could become emboldened if the regime was attacked by America or Israel. Such a prospect began to look more likely last week, as the UN Security Council deadline passed for Iran to stop its uranium enrichment programme, and a second American aircraft carrier joined the build up of US naval power off Iran’s southern coastal waters.
The US has also moved six heavy bombers from a British base on the Pacific island of Diego Garcia to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which could allow them to carry out strikes on Iran without seeking permission from Downing Street.
While Tony Blair reiterated last week that Britain still wanted a diplomatic solution to the crisis, US Vice-President Dick Cheney yesterday insisted that military force was a real possibility.
“It would be a serious mistake if a nation like Iran were to become a nuclear power,” Mr Cheney warned during a visit to Australia. “All options are still on the table.”
The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will meet in London tomorrow to discuss further punitive measures against Iran. Sanctions barring the transfer of nuclear technology and know-how were imposed in December. Additional penalties might include a travel ban on senior Iranian officials and restrictions on non-nuclear business.
[Tarboush Tip: WVN]
Related posts:
- Israel May Add Iran to Long List of Countries it Attacked
- What Does Terrorism Mean?
- Another Victim of the War on Terrorism
- Iran May Be Indirectly Blamed For 5% Of Occupation Casualties In Iraq
- H.R. 4681: Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006
This sounds nothing like the time when the CIA went into Iran to overthrow the democratically elected regime in the name of democracy.
Nothing like it at all.
Posted by QuiQui | May 12, 2007, 10:11 amWell, that was in 1946. Too long ago to draw any historical lessons from, in the age of MTV attention spans.
Posted by Fayyad | May 12, 2007, 11:06 amThat would be my list, should you ask.
Of course it would. Because you ignore all the obvious sponsors of terrorism so you can do something you deem clever.
One thing the US could do to reduce its sponsorship of terrorism is to cut all aid to the Palestinians. Whaddya think, clever boy?
Posted by Roy | May 12, 2007, 6:22 pmWould that be just like defeating terrorism by overthrowing Saddam…?
Or how about that genius policy of funding South American terrorists by selling arms to “terror-sponsor” Iran – at a time when the US was supplying equipment to “global terror head” Saddam so that he could use poison gas against th Iranians and the Kurds?
Or how about arming mujahadden in Afghanistan to resist Soviet occupation?
The US funds so much terror it can’t even remember which ones it is supposed to like…
Never mind Macdonalds, Roy, war and terror are the two biggest US exports… gives you a red, white and blue hard-on, huh?
Posted by Anonymous | May 13, 2007, 12:13 amIsraeli state-sponsored terrorism:
Israel and Central America
Posted by Anonymous | May 13, 2007, 11:11 amNever mind Macdonalds, Roy, war and terror are the two biggest US exports… gives you a red, white and blue hard-on, huh?
What makes you think “Roy” is a patriot?
Posted by Basim | May 13, 2007, 11:13 amHaha,
Take your own muslim ass to Iran. If it is so bad here, and we are such assholes, why do you come? For the education? So you can eat good food, because we have the best food even though you mention McDonald’s, you know that’s NOT what we eat, though you might, idiot. Your people are so fucked up, as much as you want to project it onto us, YOUR PEOPLE ARE FUCKED UP, FUCKING INSANE, DYSFUNCTIONAL, FASCIST LOSERS!!! So yes, the CIA is smart to keep killing them, I hope they keep your sorry asses at war for centuries to come, psychotic fool. Wake up or leave, because you will get your ass killed in America, eventually. Wait until our next generation comes into power, we just might nuke your sorry asses before Iran beats us to it, and you can take that to your Syrian fucking bank, piece of shit muslim. ALLAH SUCKS AMERICAN DICK. Bend down kiss the ground and suck our collective cock, we are Allah to you bitch.
Happy Mother’s Day, poser muslim fuckin cocksucker.
Peace.
Posted by Anonymous | May 13, 2007, 4:11 pmRedneck alert: Red.
Posted by Nidalio | May 13, 2007, 4:54 pmAmerican Muslim
by Christian Propaganda
feat Religion IS stupido
bass Ido bendloAmmam
Don’t wanna be an American idiot.
Don’t want a nation under the new media.
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mindfuck America.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn’t meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow.
Well that’s enough to argue.
Well maybe I’m the faggot America.
I’m not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along in the age of paranoia.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn’t meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow.
Well that’s enough to argue.
Don’t wanna be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information nation of hysteria.
It’s going out to idiot America.
Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn’t meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We’re not the ones who’re meant to follow.
Posted by Anonymous | May 13, 2007, 6:05 pmI am actually not a redneck, I am a city boy. I saw the towers fall, I hope you are proud of your brethern.
If you are, you WILL die. Muslims are rodent pests.
Posted by Anonymous | May 13, 2007, 6:26 pmMuslims are like rats in a sewer. EXTERMINATE.
Posted by Anonymous | May 13, 2007, 2:28 pmThey are not “our brethren”, Down’s Syndrome.
You have more in common with the hijackers than we do.
Think about it.
Posted by Anonymous | May 13, 2007, 10:06 pmAnonym. 10:06PM,
Well said. He definitely has more in common with the hijackers, one thing for sure is hatred, sounding like racist KKK members. I’m sure those are his “brethren.” Feels good to generalize.
Anonyass 6:26,
Redneck or not, you’re certainly not educated, that’s judging from your writing and thinking. If I were you, I would seek help. You sound like someone who would get himself involved with something like what happened at Virginia Tech. Alternatively, instead of running your mouth about killing Muslims, you can be all you can be and enlist in the army. I’m sure there’s a place for guys like you in Iraq.
Posted by Nidalio | May 14, 2007, 9:22 amSpeaking of racism:
Under Palestinian law, selling property to Jews is punishable by death.
Posted by Roy | May 14, 2007, 11:31 amWow, Roy. That’s the only thing you had to say about the entire article? How about the fact that there are multiple streets in Hebron though which only Jews are allowed to pass. Palestinians are not allowed to set foot on these streets, thought he city is shared by settlers and Palestinians. Would you call that racism Roy?
P.S. A reminder that all settlers have the IDF’s protection and they are well armed with automatic weapons. Palestinians have none of that. So the racist act is not for “security” reasons.
Posted by Nidalio | May 15, 2007, 10:32 amHow about the fact that there are multiple streets in Hebron though which only Jews are allowed to pass. Palestinians are not allowed to set foot on these streets, thought he city is shared by settlers and Palestinians. Would you call that racism Roy?
Sure. It’s not exactly the death penalty, but yeah, there’s plenty of anti-Palestinian sentiment.
It’s just not obsessive bloodlust, like comes from the other side.
And I can admit “my” side’s failings, while you blame everything on the Jews and America.
Posted by Roy | May 15, 2007, 3:11 pmNo wonder you guys have no class, you listen to Green Day. Tools of a feather…
Posted by Anonymous | May 16, 2007, 2:27 pmRoy,
Are you trying to use the cute term “anti-Palestinian sentiment” in lieu of racism, or do you actually admit that the Israeli government supports racism against Palestinians?
There’s obsessive blood-lust on “your” side as well Roy. Let’s not go into figures and count how many Palestinian civilians vs Israeli civilians are killed since the beginning of the intifada. Not to forget the bombing of civilian shelters in Lebanon, based on a false claim (Israel was never able to prove) that missiles were being fired from those shelters. Killing women and children. That’s not blood-lust. It’s only that dark “other side,” right?
Finally, bring me a single sentence in which I blamed Jews (Note: not every Jew is an Israeli) or America for anything. Yes, I criticize Israel, but not Jews. That deceptive rhetoric of accusing everyone of hating Jews and being anti-semitic is getting way too old.
Posted by Nidalio | May 16, 2007, 5:22 pmAre you trying to use the cute term “anti-Palestinian sentiment” in lieu of racism
Thank you for calling it “cute”. It’s also perfectly accurate. If you want to use the more generic “racism” for it, it makes little difference.
In WWII, there was suspicion of people of Japanese and German descent in America. It’s to be expected when there’s a race-supremacist war being waged. That’s not to excuse it, just to say that it’s to be expected.
Let’s not go into figures and count how many Palestinian civilians vs Israeli civilians are killed since the beginning of the intifada.
And let’s especially not go into the fact that about half of Palestinian casualties have been at the hands of Palestinians. No, let’s definitely not go there.
Not to forget the bombing of civilian shelters in Lebanon, based on a false claim (Israel was never able to prove) that missiles were being fired from those shelters.
Of course, if Israel can’t prove it, it must have just been something they made up. There are no facts that can’t be proven, nor are there honest mistakes when it comes to those Crafty Jews.
And another place let’s not go: Hiz’ballah waging war from civilian cover. And Hamas doing the same. That just didn’t happen. They’d never do something so reckless in regard to their beloved civilian brothers.
No, Israel is just seeking out civilians to kill. Yup, yup, yup.
Finally, bring me a single sentence in which I blamed Jews (Note: not every Jew is an Israeli) or America for anything.
I’m not interested in it. If you say you don’t blame America, great. If you say you don’t blame Jews, great. It doesn’t matter.
This site, which you have never disagreed with, does blame America and Jews at every turn.
Posted by Roy | May 17, 2007, 6:48 amRoy,
“If you want to use the more generic “racism” for it, it makes little difference.”
So there’s racism supported by the Israeli government, and that is “your” side. I guess that makes the two of us racists sympathizers
“That’s not to excuse it, just to say that it’s to be expected.”
That’s called sugar-coating, Roy.
“Of course, if Israel can’t prove it, it must have just been something they made up.”
You’re absolutely right, unless you can prove otherwise.
“I’m not interested in it. If you say you don’t blame America, great. If you say you don’t blame Jews, great. It doesn’t matter.”
I’m not interested means translates to ‘I can’t support my claims.’ You lose Roy.
Posted by Nidalio | May 17, 2007, 9:00 amYes, you and the Palestinians are both big winners in this whole discussion. Congratulations.
Posted by Roy | May 17, 2007, 2:46 pmThank you
Posted by Nidalio | May 17, 2007, 2:55 pm