This article was written by Paul Craig Roberts and originally published at PaulCraigRoberts.org
Washington has made tremendous preparations for a military assault on Iran. There is speculation that Washington has called off its two longest running wars--Iraq and Afghanistan--in order to deploy forces against Iran. Two of Washington’s fleets have been assigned to the Persian Gulf along with NATO warships. Missiles have been spread amongst Washington’s Oil Emirate and Middle Eastern puppet states. US troops have been deployed in Israel and Kuwait.
Washington has presented Israel a gift from the hard-pressed American taxpayers of an expensive missile defense system, money spent for Israel when millions of unassisted americans have lost their homes. As no one expects Iran to attack Israel, except in retaliation for an Israeli attack on Iran, the purpose of the missile defense system is to protect Israel from an Iranian response to Israeli aggression against Iran.
Juan Cole has posted on his blog a map showing 44 US military bases surrounding Iran.
In addition to the massive military preparations, there is the propaganda war against Iran that has been ongoing since 1979 when Washington’s puppet, the Shah of Iran, was overthrown by the Iranian revolution. Iran is surrounded, but Washington and Israeli propaganda portray Iran as a threatening aggressor nation. In fact, the aggressors are the Washington and Tel Aviv governments which constantly threaten Iran with military attack.
Neocon warmongers, such as David Goldman, compare the Iranian president to Hitler and declare that only war can stop him.
Washington’s top military officials have created the impression that an act of Israeli aggression against Iran is a done deal. On February 2 the Washington Post reported that Pentagon chief Leon Panetta believes that Israel is likely to attack Iran in two to four months.
Also on February 2, Gareth Porter reported that General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed the Israeli government that the US would not join Israel’s aggression against Iran unless Washington had given prior approval for the attack.
Porter interprets Dempsey’s warning as a strong move by President Obama to deter an attack that would involve Washington in a regional conflagration with Iran. A different way to read Dempsey’s warning is that Obama wants to hold off on attacking Iran until polls show him losing the presidential election. It has generally been the case that the patriotic electorate does not turn out a president who is at war.
On February 5, President Obama canceled Dempsey’s warning to Israel when Obama declared that he was in “lockstep” with the Israeli government. Obama is in lockstep with Israel despite the fact that Obama told NBC that “we don’t see any evidence that they [Iran] have those intentions [attacks on the US] or capabilities.” By being in lockstep with Israel and simultaneously calling for a “diplomatic solution,” Obama appeased both the Israel Lobby and Democratic peace groups, thus upping his vote.
As I wrote previously, this spring is a prime time for attacking Iran, because there is a good chance that Russia will be in turmoil because of its March election. The Russian opposition to Putin is financed by Washington and encouraged by Washington’s statements, especially those of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Whether Putin wins or there is an indecisive result and a run-off election, Washington’s money will put tens of thousands of Russians into the streets, just as Washington’s money created the “Green Revolution” in Iran to protest the presidential elections there.
On February 4 the former left-wing British newspaper, The Guardian, reported a pre-election protest by 120,000 anti-Putin demonstrators marching in Moscow and demanding “fair elections.” In other words, Washington already has its minions declaring that a win by Putin in March can only signify a stolen election. The problem for Obama is that this spring is too early to tell whether his re-election is threatened by a Republican candidate. Going to war prematurely, especially if the result is a stiff rise in oil prices, is not an aid to re-election.
The willingness of peoples around the world to be Washington’s puppets instead of loyal citizens of their own countries is why the West has been able to dominate the world during the modern era. There seems to be an infinite supply of foreign leaders who prefer Washington’s money and favor to loyalty to their own countries’ interests.
As Karl Marx said, money turns everything into a commodity that can be bought and sold. All other values are defeated--honor, integrity, truth, justice, loyalty, even blood kin. Nothing remains but filthy lucre. Money certainly turned UK prime minister Tony Blair into a political commodity.
The power of money was brought home to me many years ago. My Ph.D. dissertation chairman found himself in the Nixon administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security affairs. He asked if I would go to Vietnam to administer the aid programs. I was flattered that he thought I had the strength of character to stand up to the corruption that usually defeats the purpose of aid programs, but I declined the assignment.
The conversation was one I will never forget. Warren Nutter was an intelligent person of integrity. He thought regardless of whether the war was necessary that we had been led into it by deception. He thought democracy could not live with deception, and he objected to government officials who were not honest with the American people. Nutter’s position was that a democratic government had to rely on persuasion, not on trickery. Otherwise, the outcomes were not democratic.
As Nutter saw it, we were in a war, and we had involved the South Vietnamese. Therefore, we had obligations to them. If we proved to be feckless, the consequence would be to undermine commitments we had made to other countries in our effort
to contain the Soviet Empire. The Soviet Union, unlike the “terrorist threat” had the potential of being a real threat. People who have come of age after the collapse of the Soviet Union don’t understand the cold war era.
In the course of the conversation I asked how Washington got so many other governments to do its bidding. He answered, “Money.”
I asked, “You mean foreign aid?”
He said, “No, bags of money. We buy the leaders.”
He didn’t approve of it, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Purchasing the leadership of their enemies or of potential threats was the Roman way. Timothy H. Parsons in his book, The Rule of Empires, describes the Romans as “deft practitioners of soft power.” Rome preferred to rule the conquered and the potentially hostile through “semiautonomous client kings which the Senate euphemistically termed ‘friends of the Roman people.’ Romans helped cooperative monarchs remain in power with direct payments of coins and material goods. Acceptance of these subsidies signified that an ally deferred to imperial authority, and the Romans interpreted any defiance of their will as an overt revolt. They also intervened freely in local succession disputes to replace unsuitable clients.”
This is the way Washington rules. Washington’s way of ruling other countries is why there is no “Egyptian Spring,” but a military dictatorship as a replacement for Washington’s discarded puppet Hosni Mubarak, and why European puppet states are fighting Washington’s wars of hegemony in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia.
Washington’s National Endowment for Democracy funds non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. It is through the operations of NGOs that Washington added the former Soviet Republic of Georgia to Washington’s empire, along with the Baltic States, and Eastern European countries.
Because of the hostility of many Russians to their Soviet past, Russia is vulnerable to Washington’s machinations.
As long as the dollar rules, Washington’s power will rule.
As Rome debased its silver denarius into lead, Rome’s power to purchase compliance faded away. If “Helicopter Ben” Bernanke inflates away the purchasing power of the dollar, Washington’s power will melt away also.
written by Ted long , February 09, 2012
'no one expects Iran to attack Israel...' seriously? Mookie has been calling for the annihilation of Israel for years. The Ayatollah just put out an order condoning by the Koran said destruction of Israel. When someone tells the world that they want to kill me I tend to take them at their word. If someone has called you out in front of your shtf compound and is loading his weapon, are you going to wait until he shoots you or puts your shelter to the flame before you stop him. Why would Iran, who hasn't been under the influence of the US since the 70's, be so vituperative knowing that the end result will be their destruction? Why wouldn't they back off? They are gladly seeking Armageddon as called for in their holy (unholy) book. The rest of the article is sort of on the money.
written by Brandon Smith , February 09, 2012
@Ted
Not that I like Iran, but I think they have every right to be pissed at the U.S. and Israel after we installed the Shah by force in the 1950's to lead a government of torture and murder and displacing a once freely elected system just so we could control their petroleum resources.
Also, this threat of war against Iran is not based on whatever they may have said. The threat is based on erroneous data, completely debunked, that says Iran has nuclear capability. Even the CIA has admitted there is no concrete evidence of nukes in Iran. On the other hand, Israel definitely has nuclear weapons, is just as big a warmongering country as any other, including Iran, and has even attempted to sell that technology in Africa. I'm far more worried about Israel having nukes, to be honest. This drumbeat of war is based on a farce.
written by Vlad , February 09, 2012
@ Brandon
At this point it isn't a question of if they "have a right to be pissed" or not. They are, they are dangerous, and they are getting MORE dangerous over time. At the end of the day it really doesn't much matter why some one wants to kill you, it is just enough that they do and I don't think we should volunteer to let them gather strength.
Islam started fighting in the 600s and hasn't stopped and will not stop until they have no other option. Worrying about who has a "right to be pissed" is just going to get you dead or living as an infidel slave under the boot of some sheik who's idea of culture or "human rights" was shocking even by medieval standards.
written by Braedalbane , February 09, 2012
@ Vlad: "At this point it isn't a question of if they "have a right to be pissed" or not. They are, they are dangerous, and they are getting MORE dangerous over time. At the end of the day it really doesn't much matter why some one wants to kill you, it is just enough that they do and I don't think we should volunteer to let them gather strength".
Hmmm...who has surrounded whom? We've got Iran surrounded so I guess we are in grave danger. This is exactly the same bull manure all over again. You don't recognize the same old story after Afghanistan and Iraq? It just AMAZES me that anyone would continue to fall for this bunch of baloney.
I'll tell you who's dangerous. It is as the author pointed out: the two nations with nukes. Iran's nuclear program is LEGAL. They have been inspected every which way but loose by non-Iranian controlled teams (IAEA). That bunch of experts on nuclear power etc. say that Iran is not making nukes. Our own CIA director, Panetta, says they don't got no nukes. What part of "do not have" can't you understand?
written by Ted long , February 09, 2012
Isreal hasn't lobbed rockets or given rockets to be lobbed at another country as Iran has.( Hezbollah ). As Ronald Reagan said ' peace through strength' is why Israel has nukes. I may be wrong, but I can't think of any wars that Isreal has started and in fact they are basically told not to get involved in any middle eastern conflicts. They are the only country that has to moderate its tone or response when attacked by the countries or terror groups around them. By the way, are you now so ready to take the word of the CIA?
written by Brandon Smith , February 10, 2012
@Ted
Um, yes they have, they've just been attacking Iran covertly using bombings, assassinations, computer viruses, etc. There are no "innocents" in the Middle East, especially not the Israeli government. What about the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 2006 (where they got their asses kicked, btw)!
I frankly couldn't care less what Israel's circumstances are. Both countries have been playing games through proxy, but open warfare, that's an entirely different story. If Israel goes into Iran, it WILL be WWIII, and that's not good for anybody.
Also, its not just the CIA saying no nukes in Iran, but when the elites are forced to admit the truth on that rare occasion, yes, I think its important to take note and listen.
I think a lot of Americans (especially evangelicals) have a blind support for Israel, not realizing that the Israeli government is overrun by elitists just like our own. Defending the actions and rhetoric of the Israeli government is no different than defending the globalists in our own back yard. It's time to wake up to this nonsense, folks.
written by B Chandler , February 10, 2012
Not because it's logical or just, but because it serves THEIR purposes so well.
After all, they don't want all those jaded Iraqistan vets coming home and turning into Oathkeepers (sorry, I meant to say "lone wolf terrorists").
Better that they stick them in body bags. Much safer for the elite that way...
written by Frank Mc , February 10, 2012
Chandler has a point there. The guys in Afghanistan know what's up. They can't just be dropped back here and left to their own devices. Plus, what are they going to do back here, go into poverty?
Despite how it looks on the surface, the fact of the state of Israel is proof of the hand of their G_d moving, using whatever methods he cares to... God hasn't forgotten, abandoned, or replaced Israel, as many in American churches believe. That thought is the same as the one that allowed German Christians to turn a blind eye to the fate of their Jewish neighbors, friends, and family members as the were trucked away to their deaths.
Obviously, Israel isn't perfect, but they are still the apple of His eye. Don't mess with Israel! Those countries and individuals who do pay the price, and those who are not for Israel are against them.
Having said that, you also can't give them Carte Blanche.
written by Brandon Smith , February 10, 2012
@Frank
That kind of all or nothing philosophy is exactly what the elites want. "If you're not for Israel, you are against them"? Do you really think the Israeli government today is run by people who give half-a-tick about God? They are elitists, bud! They only care about themselves.
Criticizing the immoral actions of the Israeli government is not the same as criticizing the Israeli people, or their religion. Our government commits all kinds of attrocities I don't want to be associated with as an American. The all or nothing attitude is a path to death and disaster.
This crap has been so embraced by evangelicals because they are desperate to believe the Tim Lahaye cartoon version of the bible and that its all going to happen soon. Well, what if its NOT going to happen soon? What if by giving blind support to the elites who have infiltrated Israel, you are merely hastening global war and totalitarianism, and you are not going to be magically whisked away by god to watch the chaos at your leisure from the upper atmosphere? Think about it.
written by Ted long , February 10, 2012
I prepare because it just might not be the end times. I have a strong faith in God and believe the Bible, but no one knows the day that the rapture will happen. That said, I will support Israel. Are they spotless? No. By the way, I hear it's the Saudi's who keep hitting the Iranian scientists and facilities. They don't want a nuclear Iran either.
written by theron , February 10, 2012
President Bush et al are widely believed to have lied to get us into Iraq, for the oil. Obama won the next election. Now Obama is talking through his hat, massing forces around Iran.
"The Elites" and the corporations want what they want, and they're used to getting it. Well, I guess their methods still work for now, but they're transparent.
Whoever's in there, we get dead US military, dead foreigners, and a billion enraged Islamists who couldn't have hurt us, even if they hadn't been content to grow olives and dates.
So the wheat farmer in America, instead of growing his wheat, grabs a gun and shoots the Islamist, and comes home with nasty diseases our government won't take responsibility for. Talk about tits on a bull.
As for productive activities, I don't think starving foreign children is a normal activity for Americans. Such as we did those of Iraq, and are beginning to do to Iran, with sanctions. All on the say-so of those who gave us depleted uranium for our own children.
As for stupid activities, if anyone shoots at Iran, they're going to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. So we're going to lose any ships we have there, with all aboard. Oil and food prices will skyrocket. And China and Russia may take the view of the US that we did of the USSR, for identical reasons.
The only thing new I can see here, is DC's apparent plan to grab those Americans who "disagree" or "have a difference of opinion" with "the Administration".
This is quite a novel idea: go after Americans who warn the corrupt government is getting us killed, in the manner the Communists were once pursued. Since the Americans in question are not doing anything remotely resembling the Communists' activities ... make something up! Repeat as necessary for some hundreds of millions of heavily armed Americans who now know all about "the Elites".
written by Brandon Smith , February 10, 2012
@Ted
The Saudis are OWNED by the U.S. and Israel.
written by B Chandler , February 11, 2012
We can argue all we want about the causes of the situation but it's somewhat pointless. Better to simply prepare for massive food and gas prices.
Are the Saudis bought and paid for? Perhaps. Is it relevant? Not really.
Are the Israeili leaders globalist facists? Perhaps. Fact is that Israel, one way or another, is going to become our front line in the middle east. You can think of it as the western world's beach-head.
No sense in getting angry when no-one else is. Better to get prepared for when the social security payments stop coming through and the unemployed masses start having their cable TV cut off. That's when we'll see Obama's "change", and it wont be for the better.
written by Brandon Smith , February 11, 2012
@B Chandler
Actually, its very important for the average American to understand the depths to which Israel is being used by the elites to foment war. It's not enough for people to simply "prepare". That's about the same strategy as giving up. The point is to educate enough Americans so that there is NO public support for yet another conflict in the Middle East and we can avoid the results of WWIII. This is not a game. This is not intellectual grappling. This situation has very real and far reaching consequences. Either we stop this here and now, or we watch the world burn, and you watch your families suffer. THAT is how serious this is. All the existential debate, in the end, is just B.S. in comparison.
written by KTB , February 11, 2012
Get the average American to understand the depths used by the elites? That's about the same strategy as screaming at a brick wall. Trying to educate Any American has been a daunting task for me, even when you give them all the sites and historical information to see for themselves, I cant imagine getting enough Americans. I really dont think they give a rats ass about public support anymore NDAA, Drones, healthcare, TSA, endless wars, bail outs just to name a few. They are going to have WW3 to cover up the global economic collapse and to bring in there NWO. Your right this is not a game and I know dont have the intelect to grapple with you, but i know the situation is real and we have a lot of pain coming are way. Like you said in one of your past articals when they attack Iran it's time to head for the hills.
written by B Chandler , February 12, 2012
I'm not happy with the idea of an attack on Iran, nor am I happy with the idea of them having an nuclear weapon.
My opinion is simply that there's certain things that are, at this point, a guarantee.
You could give Ron Paul an hour on every network during prime time and you know what would happen? The populace at large would dust off their DVD players and watch Twilight for the 57th time.
Education is all good and well. I'm not knocking it. I'm just saying that when the time comes for actions you don't want to be left with nothing but words.
written by Bill Derberg3 , February 15, 2012
@Brandon.
I agree with Brandon that we must educate the masses in this country over our policy in the Middle East. If Ron Paul was not running for President, would we even see this debate in the MSM? The question in my mind is whether the rulling elites in this country choose to support Israel for reasons of economics(Egypt and Israel sit on both sides of the Suez Canal) OR for political reasons(Israel lobbying has vast influence in our gov't). Whenever someone like Paul brings up these issues(thank God), the good ole trick is bring up Anti-Semitism or a strong defense to not have the Halocaust happen again. Israel in my belief has a real axe to grind in this.
I also wanted to add in Israeli war's by proxy part, the USS Liberty and debatably 9/11. The Liberty was an attempt to bring the US in the 6 days war. They shelled the NSA ship tried to sink her while jamming their transmissions making the 7th Fleet think that the Egyptians were responsible. We had bombers in route to Egypt when we found out it was the Israelis. Would the Israeli's manufacture an event and then blame Iran? I think history speaks for itself!
written by openeyes , February 15, 2012
Thank you Brandon and others for showing you have the insight to see how our perpetual war cycle is not "serving our nation" beyond war profiteering domains, ultimately bringing our nation down with this historic "power" struggle I agree with others here that trying to educated the American populace is like speaking to a concrete wall, so ingrained into our collective brains has this been, even written into our National Anthem. Because, well heck, we were "founded on a revolutionary war" right? So we can of course be so omnipotent as to continue playing global cop? Wrong! One more war will end western civilization as we know it today. Our kids should not have to clean up this mess.
