/CORRECTED REPEAT/Obama’s Case for Syria Didn’t Reflect Intel Consensus

[Jefferson23]

By Gareth Porter

WASHINGTON, Sep 9 2013 (IPS) - Contrary to the general impression in Congress and the news media, the Syria chemical warfare intelligence summary released by the Barack Obama administration Aug. 30 did not represent an intelligence community assessment, an IPS analysis and interviews with former intelligence officials reveals.

The evidence indicates that Director of National Intelligence James Clapper culled intelligence analyses from various agencies and by the White House itself, but that the White House itself had the final say in the contents of the document.

Leading members of Congress to believe that the document was an intelligence community assessment and thus represents a credible picture of the intelligence on the alleged chemical attack of Aug. 21 has been a central element in the Obama administration’s case for war in Syria.

That part of the strategy, at least, has been successful. Despite strong opposition in Congress to the proposed military strike in Syria, no one in either chamber has yet challenged the administration’s characterisation of the intelligence. But the administration is vulnerable to the charge that it has put out an intelligence document that does not fully and accurately reflect the views of intelligence analysts.

in full: http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/09/obamas-case-for-syria-didnt-reflect-intel-consensus/

[VanillaRhapsody]

1. funny then that Putin and Assad have offered up the weapons

that you seem to be saying here that Obama ginned up!

[Jefferson23]

2. I beg your pardon, Assad confirmed Obama's intel on responsibility?

Point that out.

[Igel]

3. We can quibble and wrangle.

The UN inspectors will weigh in and have some very important evidence.

If it's low-grade sarin, it's likely that the "Syrian regime" will be off the hook. One must get approval and win as many points as possible before they weigh in, just in case.

If it's high-grade sarin, then we're left with a conundrum. Was the use of sarin authorized or mandated at the top, so degrading C&C is a good thing; or was it an "independent thinker" who "questioned authority" at the wrong time (or a coward) and used the sarin without authorization, in which case further degradation of the Syrian C&C structure is a very bad thing?

So much fighting over yes/no when the wiser course is "wait until we have as much data as possible." Of course, that's also billed as the "Why do you love Assad, you racist ODS-possessed sockpuppet?" position by those who believe in doing something, because doing something is more important than doing the right thing.

[Jefferson23]

4. The US should have waited for the UN in the first place, their choices and actions have

done nothing to promote an accurate case nor a legal solution...shameful and an embarrassment.