Itching to Fight Another Muslim Enemy

[Echo In Light]

Itching to Fight Another Muslim Enemy
By Robert Parry

If you read the major American newspapers or watch the propaganda on cable TV, it’s pretty clear that the U.S. foreign policy Establishment is again spoiling for a fight, this time in Iran.

Just as Iraq’s Saddam Hussein was the designated target of American hate in 2002 and 2003, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is playing that role now. Back then, any event in Iraq was cast in the harshest possible light; today, the same is done with Iran.

Anyone who dares suggest that the situation on the ground might not be as black and white as the Washington Post's editors claim it is must be an “apologist” for the enemy regime. It’s also not very smart for one’s reputation to question the certainty of the reporting in the New York Times, whether about Iraq’s “aluminum tubes” for nuclear centrifuges in 2002 or regarding Iran’s “rigged” election in 2009.

It’s much better for one’s career to clamber onto the confrontation bandwagon. Nobody in the major U.S. media or in politics will ever be hurt by talking tough and flexing muscles regarding some Muslim “enemy.” And, if the posturing leads to war, it will fall mostly to working-class kids to do the fighting and dying while the bills can be passed along to future generations.

Even groups that should know better – like Votevets.org representing veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars – have been piggybacking on the organized hate campaign against Ahmadinejad and Iran to advance other political agendas. In cable TV ads, Votevets.org uses Ahmadinejad’s face and Iran’s alleged manufacture of some IEDs to press the case for alternative energy.

Indeed, looking at this American propaganda campaign objectively, you would assume that the only acceptable outcome of U.S. differences with Iran is another Iraq-like ratcheting up of tensions, using Washington’s influence within the UN Security Council to impose escalating sanctions, leading ultimately to another war, as if the lessons of Iraq have already been forgotten.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. I expect installing a new 'Shah' is too easy

the warmongers are 'chomping at the bit' for another war.

[harun]

10. A new Shah wouldn't be profitable enough for them. "War" isn't about ideology anymore,

it is about economics and profit.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Anything to keep the MIC happy.

Today Muslims tomorrow who knows.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Not. Going. To. Happen. nt

[el_bryanto]

8. It does seem farfetched to me, as well.

Bryant

[Robb]

4. Only if you haven't been paying attention.

The back-and-forth with Iran is long since old enough to buy its own beer. We still haven't invaded.

...Yet somehow with a Democrat in the White House, the time is now??? :rofl:

[grantcart]

5. Yes and getting broad multilateral support from China and Russia is

now seen as "lone ranger" activity.

Also Up is now officially down.


Right is categorically now considered left.


And for the next few weeks North has been assigned South.

[Robb]

6. Noted.

Perhaps if I flip my compass.... :D

Nope. Damn arrow.

[sui generis]

7. buy beer for its kids actually

The real truth of the matter is even if Obama WERE a hawk and we had brazillions of extra dollars and manpower laying around idle, going to war with a third Islamic country for any reason would ratchet up risk of an enormous economic and policy backlash on the world stage.

War is the very last measure of enforcement in foreign policy dispute, with foreign policy interests being defined primarily as our economic interests.

So, without a real economic interest to preserve (or teary flag and heart clutching Americans spurred to war by our braindead media), we really DON'T have an excuse to exercise the last measure first. The first measure is and always has been diplomacy, followed by sanctions, embargoes, ultimatums and "war" only at the very last point of escalation.

Are you still a dingbat? :P

[Echo In Light]

9. Bump

[tekisui]

11. The Pentagon has been saying Taliban and AQ have had some training in Iran.

Of course, that is ridiculous. As is any thought of invading or bombing Iran.