Iran: Pieces in Place for Escalation
"The fuel for a fire is in place".
by Colonel Sam Gardiner
Global Research, January 16, 2007
The Left Coaster - 2007-01-14
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Editorial Note
The following text by Colonel Sam Gardiner (USAF, Retired) confirms our worst
fears. The US is in an advanced state of readiness to wage war on Iran.
To reverse the tide requires a massive campaign of networking and outreach to
inform people across the land, nationally and internationally, in
neighborhoods, workplaces, parishes, schools, universities, municipalities, on
the dangers of a US sponsored war, which contemplates the use of nuclear
weapons. The message should be loud and clear: It is not Iran which is a
threat to global security but the United States of America and Israel. Even
without the use of nukes, the proposed aerial bombardments could result in
escalation, ultimately leading us into a broader war in the Middle East.
Debate and discussion must also take place within the Military and Intelligence
community, particularly with regard to the use of tactical nuclear weapons,
within the corridors of the US Congress, in municipalities and at all levels of
government. Ultimately, the legitimacy of the political and military actors in
high office must be challenged.
The corporate media also bears a heavy responsibility for the cover-up of US
sponsored war crimes. It must also be forcefully challenged for its biased
coverage of the Middle East war.
What is needed is to break the conspiracy of silence, expose the media lies
and distortions, confront the criminal nature of the US Administration and of
those governments which support it, its war agenda as well as its so-called
"Homeland Security agenda" which has already defined the contours of a police
State.
The World is at the crossroads of the most serious crisis in modern history.
The US has embarked on a military adventure, "a long war", which threatens the
future of humanity. It is essential to bring the US war project to the
forefront of political debate, particularly in North America and Western
Europe. Political and military leaders who are opposed to the war must take a
firm stance, from within their respective institutions. Citizens must take a
stance individually and collectively against war.
Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research, 16 January 2007
---------------------------------
I do not accept the notion that the first casualty of war is truth. (Col. Sam
Gardiner)
The pieces are moving. Theyll be in place by the end of February. The United
States will be able to escalate military operations against Iran.
The second carrier strike group leaves the U.S. west coast on Tuesday. It
will be joined by naval mine clearing assets from both the United States and
the UK. Patriot missile defense systems have also been ordered to deploy to
the Gulf.
Maybe as a guard against North Korea seeing operations focused on Iran as
a chance to be aggressive, a squadron of F-117 stealth fighters has just been
deployed to Korea.
This has to be called escalation. We have to remind ourselves, just as
Iran is supporting groups inside Iraq, the United States is supporting groups
inside Iran. Just as Iran has special operations troops operating inside Iraq,
weve read the United States has special operations troops operating inside
Iran.
Just as Iran is supporting Hamas, two weeks ago we found out the United
States is supporting arms for Abbas. Just as Iran and Syria are supporting
Hezbollah in Lebanon were now learning the White House has approved a finding
to allow the CIA to support opposition groups inside Lebanon. Just as Iran is
supporting Syria, weve learned recently that the United States is going to
fund Syrian opposition groups.
We learned this week the President authorized an attack on the Iranian
liaison office in Irbil.
The White House keeps saying there are no plans to attack Iran.
Obviously, the facts suggest otherwise. Equally as clear, the Iranians will
read what the Administrations is doing not what it is saying.
It is possible the White House strategy is just implementing a strategy to
put pressure on Iran on a number of fronts, and this will never amount to
anything. On the other hand, if the White House is on a path to strike Iran,
well see a few more steps unfold.
First, we know there is a National Security Council staff-led group whose
mission is to create outrage in the world against Iran. Just like before Gulf
II, this media group will begin to release stories to sell a strike against
Iran. Watch for the outrage stuff.
The Patriot missiles going to the GCC states are only part of the missile
defense assets. I would expect to see the deployment of some of the
European-based missile defense assets to Israel, just as they were before Gulf
II.
I would expect deployment of additional USAF fighters into the bases in
Iraq, maybe some into Afghanistan.
I think we will read about the deployment of some of the newly arriving
Army brigades going into Iraq being deployed to the border with Iran. Their
mission will be to guard against any Iranian movements into Iraq.
As one of the last steps before a strike, well see USAF tankers moved to
unusual places, like Bulgaria. These will be used to refuel the US-based B-2
bombers on their strike missions into Iran. When that happens, well only be
days away from a strike.
The White House could be telling the truth. Maybe there are no plans to
take Iran to the next level. The fuel for a fire is in place, however. All we
need is a spark. The danger is that we have created conditions that could lead
to a Greater Middle East War.
[emphasis added by Global Research]
Sam Gardiner is a Retired Air Force Colonel. He is an expert in military
strategy. He has taught at the National War College. He has also taught at the
Air War College, the Naval War College and as visiting scholar at the Swedish
Defense College. His Truth In These Podia (pdf) explains the propaganda
methods used by the Pentagon to "sell the war".
See also the following 2005 Global Research review article on Sam Gardiner's
analysis of the Pentagon's Office of Strategic Influence: America's Ministry
of Propaganda Exposed, Downing Street Memo is but the Tip of the Iceberg, by
Gar Smith
Global Research Articles by Sam Gardiner
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