Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Preparing for Covert Action
I've been arguing that since a direct military strike on Iran is not likely, but with diplomacy not appearing to be producing reslts for the Obama administration, the only real recourse will be covert action.
Mike Mazzetti, in today's New York Times, reveals a directive signed last fall by CENTCOM commander David Petraeus:
The seven-page directive appears to authorize specific operations in Iran, most likely to gather intelligence about the country’s nuclear program or identify dissident groups that might be useful for a future military offensive. The Obama administration insists that for the moment, it is committed to penalizing Iran for its nuclear activities only with diplomatic and economic sanctions. Nevertheless, the Pentagon has to draw up detailed war plans to be prepared in advance, in the event that President Obama ever authorizes a strike.
“The Defense Department can’t be caught flat-footed,” said one Pentagon official with knowledge of General Petraeus’s order.
Mike Mazzetti, in today's New York Times, reveals a directive signed last fall by CENTCOM commander David Petraeus:
The seven-page directive appears to authorize specific operations in Iran, most likely to gather intelligence about the country’s nuclear program or identify dissident groups that might be useful for a future military offensive. The Obama administration insists that for the moment, it is committed to penalizing Iran for its nuclear activities only with diplomatic and economic sanctions. Nevertheless, the Pentagon has to draw up detailed war plans to be prepared in advance, in the event that President Obama ever authorizes a strike.
“The Defense Department can’t be caught flat-footed,” said one Pentagon official with knowledge of General Petraeus’s order.
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Interesting ... traditionally, DOD did not want these kinds of missions; is this a case where DOD asked for the missions and wants to expand its role (the NY Times piece seems to indicate that Petraeus was the driving force behind the unconventional warfare order) or where the CIA said we can't/won't do these types of operations anymore?
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