U.S. Says Iran Ended Atomic Arms Work
By MARK MAZZETTI
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3 — A new assessment by American intelligence agencies concludes that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and that the program remains on hold, contradicting an assessment two years ago that Tehran was working inexorably toward building a bomb.
The conclusions of the new assessment are likely to be major factor in the tense international negotiations aimed at getting Iran to halt its nuclear energy program, and they come in the middle of a presidential campaign during which a possible military strike against Iran’s nuclear program has been discussed."
Fantastic news right? Finally a reason to stop banging the war drums up for action against Iran? Clear evidence that we need to use diplomacy rather than force right?
Wrong...
...According the the White House anyways.
With this fantastic news what does the White House have to say?
Today’s National Intelligence Estimate offers some positive news. It confirms that we were right to be worried about Iran seeking to develop nuclear weapons. It tells us that we have made progress in trying to ensure that this does not happen.
"Some" positive news? No, my friends down the street at 1600 Penn ... this is a blockbuster of positive news.
And what is the 2nd thing that the WH wants to say about this news? "It confirms that we were right?"
Is Bush and his team so demoralized about being wrong the the other I-country (Iraq) that the need to make sure we all know that they were in fact not entire wrong about this I-country (Iran).
More importantly, the WH thinks that its their accomplishment that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons. How? The NIE credited this:
The assessment, a National Intelligence Estimate that represents the consensus view of all 16 American spy agencies, states that Tehran’s ultimate intentions about gaining a nuclear weapon remain unclear, but that Iran’s "decisions are guided by a cost-benefit approach rather than a rush to a weapon irrespective of the political, economic and military costs."
Did I miss the line about "impending threats of war with the US" in that list? I didn't think so.
The WH wasn't done with its reaction to the news however.
But the intelligence also tells us that the risk of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon remains a very serious problem. The estimate offers grounds for hope that the problem can be solved diplomatically — without the use of force — as the Administration has been trying to do.
Just when you thought we could move away from this War on Terror/ Axis of Evil mantra that Washington has been spitting at us for 6 plus years ... more of the same ... "oh, Iran isn't looking for a nuke any more, well its still a very serious problem, 9/11, terror, ugh ... hate our freedom, 9/11."
And with the most blatant display of hubris, who does the administration credit with the success of Iran not trying to get a nuke? Itself. Yes, the Administration banging on the war drums, calling Iran part of the Axis of Evil, declaring their army a terrorist group, that is the diplomacy that lead to Iran backing down from the search for a nuke! Of course, how could I have thought anything else.
There is only one problem with that:
Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003
Whoops!
UPDATED: (as requested) Forgot to mention that Cheney, in order to beat the war drums for as long as possible, held up this document for over a year. Forgore provided me with a great analysis of the story here: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/...
The best news in all of this, is that the US Intelligence community has seemed to learn its lesson from Iraq. Instead of playing the Administrations cards for them, its clear that those who now hold the winning hand - diplomacy - are no longer bluffing and pushing their chips "all-in" on Bush.
It's time for Bush to fold.