CIA gets the go-ahead to take on Hizbollah

Ray · 01-15-2007, 15:56 PM

Quote:

CIA gets the go-ahead to take on Hizbollah

By Toby Harnden, US Editor
Last Updated: 1:47am GMT 10/01/2007

# Con Coughlin: Siniora government's battle for survival

The Central Intelligence Agency has been authorised to take covert action against Hizbollah as part of a secret plan by President George W. Bush to help the Lebanese government prevent the spread of Iranian influence. Senators and congressmen have been briefed on the classified "non-lethal presidential finding" that allows the CIA to provide financial and logistical support to the prime minister, Fouad Siniora.

The finding was signed by Mr Bush before Christmas after discussions between his aides and Saudi Arabian officials. Details of its existence, known only to a small circle of White House officials, intelligence officials and members of Congress, have been passed to The Daily Telegraph.

It authorises the CIA and other US intelligence agencies to fund anti-Hizbollah groups in Lebanon and pay for activists who support the Siniora government. The secrecy of the finding means that US involvement in the activities is officially deniable.

The Bush administration hopes Mr Siniora's government, severely weakened after its war with Israel last year, will become a bulwark against the growing power of the Shia sect of Islam, championed by Iran and Syria, since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Mr Bush's move is at the centre of a fresh drive by America, supported by the Sunni states of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt as well as Israel, to stop Iranian hegemony in the Middle East emerging from the collapse of Iraq.

The finding, drawn up at the White House by National Security Council (NSC) officials, is a sign of Mr Bush's growing alarm at the threat posed by Iran, which has infiltrated the Iraqi government and is training Shia insurgents as well as supplying them with roadside bombs.

A former US government official said: "Siniora's under siege there and we are always looking for ways to help allies. As Richard Armitage [a former deputy US secretary of state] said, Hizbollah is the A-team of terrorism and certainly Iran and Syria have not let up in their support of the group."

Prince Bandar bin-Sultan, the former Saudi Arabian ambassador to Washington, is understood to have been closely involved in the decision to prop up Mr Siniora's administration and the Israeli government, which views Iran as its chief enemy, has also been supportive.

"There's a feeling both in Jerusalem and in Riyadh that the anti-Sunni tilt in the region has gone too far," said an intelligence source. "By removing Saddam, we've shifted things in favour of the Shia and this is a counter-balancing exercise.

Prince Bandar, now King Abdullah's national security adviser, made several trips to Washington and held meetings with Elliot Abrams, the senior Middle East official on the NSC.

Prince Turki al-Faisal resigned abruptly as ambassador to Washington last month. Intelligence sources said that a principal reason for this was his belief he had been undermined by Prince Bandar, who had not told him of the Lebanon plan or even that he was visiting Washington.

As a quid pro quo to the Sunni Arab states, Mr Bush and Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, have agreed to work harder to re-start negotiations about a peace deal with the Palestinians.

According to the Swoop website (theswoop.net), which contains briefings on diplomatic and intelligence matters: "US officials point to the Israeli release of some tax monies owed to the Palestinian Authority as the first fruits of this approach.

Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former clandestine CIA officer, said that such a finding would involve "various steps and types of non-military activity" agreed to by the Lebanese. "It takes two to tango. You're only those things that the Lebanese themselves would want you to do," he said.

Bush administration officials have spoken of their desire to promote "mainstream" Arab states and have even spoken of the existence of a "Sunni crescent" in the Middle East. But there is tension between this policy and the support for Nouri al-Maliki's Shia-led government in Iraq, which has links to Shia death squads and Iran.

"The administration is reaping its own whirlwind after Iraq," said the intelligence source. "For 50 years the US preferred stability over legitimacy in the Middle East and now it's got neither. It's a situation replete with ironies."

toby.harnden@telegraph.co.uk
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../10/wleb10.xml

There is no doubt that the Shia ascendancy instead of parity is a cause for concern not only for the US, but also for the Sunni states and indeed, Israel.

With the Iraqi govt openly attempting to convert Iraq into a Shia domination, it does not portend well since the Shia crescent will span from Western Afghanistan all the way to Syria including Eastern Saudi Arabis. The world major oilfields will be in this Shia crescent.

It is time that the Shia power is curbed and a Shia Sunni parity is established!

Charging CIA with this task is a step in the right direction!

**Julie** · 01-15-2007, 21:50 PM

"There's a feeling both in Jerusalem and in Riyadh that the anti-Sunni tilt in the region has gone too far," said an intelligence source. "By removing Saddam, we've shifted things in favour of the Shia and this is a counter-balancing exercise."

Well, duh....is somebody finally getting a whiff of the coffee brewing?

Geez.

troung · 01-15-2007, 23:06 PM

Quote:

It is time that the Shia power is curbed and a Shia Sunni parity is established! Charging CIA with this task is a step in the right direction!

A step in the wrong direction. It is time top send Nixon so to say to open China... or Cheney to Iran...

It is high time to drop the Saudis.

**Julie** · 01-15-2007, 23:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troung

It is high time to drop the Saudis.

Hey, hey....you're onto something there.

troung · 01-15-2007, 23:37 PM

If the rise of Shiites scare the Saudis and company then fine so be it. Hopefully the Shiites in Saudi Arabia rise up and get their rights.

We can either divide and rule them or switch up and leave the Russians and Chinese with the basket case Saudis...

Jay · 01-16-2007, 00:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troung

A step in the wrong direction. It is time top send Nixon so to say to open China... or Cheney to Iran...

It is high time to drop the Saudis.

Well, first the power has to be balanced

troung · 01-16-2007, 00:34 AM

Yeah we ought to sell off our decommed F-14s to Iran and use the Shiite death squads to restore order in Iraq. Turning a profit while providing stability. If the Saudis complain about the Shiites getting rid of the dregs they funnel in to blow themselves up and their own Shiites getting ideas on freedom then too bad.

Balance the sides my dear chap

.

Spread the Shiite revival.

And make some money.

Galrahn · 01-16-2007, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie

"There's a feeling both in Jerusalem and in Riyadh that the anti-Sunni tilt in the region has gone too far," said an intelligence source. "By removing Saddam, we've shifted things in favour of the Shia and this is a counter-balancing exercise."

Well, duh....is somebody finally getting a whiff of the coffee brewing?

Geez.

I think it is interesting the way this thread has developed. Things have shifted in the favor of the Shia? Really? Does anyone actually believe that?

The Shia are in reality the lesser threat, yet the more aggressive. Iran's recent military record includes a defeat to Iraq in the 80s and conflicts of terrorism against Israel, both of which resulted in less than impressive demonstrations of Iranian military power. The Shia "threat" is political so long as it doesn't go nuclear, and can be contained as such so long as nuclear capability is deterred.

The Sunni however are at least as dangerous, even without Saddam. Saudi Arabia alone is outspending most of Europe in defense spending now that the US no longer has troops there, and the equipment being purchased includes some of the best equipment available in Europe. Saudi Arabia also continues to be the largest private citizen financial supplier of Al Qaeda, which appears to have an endless source of money from its financial network contacts.

If the CIA wants to do any good, they need to break up the financial system of Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, and find a way to temper the Shia aggressiveness in an effort to avoid future military confrontations. I am starting to wonder if that last is going to be possible for the CIA without performing the accepted regional standard for establishing power, specifically a military response that leaves no question the limits or lack thereof regarding military power.

Ray · 01-16-2007, 01:50 AM

There is hardly any choice between the Shias or the Sunnis when and where their self interest as a sect clashes or when Islam is involved.

Emotions do not rule foreign policy.

Can Saudis be abandoned? Who will then fuel the industries and the economy of the West? Already Russia is making it immensely difficult for Western Europe and is making inroads into the Caspian Area once again. Calculate the effect on the Western economy if this oil and gas is denied as also the Middle East oil and gas should it come under the sway of Iran if the Shia crescent does come into being. Alternate energy is a good buzz word. It if were so easy, then oil and gas would have been history!

Iran under no circumstances will jump on the US bandwagon and religion and sect comes before anything else to the Moslems as is so evident by the Iraqi govt attempting to scuttle the US directions in Iraq, mostly likely at the behest of Iran! Iran is the leading nation amongst the Shias and this position, like it or not, will remain so, notwithstanding the wishful thinking of many! It is easy to say Iran should be deterred from going nuclear. Was the poverty stricken North Korea deterred? So, how can one stop a cash rich Iran unless the international community wills it and the international community is playing footsie!

Therefore, the knot with Saudi will remain the Gordian knot for the US. It will be difficult to cut the tie! If it could be done, then the US would have abandoned it long back.

It maybe all fine for encouraging the Iraqi Shia death squads to undertake a genocide of the Sunnis. But how does it appear on the geoploitical and geostrategic scene?

The Shia crescent will span from West Afghanistan - Iran - Iraq - Eastern Saudi Arabia - Syria and Lebanon. It will encompass the major oilfields of the world. It will thus make a 'pretty picture' for US interests, or would it not? It will then divide the 'unity' amongst the western world since survival would be the war cry!

While the Sunnis have subjugated to Western interests so far, the Shias have never given the US this honour except for the brief spell under the Shah of Iran! The recent "success" of the opposition to the US and it allies by the Shias (Iran and Hezbollah) has proved a heady elixir and one wonders if they will subjugate themselves to US interest. On the contrary, while they will never be able to match the US or the West militarily, they will be hard at work to skew US' applecart economically and politically, apart from being a constant pinprick!

Therefore, the US and the West has to ensure that there is parity in the Sunni Shia power play amongst nations in the Middle East, as also within Iraq itself.

In so far as to whether the power shift has moved the Shia way, it is adequate to see who is making it difficult on the international scene and in particular, for US interests. The Sunnis are quiet and obeying the US but Iran, the Malliki govt, the Hezbollah (so much so the CIA has been tasked to bolster the Lebanese PM against the Shias) are up in arms, so to say! And they are Shias.

In the embattled Islamic world where they feel they are under attack, the Sunnis have been defeated as a whole (pinpricks of the AQ notwithstanding), but the Shias are still defying the US; and the Hezbollah, in the Moslem eyes, have "defeated" Israel, a nation which had repeatedly made the Moslem nations (Sunnis) lick their wounds like whipped dogs in every war and forced msot of them to sue for peace including recongising Israel!

The US effort (Rice's visit to ME) and Israelis willing to loosen the purse strings for Palestine is not without good reasons!

If emotions made foreign policies, then the world would have been a different place. Hard, inexplicably logic defying and ambiguous decisions seems to be the touchstone of successful foreign policies!

Commando · 01-16-2007, 08:12 AM

Im curious to see whether they can achieve such goals. It will be tough to stop Iranian influence throughout Lebanon. But if anyone could achieve it, it would probably be the CIA.

Ray · 01-16-2007, 10:27 AM

Iraq edges closer to Iran, with or without the U.S.

By Louise Roug and Borzou Daragahi, Times Staff Writers
January 16, 2007

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government is moving to solidify relations with Iran, even as the United States turns up the rhetorical heat and bolsters its military forces to confront Tehran's influence in Iraq.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...ck=1&cset=true

Ray · 01-16-2007, 10:52 AM

Part 1 - 01/16/07
Is Iran driving new Saudi diplomacy?

In the Monitor
Tuesday, 01/16/07

BEIRUT, LEBANON - Saudi Arabia is playing a more assertive diplomatic role in Lebanon, attempting to bridge rising tension between Lebanese Sunnis and Shiites while curbing Iran's influence in the tiny Mediterranean country, analysts say.

Wary of its own restless Shiite population, Riyadh is deeply concerned at what it sees as a determined drive by Shiite Iran to expand its influence into the mainly Sunni Middle East.

"The Saudis are fighting Iran in Lebanon now because if they don't, they will be fighting them in their own land," says Sarkis Naoum, a Lebanese political commentator.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0116/p06s02-wome.html

durtyburd · 01-16-2007, 20:36 PM

Is there any chance that we can get the Saudis and Iranians to blow each other to smitherines?

**Julie** · 01-16-2007, 23:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galrahn

I think it is interesting the way this thread has developed. Things have shifted in the favor of the Shia? Really? Does anyone actually believe that?

Guessing lesser of two evils?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galrahn

Saudi Arabia alone is outspending most of Europe in defense spending now that the US no longer has troops there, ...

I missed that....since when did the US no longer have troops in Saudi?

dalem · 01-17-2007, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie

Guessing lesser of two evils?

I missed that....since when did the US no longer have troops in Saudi?

It's been awhile. I think we moved everyone out during the buildup to OIF. I think.

-dale

01-16-2007, 01:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 27,228 Country:	There is hardly any choice between the Shias or the Sunnis when and where their self interest as a sect clashes or when Islam is involved. Emotions do not rule foreign policy. Can Saudis be abandoned? Who will then fuel the industries and the economy of the West? Already Russia is making it immensely difficult for Western Europe and is making inroads into the Caspian Area once again. Calculate the effect on the Western economy if this oil and gas is denied as also the Middle East oil and gas should it come under the sway of Iran if the Shia crescent does come into being. Alternate energy is a good buzz word. It if were so easy, then oil and gas would have been history! Iran under no circumstances will jump on the US bandwagon and religion and sect comes before anything else to the Moslems as is so evident by the Iraqi govt attempting to scuttle the US directions in Iraq, mostly likely at the behest of Iran! Iran is the leading nation amongst the Shias and this position, like it or not, will remain so, notwithstanding the wishful thinking of many! It is easy to say Iran should be deterred from going nuclear. Was the poverty stricken North Korea deterred? So, how can one stop a cash rich Iran unless the international community wills it and the international community is playing footsie! Therefore, the knot with Saudi will remain the Gordian knot for the US. It will be difficult to cut the tie! If it could be done, then the US would have abandoned it long back. It maybe all fine for encouraging the Iraqi Shia death squads to undertake a genocide of the Sunnis. But how does it appear on the geoploitical and geostrategic scene? The Shia crescent will span from West Afghanistan - Iran - Iraq - Eastern Saudi Arabia - Syria and Lebanon. It will encompass the major oilfields of the world. It will thus make a 'pretty picture' for US interests, or would it not? It will then divide the 'unity' amongst the western world since survival would be the war cry! While the Sunnis have subjugated to Western interests so far, the Shias have never given the US this honour except for the brief spell under the Shah of Iran! The recent "success" of the opposition to the US and it allies by the Shias (Iran and Hezbollah) has proved a heady elixir and one wonders if they will subjugate themselves to US interest. On the contrary, while they will never be able to match the US or the West militarily, they will be hard at work to skew US' applecart economically and politically, apart from being a constant pinprick! Therefore, the US and the West has to ensure that there is parity in the Sunni Shia power play amongst nations in the Middle East, as also within Iraq itself. In so far as to whether the power shift has moved the Shia way, it is adequate to see who is making it difficult on the international scene and in particular, for US interests. The Sunnis are quiet and obeying the US but Iran, the Malliki govt, the Hezbollah (so much so the CIA has been tasked to bolster the Lebanese PM against the Shias) are up in arms, so to say! And they are Shias. In the embattled Islamic world where they feel they are under attack, the Sunnis have been defeated as a whole (pinpricks of the AQ notwithstanding), but the Shias are still defying the US; and the Hezbollah, in the Moslem eyes, have "defeated" Israel, a nation which had repeatedly made the Moslem nations (Sunnis) lick their wounds like whipped dogs in every war and forced msot of them to sue for peace including recongising Israel! The US effort (Rice's visit to ME) and Israelis willing to loosen the purse strings for Palestine is not without good reasons! If emotions made foreign policies, then the world would have been a different place. Hard, inexplicably logic defying and ambiguous decisions seems to be the touchstone of successful foreign policies! Last edited by Ray : 01-16-2007 at 02:02 AM.

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01-15-2007, 21:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Julie Moderator Join Date: 08-04-03 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 6,641 Country:	"There's a feeling both in Jerusalem and in Riyadh that the anti-Sunni tilt in the region has gone too far," said an intelligence source. "By removing Saddam, we've shifted things in favour of the Shia and this is a counter-balancing exercise." Well, duh....is somebody finally getting a whiff of the coffee brewing? Geez.

01-15-2007, 23:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
troung A Self Important *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-03-03 Posts: 4,304 Country:	If the rise of Shiites scare the Saudis and company then fine so be it. Hopefully the Shiites in Saudi Arabia rise up and get their rights. We can either divide and rule them or switch up and leave the Russians and Chinese with the basket case Saudis...

01-16-2007, 00:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
troung A Self Important *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-03-03 Posts: 4,304 Country:	Yeah we ought to sell off our decommed F-14s to Iran and use the Shiite death squads to restore order in Iraq. Turning a profit while providing stability. If the Saudis complain about the Shiites getting rid of the dregs they funnel in to blow themselves up and their own Shiites getting ideas on freedom then too bad. Balance the sides my dear chap . Spread the Shiite revival. And make some money.

01-16-2007, 08:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
Commando Contributor Join Date: 01-01-05 Posts: 412 Country:	Im curious to see whether they can achieve such goals. It will be tough to stop Iranian influence throughout Lebanon. But if anyone could achieve it, it would probably be the CIA.

01-16-2007, 10:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 27,228 Country:	Iraq edges closer to Iran, with or without the U.S. By Louise Roug and Borzou Daragahi, Times Staff Writers January 16, 2007 BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government is moving to solidify relations with Iran, even as the United States turns up the rhetorical heat and bolsters its military forces to confront Tehran's influence in Iraq. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...ck=1&cset=true

01-16-2007, 10:52 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 27,228 Country:	Part 1 - 01/16/07 Is Iran driving new Saudi diplomacy? In the Monitor Tuesday, 01/16/07 BEIRUT, LEBANON - Saudi Arabia is playing a more assertive diplomatic role in Lebanon, attempting to bridge rising tension between Lebanese Sunnis and Shiites while curbing Iran's influence in the tiny Mediterranean country, analysts say. Wary of its own restless Shiite population, Riyadh is deeply concerned at what it sees as a determined drive by Shiite Iran to expand its influence into the mainly Sunni Middle East. "The Saudis are fighting Iran in Lebanon now because if they don't, they will be fighting them in their own land," says Sarkis Naoum, a Lebanese political commentator. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0116/p06s02-wome.html

01-16-2007, 20:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
durtyburd Regular Join Date: 10-07-06 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 111	Is there any chance that we can get the Saudis and Iranians to blow each other to smitherines?

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