Chomsky

Our security is being put at even greater risk by the Bush Administration's continuing threats against Iran.
Bush and Cheney's Threats and Actions Risk Accidental War with Iran.


"They're certainly issuing threats very publicly and openly. Not only the words but even the actions. So, for example, the last couple of years, the United States has provided to Israel over a hundred advanced jet bombers openly advertised as capable of bombing Iran and returning. I don't think a word about that has been published in the United States but it's public information. You can read it in the Israeli press, you can read it in military journals. Certainly Iranian intelligence knows it.

Furthermore, deploying major naval forces in the Gulf, right off shore from Iran, is an obvious threat. I mean, if Iran was deploying major naval forces in the English Channel or the Caribbean, you can bet that the United States and London would be pretty upset about it. In fact, they'd go to war.

Capturing Iranian officials in northern Iraq, that's provocation. The United States is almost certainly - we, you know, can't prove it but the evidence is pretty strong - is supporting secessionist groups - terrorist groups in fact, in Iran. Recently, there was an attack from Baluchi based, Pakistani based terrorists, other groups are being supported. You know, all that is very provocative. That's all over and above the overt threat. The overt threats to Iran are a crime. They're a major violation of the United Nations Charter which outlaws the threat or use of force in international affairs. Threat of force is a violation of the Charter, it's a violation of law. In outlaw states, like the United States and Britain where law doesn't matter much, there's very little comment on that. But definitely the threats are there and all of this could lead to just an accidental war." - Noam Chomsky NOTE: This is an edited version of what Chomsky said excerpted from a video recorded 6/5/07. See this link for the aprox. 10 min. long video source: Noam Chomsky - Q&A @ Sussex University (2a)

Below are some examples of background info:

"Experts say the ultra-sophisticated development of the battle-tested F16 Fighting Falcon, to be named Sufa (Storm in Hebrew), sports a much-increased range of 1,500 kilometres (around 930 miles) without needing in-flight refuelling, allowing them to reach anywhere in the Middle East.

Media reports said this new capability could allow the Israeli Air Force (IAF) to hit suspected nuclear targets in Iran, as it did in Iraq in June 1981 when it bombed the Osirak reactor near Baghdad.

Built by US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin

The procurement of 102 of the two-seater jets at an estimated cost of 4.5 billion dollars is the biggest defense deal in Israel's history.

For its part, Lockheed Martin is committed to 2.6 billion dollars worth of reciprocal procurements, of which 1.1 billion has already been made.

Funding for the contract comes from US military aid to Israel which totals around two billion dollars per year.

Israel placed its first order for 50 aircraft in 1999, with a second order made in 2001. Delivery is slated for completion by 2009.

With the 102 new Sufa jets, and another 230 Fighting Falcons, Israel will command the second largest F-16 fleet in the world behind the United States." - Israel receives two new-generation F-16I fighter jets RAMON AIR BASE, Israel (AFP) Feb 19, 2004

"In other words, these 100 fighter jets are a gift from U.S. taxpayers to the Israeli air force."- See the post Israel and the U.S. on this page

"The Israel Air Force has significantly upgraded the level of its cooperation with the United States Air Force and now receives regular updates on American procurement decisions, The Jerusalem Post has learned. ... We are interested in many of the same platforms and systems, and the Americans look at us as a small-scale laboratory of themselves," a high-ranking IAF officer told the Post. "Now every time the USAF signs a contract and purchases something new, they will update us." - IAF, USAF greatly upgrade cooperation By YAAKOV KATZ, The Jerusalem Post

"The Hebrew daily Maariv is reporting that Israel is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear weapons sites in cooperation with the United States. The paper reports that the Israel Air Force has been training on long-range flights, including refueling in mid-flight. The training has apparently been going on for some time, but it was only released for publication today." - Israel preparing to strike Iran, Maariv, June 22, 2007

Here is what the blog called "theblotter" at abcnews.com was willing to report about the U.S. support of terrorists based in the Baluchistan province in Pakistan who attack inside Iran:

"A Pakistani tribal militant group [ABC doesn't use the word terrorist, is this because the U.S. is supporting them?] responsible for a series of deadly guerrilla raids inside Iran has been secretly encouraged and advised by American officials since 2005, U.S. and Pakistani intelligence sources tell ABC News.

The group, called Jundullah, is made up of members of the Baluchi tribe and operates out of the Baluchistan province in Pakistan, just across the border from Iran.

It has taken responsibility for the deaths and kidnappings of more than a dozen Iranian soldiers and officials.

U.S. officials say the U.S. relationship with Jundullah is arranged so that the U.S. provides no funding to the group, which would require an official presidential order or "finding" as well as congressional oversight." - ABC News Exclusive: The Secret War Against Iran April 03, 2007 Brian Ross and Christopher Isham Report

Interventions

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Perilous Power: The Middle East & U.S. Foreign Policy: Dialogues on Terror, Democracy, War, and Justice

The Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel and the Palestinians

Support The Public Campaign to Stop the Lies and the Denial of the Main Motive for the 9/11 Attacks: U.S. Support for Israel