Green Light

U.S. Republicans support Israeli military strikes against Iran

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Green Light
by jamal.abdi
25-Jul-2010
 

Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced a measure that would green-light an Israeli bombing campaign against Iran. The resolution, H.Res. 1553, provides explicit support for military strikes against Iran, stating that Congress supports Israel's use of "all means necessary" against Iran "including the use of military force". US military leaders have warned that strikes could be catastrophic to US national security interests and could engulf the Middle East in a "calamitous" regional war.

Nearly a third of House Republicans have signed onto the resolution, which has been publicly discussed and circulated by its lead sponsor, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), for months.

The National Iranian American Council is leading calls to oppose the measure, urging those concerned to demand that House Republican Leader John Boehner denounce the resolution.

The introduction of the measure coincides with a pattern of renewed calls for military strikes that have escalated since President Obama signed "crippling" Congressional Iran sanctions into law. Neoconservatives who were instrumental in orchestrating the Iraq War, such as Bill Kristol, and Reuel Marc Gerecht, have led the stepped up calls for military action.

Hawkish former Bush Administration official John Bolton recently laid out the game plan to prod Israel into attacking Iran, arguing that outsiders can "create broad support" for a strike by framing it as an issue of Israel's right to self defense. Supporters for military strikes, Bolton says, should "defend the specific tactic of pre-emptive attacks" against Iran. He urges that Congress can "make it clear" that it supports such strikes and that "having visible congressional support in place at the outset will reassure the Israeli government, which is legitimately concerned about Mr. Obama's likely negative reaction to such an attack."

In spite of enthusiasm from the neocons, top US military leaders have warned of the many dangers of military strikes against Iran. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has argued, "Another war in the Middle East is the last thing we need. In fact, I believe it would be disastrous on a number of levels." Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs has expressed his own serious reservations about an attack, stating, "Iran getting a nuclear weapon would be incredibly destabilizing. Attacking them would also create the same kind of outcome. In an area that's so unstable right now, we just don't need more of that." General David Petraeus has warned that a strike on Iran would be utilized by the Iranian government to unite it's otherwise divided populace.

Simulations have been conducted over the past year to assess the outcome of a preemptive military strike against Iran. One such simulation, by the Brookings Institution's Saban Center, found that strikes would draw the US into the conflict that would engulf the region into war, and would enable Iran to use the attacks as an opportunity to unite the Iranian people and dismantle its opposition. The simulation also found that the strikes could not destroy Iran's nuclear program but merely set it back a few years.

An Oxford Research Group report released recently reinforced those findings and also warned that an Israeli attack would be disastrous and would be unlikely to stop Iran's nuclear program. Instead, the report concluded attacks could convince Iran to withdraw from the international Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty and to aggressively seek to develop nuclear weapons.

Iranian activists have urged that even raising the specter of war undercuts the opposition in Iran. "The mere fact that Obama didn't make military threats made the Green Movement possible," noted Akbar Ganji. "A military attack would destroy all of that."

Send your letter demanding that House Republican Leader John Boehner denounce the Iran War Resolution

AUTHOR

Jamal Abdi is Policy Director at the National Iranian American Council (NIAC).

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khaleh mosheh

خیمه شب بازیجدید از جمهوری تجاوز گر اسلامی

khaleh mosheh


It is becoming so hard not to notice how there is a fake campaign of supposed antagonism is going on between supposedly supporters of AN and the Ayatoshah Khamenie. Now we are meant to belive that AN is supported by the rich Noth Tehranis and Khamenie is supported by the Southern boys (or was it the other way round ?).

AhamadiNejad and Khamenie  worked harmoniously together to unleash a murderous  and  brutal  suppression of the Iranian peoples wishes and working in unison to maintain their tyrannical rule and disastrous economic mismanagement of the country. Yet now we are expected to beleive that these guys are at odds with other.

The claims that AN is supported in North Tehran would have been funny if it was not so tragic. Fortunately this Punch and Judy show is so clearly false that no one is in danger of believing it to be a representation of reality in the Iranian society today. 

 


September Bloom

Open letter to RP

by September Bloom on

Mr. Pahlavi, I hope it is ok that I address you as such. I know that yoru supporters call you “His Imperial Majesty,” but the year is 2010, so I don’t think it makes any sense any longer.

I am writing to say that I am happy to see that you have made statements against war with Iran. Though I have lived most of my life in the US, I have visited Iran several times, and I have a lot of family there as well. I worry about them often. Because the regime, as you know, is extremely brutal.

I also worry about war, because bombs don’t have brains. They destroy everything in their path, not just mullahs. In fact, bombs and mullahs have that in common.

I was happy about your statement because I know that two years ago, my neighbors in Westwood said that they had attended a meeting with our congressperson organized by your office, in which encouragement for war was given.

So I am glad that you have, at least in words, walked back from that position.

But I am not satisfied. Just saying that you oppose war isn't enough. It needs to be proven, and you have an amazing opportunity to show that you stand squarely against war.

Republicans in Congress have introduced a bill green-lighting an Israeli attack on Iran. (Israeli bombs don’t have brains either).

Since you are closer to the Republicans than to the Democrats, your voice is needed more than ever before. Please use your influence with these Republicans. Please write an open letter to the Republican leadership expressing your opposition to the bill. Please schedule a meeting the top republicans in the House and the Senate as well.

Show us all that you are serious when you say that you oppose war. And show these Republicans that you are serious. I don’t think there are many Iranians in the US that would have the influence you can have on these Republicans.

If these steps aren't taken, your silence will be interpreted by many that you are all talk, no action. Or even worse, that you atually support war and that you say one thing in public, another behind the scenes.

Please prove these skeptics wrong. And please HELP prevent an Israeli war with Iran.


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, bavafa واله الاغ حیوان نجیبی است

I Voted Ahmadinejad


اله ما(بچه های جنوب تهران) از نژاد اسب هستیم. سواری میدیم و به کاه و یونجه بحور و نمیر قانع هستیم. اینکه امروز خر شده ایم چونکه روباهء بی مرفعت بعد ار اینکه حسابی سواری گرفت یگ گار از کمر ما گرفت. ما هم خر شدیم همچون لگدی انداختیم که بچه روباه پرتاب شد تا لندن. خلاصه روباهء حالا حساب کارش کرده. اگر کسی ما را گاز نگیرد ما همان اسب نحیب که جنگ میرفت و میمرد تا خروسهای بالا شهر بتوانند به مرغهایشان برسند خواهیم بود.
البته طاوسی مثل شما بایستی کنار وایسه که خدای نکرده لگد ما بهش نخورد.

ram jams


Bavafa

I voted Ahmadinejad:

by Bavafa on

Any olagh is capable of jooftak-zadan, but can it behave like a peace loving, respecting others member of society is the question.

ISK: Your idea and wishes for Iranians resembles greatly of those you follow, i.e. khamenie.

Mehrdad


Mola Nasredeen

یا قمر بنی هاشم!

Mola Nasredeen


said Hazrate shotor after reading the latest comments.


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It is not a threat it is a promise ISK

by I Voted Ahmadinejad on

In the upcoming month of ramadan, we, the kids from South Tehran, will make every male soosol of north Tehran and their recently adopted firends agazadehs wear hejab, and you know we are capable of it.

 

ram jams


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Imam

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

The Imam has been stuck in the hole. Nukes are not going to bring him out. The only way is Vaseline. Get a big tub of it and pour it in the well to grease it up.

Stop calling for attacking Iran. My Vaseline method is better to get the Imam Zaman out and no collateral damage.


i_support_khamenie

South Tehrani AN supporters fleecing Iran's welfare system

by i_support_khamenie on

Ok, what exactly is the point of having these Southern Tehrani AN supporters if they have very little purchasing power to actually help the economy and instead are living off of the welfare system in Iran.

I hope this Ramadan, we see Al Qaeda teach those Ahmadinejadi supporters in South Tehran a few suicidal lessons.....they are plenty of those dim green mosques where the carpet is as thin as the socks people wear.


i_support_khamenie

US & Israel, PLEASE drop your nukes on Sistan Baluchistan

by i_support_khamenie on

Sounds like a never ending boring tv serial.

Drop the effing bombs PLEASE.

Every chance in the world was given to rulers to reform and get their act together and they screwed it. So please drop the bombs.

go after the infrastructure. take out the communications center and the rulers will come begging and riding Ayat. Hamedani, Mesbah Yazdi and Makrem Shirazi and offering them to the Israelis for some gay forced sex.

While you're at it, please drop a nuke on Sistan Baluchestan. Let them be the sacrificial lamb while the rest of us Iranians learn. Plus given their high education and sunni beliefs they will quickly reproduce and get themselves stuck in a life of poverty.

If you must attack Tehran, go a bit south...Ahmadinejad supporters are down their...they have very little purchasing power but they are fleecing Iran's welfare system.


Dan Huck

Pre-emptive Shunning of Israeli Overkill Supporters Called For

by Dan Huck on

The threatened attack on Iran would be in retaliation for Iran's attempt to be it's own country, for it's desire to be the caretaker of it's own natural resources, and for it's unwillingness to have unreasonable trust, that is without protections and guarantees, towards the nuclear powers like ourselves to dominate the nuclear power business by limiting the rights of non-nuclear weapons states to uranium enrichment, even within the protections of the NPT. The Republicans and other supporters of such pre-emptive crimes against humanity are willing to support this inhuman behavior for our friends, the Israelis. As we have been in the past, we would write a new chapter in our complicity with Israel's overkill. Some suspect Israel of desiring to wipe the neighborhood clean by starting it's next 'operation' with Lebanon, and then allowing all willing comers to participate in the madness. Ehud Barak has threatened Lebanon it will respond in accord with it's 'Dahiye Doctrine' of gratuitous devastation, if it feels provoked. By definition, the provocations need only be barely perceptible.

An international Gandhi-style passive resistance tactic of World-wide shunning of all supporters of Israel's Dahiye methods would be a reasonable reaction to Israel's way of dealing with their neighbors. The so-called Dahiye Doctrine of employing tremendous force disproportionate to provocations which Israel implemented during Operation Cast Lead of 2008-2009, the blitzkreig-style invasion of Israel's own occupied territory, wherein they killed approximately 1400 people over the 'provocation' of approximately 10 Israelis killed during an 8 year period by rockets fired by Gazans towards Israeli towns which had been established on Palestinian territory by Israel after Israel had razed the homes and businesses of the former occupants of the Palestinian villages, is widely condemned by the countries of the world and by the UN. The Goldstone Report commissioned by the UN documents the commission of apparent war crimes and crimes against humanity. Now Israel is threatening Lebanon with Dahiye. They have been threatening Iran over it's claimed peaceful nuclear power program.

Now even the Israeli military investigation, which in no way can be expected to be anything but one-sided, has admitted serious crimes were committed by Israeli soldiers and commanders during operation Cast Lead. But the US government supported the action insofar as it has been unwilling to see the Goldstone Report go to the International Criminal Court where it belongs.

Preemptive shunning of supporters of Israel's unacceptable actions perhaps is the only way to try to deal with this problem. It is not anti-Jewish; three quarters of the US Congress are supporters, but something has to be done prior to the next Israeli Dahiye action: All governments need to be made fully aware of the degree to which  people are outraged. The American government especially has not gotten the message.

Even passive resistance, and especially an expression of it like this, is a form of confrontation, and absolutely will involve sacrifices. Relationships will be harmed, businesses will be harmed, people will be angry. What do we do? Hand our friend or relative a card indicating our determination?

What other way do we have?


عموجان

Great news

by عموجان on

That means it is getting closer for Imama Zaman to come out of what ever hell hole he is hiding. Ali or Ahmadi couldn't get him out, now we have to wait for Israeli, and Ahmadi keep bad mouthing them. By Now IRI air force are circling above Ali's bedroom. Does IRI has any air force? 


MM

VPK/Mehrdad/Anahid

by MM on

Remember that NIAC was initially formed to fend off the crap that was thrown to the Iranian-Americans after 9/11.  However, I also want NIAC to take a more active role regarding IRI, but with the personnel limitation NIAC has, I do not see them able to fend off MKO, neo-cons, AIPAC and IRI all together.  Nonetheless, we could ask them to try and if they need more resources, then it will be up to Iranian-Americans to support the efforts.

 


Anahid Hojjati

Dear MM, Bavafa, and VPK jan, thanks

by Anahid Hojjati on

Dear Bavafa, VPK and MM: Thanks for your comments addressed to me. VPK said it well. I am not leaving NIAC but would like to see more vigorous position from them regarding IRI 's crimes.


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

MM Jaan

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Anahid has good points. NIAC is taking a very silent approach regarding IRI. I am also a member of it. I am not leaving NIAC but would rather see a more vigorous voice from them; and I hope we get there. 

Regarding dropping bombs: The operative word is "some". There will always be some people who take irresponsible positions. There were Iranians like Salman Farsi who sided with Arabs. There were Iranians *in* Iran who sided with Saddam. There were Americans who sold weapons to the Germans in WWII. There were Americans who gave secrets to Soviets in the cold war. That is the nature of people. Just because you are born somewhere does not necessarily make you loyal.


Bavafa

Anahid:

by Bavafa on

There is no doubt WE ALL need to do more to combat the IRI regime, specially their nearly daily violation of the human rights abuses at the same time organize and fight this moronic march to war from US and Israel.

NIAC, like most other organizations is far from perfect and in many ways it is our job and responsibility to either participate and make it more representative of our values and wishes or work to provide alternative if they resist to do so. One thing for sure that does not serve Iranian-American community interest at all is to shut and remove any voice we may have in areas that affects us so profoundly, namely Iran.

Mehrdad


MM

Anahid -

by MM on

read the thread & see how some Iranians, who are apparently completely removed from Iran, are willing to drop >2300 MOPs (1500 lb bunker-busting bombs) on Iran irregardless of civilian casualties.


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ISK

by Doctor X on

Get real.


Anahid Hojjati

I am NIAC member but they do disappoint me sometimes

by Anahid Hojjati on

I have not read all the comments on this thread but I do like to voice my disappointment at some NIAC actions. I am not an NIAC enemy, as a matter of fact, I have been a member for few years. However, I do get disappointed at NIAC when I see that the number of articles NIAC writes against Iranian students not being able to take Test of English as a Foreign Language is fast exceeding NIAC articles against IRI's human rights violations. Where is NIAC 's sense of proportions? The fact that Iranian students cannot take this test is not that significant that NIAC has to write about it day in and day out. Meanwhile people like Mansour Osanloo and Majid Tavakoli and so many others are behind bars. Focus of NIAC seems to be sometimes on wrong issues. To NIAC officials who might read my comment, I would like to say that please find your focus. Otherwise, you will alienate some of your longtime members.


Majid

.

by Majid on

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Majid

.

by Majid on

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جان من را آتش زدی

I Voted Ahmadinejad


I ve seenpeopl, in this site, who think they are English language instructors and critics and pick on others' spelling and grammer but this is the first time I see somebody with a degree in Persian litreture.

The question mark '?' goes for the sex of fooladi not his intelligence, dont be sexist. fooladi can be a man as well as a woman, what would Iknow?

No it is 'assal' not 'shierehe', No it is hoye, which in English is prounanced Hoo.

I m sorry for mispelling name of Esteer and Mardkha*&^%!!!! I cant even say his name never mind write it.

فقط به خاطر گل روی تو

Hold on , I m going get some body to write arabic for you, then you have proof of me being a real Arab.

انا اسمي ( انا صوت لاحمدي نجاة

ان احمدي نجاة ليس اميا مثلك 

الامية ليست مرتطبة بشعب او بأمة دون الاخرى و لكن اسوأ الناس من يعتقد بانه مثقف  مطلع و ليس له في عالم الثقافة مكان و لا يعرف من كلمة ثفاقة الا كتابة حروفها

Given your languastic skill, you should not have any problem understanding what just has been said or would you???


Majid

.

by Majid on

.


i_support_khamenie

Why attack Iran and not India or Pakistan

by i_support_khamenie on

Because India and Pakistan are not causing irrational war in the Middle East like Iran does.

Both India and Pakistan act in their nation's best interest.

Iran act in Palestine and Lebanon's best interest. So why should you expect the government to be rational????

Anyhow, iranian local newspapers are not taking this news seriously so why should we. Attack or not: if it means Ahmadinejad supporters will learn a thing or two about foreign diplomacy, then why not. Sometimes hard headed peope need a wake up call.

Actually AN keeps warning the US and ISrael that if they attack this and that will happen to them. I thought he considered US and Isreal enemies, so why would he want those twso countries to avoid their end if it means war on Iran. Let's see how true AN warnings turn out to be.


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bavafa, dont let them intimidate you

by I Voted Ahmadinejad on

One thing is Republican propagands for Nov mid term election, which i wish they win(republicans have been always better for Iran than democrats, i,e, Bush who removed Sadam), another thing is to post the bs on such website to intimidate you and me, iranians in Iran dont get to read this site.

جواب سلام علیک است و جواب های هو است

aint it politically correct??the bs posters started first and they must be looking for same apporach. I m just doing them a favour by playing along and tell them :

هیچ گوهی نیستن

you dont have to fight alnog Sepah, which in this case would be what I am doing now, but dont worry, no one 'dare to bomb Iran because of sepah.

ram jams


Escape

DUH

by Escape on

  This is what happens when you make enemies and your proud to do it.Your proud to brag about your anti-Zionism,your independence,your 'region',your Anti Isreal Rhethoric,your Anti-republican rhethoric.

 

DUH..


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like a mouse

by I Voted Ahmadinejad on

last year,they used to be dogs and barking. This year, they became mouses and sniffing.

ram jams


Bavafa

I voted Ahmadinejad:

by Bavafa on

Stupid dare such as yours is just as dumb and treacherous as the threats coming from the warmongers and traitors.

I sure as hell hope and wish their threat never materialized, not only because I do not want to see any more death and destructions brought to Iran and Iranians then already has been subjected to by our own regime, but also I do not wish for myself or many other brave Iranians having to fight side by side by revolutionary guards.

Mehrdad


benross

REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA

by benross on

Yes. There is garbage thrown around by 'republicans' all around.


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REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA

by Saead Soltanpour on

IT LOOKS FIDEL CASTRO ON THE WAR AGAINST IRAN OR KOREA IS HAPPENING .

HOWEVER, N. KOREA TREATENINN USE OF ATMOIC ATTACK WHILE IRAN DOES NOT HAVE ONE .

THIS IS PROPAGADA MACHINE OF REPUBLICAN AGAINST OBAMA BEFORE NOV. US ELECTION. 

ISRAEL IS BASED AND LIVING ON CRICIS AND LOOKING FOR CRICIS , ANY ATTACK BY ISRAEL ON IRAN WILL BOOST IRANIAN TOTALIRIAN REGIME NOT IRANIAN PEOPLE.

 

 ANY ATTACK ON IRAN WILL MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST NOT SAFER PLACE FOR EVERY BODY

 

Saeed Soltanpour

روزنامه نگارو فعال حقوق بشر در تبعید - تورنتو

www.kanoun-e-bayan.blogspot.com

www.politic


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Once for change

by I Voted Ahmadinejad on

Back in March 2003 invasion of Iraq, A colleague of mine from Scottish background , with a grin on his face, said to me " the way things are going, they(allies) are going to be in tehran by next week." Since then I ve been waiting and waiting and waiting... Our brave men and women in the Iranian army and revolutionary guard have been practicing for that 'faithful day' however, zionists have yet to make good on their threat(promises)

بابا به خاطر ابراهیم و موسی و اسحاق به شرف ایستر و صداقت مردخاوی : به دنیا ثابت کنید که یک چیزی وسط پا دارید. حرفی که عمل پشتش نباشد حرف مفت است.

ram jams