Stephen Lendman: Inventing an Iranian Threat !

• Inventing an Iranian Threat
  by Stephen Lendman, http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/ 
  Iran threatens no one. Western and Israeli leaders know it. So do over 100 Non-Aligned Movement countries coming to Tehran. They’ll be there from August 26 – 31. They’ll participate in NAM’s 16th summit.
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  Their presence endorses Iran’s legitimacy, extends support, shows disapproval of Western hostility and belligerence, and confers prestige when Tehran most needs it. Washington and Israel target the Islamic Republic relentlessly. Longstanding war plans await implementation. Media scoundrels and right-wing think tanks support it. They’re paid to endorse ravaging one country after another.
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  The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) calls itself “the most influential group on the issue of US-Israel military relations.” It “advocate(s) on behalf of a strong U.S. military, a robust national security policy and a strong U.S. security relationship with Israel and other like-minded democracies.”
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  It supports Israeli lawlessness, its regional dominance plans, and belligerence directed at Palestinians and other regional enemies. Founded in 1976, it seeks full Washington support. It wants both countries in lockstep on policy. It’s connected to military/industrial officials in both countries.
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  In January, the Jewish Daily Forward headlined “JINSA Leadership in Flux After Ouster,” saying:
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  Firing former executive director Shosana Bryen rankled other members. In protest, neocon stalwarts James Woolsey, Richard Perle, and Michael Ledeen quit Jinsa’s advisory board.
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  The Forward attributed what happened to “a messy transformation of power in the group’s top ranks and a struggle to maintain relevance and funding at a time of shrinking budgets and growing competition from other Jewish causes.”
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  Also at issue is a crowded neocon establishment. Organizations vie for influence, credibility, preeminence and funding. Having former high-level officials as board members and/or advisors is key. So are wealthy individuals and others connected to well-endowed right-wing foundations.
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  Jinsa won’t likely run out of influential members who matter. David Steinmann co-chairs its Board of Advisors. He formerly headed the right-wing William Rosenwald Family Organization. He’s closely connected to Israeli Lobby, defense, and other corporate interests.
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  Co-chair David Justman is a JP Morgan managing director and wealth management advisor. Vice chairman Morris Amitay formerly served as AIPAC’s executive director. He also founded the Washington Political Action Committee. Like Jinsa, it’s hawkishly pro-Israeli.
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  Board of Advisors members include numerous retired generals and admirals. It’s also stacked with pro-Israeli right-wing ideologues. Jinsa has no shortage of key people representing Israeli interests. Often they’re at odds with America’s.
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  Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer include Jinsa among other influential groups comprising the Israeli Lobby’s think tank arm. Its agenda supplements AIPAC. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee focuses on influencing administration and congressional policies. Jinsa works on military issues, ties between Pentagon and IDF officials, and America’s military/industrial complex. Post-9/11 Jinsa and like-minded groups called for expanding Washington’s military response. It argued for war on Iraq.
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  read more!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L033M6wqNCI]

“Iran doesn’t frighten me and I don’t think it should frighten the American people. They don’t have a bomb. They haven’t made a decision to build one. They don’t have the means to deliver one. And the Israelis have 300 atomic bombs! I mean who presents the existential threat to whom?” – Pat Buchanan (7:58 onwards)

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