We knew that US Forces had captured Iranian agents in Iraq last month, but we are just beginning to hear of the intel goldmine that came from that capture. Courtesy of Newsmax:
But now it’s come to light that the Iranians were carrying documents revealing their country’s activities in Iraq. An American intelligence official confirmed that Shiite Iran “is working closely with both the Shiite militias and Sunni Jihadist groups,” The New York Sun reported in an article headlined “Iran’s Secret Plan for Mayhem.”
The documents disclosed how the Quds Force — Iran’s elite revolutionary guard unit that supports Shiite Hezbollah and Shiite death squads — also supports individuals associated with al-Qaida in Iraq and the Sunni terror group Ansar al-Sunna.
Another U.S. official, who termed the captured documents a “smoking gun,” said: “We found plans for attacks, phone numbers affiliated with Sunni bad guys — a lot of things that filled in the blanks on what these guys are up to.”
According to the Sun, one document concludes that “Iraq’s Sunni neighbors will step up their efforts to aid insurgent groups and that it is imperative for Iran to redouble efforts to retain influence with them, as well as with Shiite militias.”
Always remember that “the Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend” is a MUSLIM proverb…
News that the Quds Force is actively supporting Sunni terrorists could threaten the close ties between Iraq’s ruling Shiites and Tehran. But U.S. policy-makers should be mindful of the new revelations that Iran is supporting Sunnis in Iraq as well as Shiites, according to Wayne White, a former State Department senior analyst on Iraq and Iran.
He told the Sun: “One example of a mindset that may hinder analysis of Iranian involvement is the belief that Iran would never have any dealings with militant Sunni Arabs. But they allowed hundreds of al-Qaida operatives to escape from Afghanistan across their territory in 2002.”
Time for another Sternly Worded Letter from the UN Security Council.
Though, I admit, I am far more inclined to the Precision Guided Diplomatic Message (I think the Navy calls them Tomahawk Cruise Missiles) …
Courtesy Pajamas Media :
A source close to Pajamas Media has learned that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has apparently succumbed to the cancer that hospitalized him last month, as exclusively reported by Pajamas Media, at age 67. He has been Iran’s most powerful figure since replacing Ayatollah Khomeini in the role of Supreme Leader in 1989.
While I have no particular heartburn with this godfather of fanatics speedily meeting Lucifer in person for some well deserved torture in whatever the Muslims call Hell, I am concerned that the potential would now exist for an even more radical, younger, and more vigorous fanatic to take his place, and work with President Ahmedine-whackjob on hastening the return of the 12th Imam, and the accompanying Armageddon.
Writing in the News Tribune , editor David Seago recently endorsed an editorial from Joseph Rago of the Wall Street Journal , concerning Blogs vs. Newspapers (of course, Mr. Seago didn’t Link to the original, even in the online version of his piece):
Blogs aren’t the cure for what ails newspapers or society these days. Done properly, they’re an important way for newspapers to adapt to the digital age. And many, if not most, independent blogs are stimulating and useful. But remember: On a good newspaper, nobody is a loose cannon – not even columnists and sportswriters and certainly not editorial writers.
If a newspaper pays your salary, somebody higher up on the food chain makes sure you stay within the bounds of propriety, fairness and accuracy – even in the realm of opinion. You can’t make up stuff and get away with it.
I wonder if Mr. Seago has forgotten the NY Times problems from Jayson Blair through the current intentional misreporting of infanticide of a healthy (post-natal) baby as an abortion; or the AP’s issues with fauxtography and the probably-doesn’t-exist Iraqi Police Source used in over 40 articles.
While it was the Blogs who exposed Rathergate, the scandals at Air America, and follow up on leads that don’t fit the MSM agenda.
As Mr. Rago points out (but Mr. Seago neglects to quote):
Certainly the MSM, such as it is, collapsed itself. It was once utterly dominant yet made itself vulnerable by playing on its reputed accuracy and disinterest to pursue adversarial agendas.
Far be it from me to dispute such august personages as these Professional Journalists.
I would note that there are two (at least) distinct forms of Blogger: News Producers, and Commenter’s.
The News Producers are the minority, but are what the MSM and Newspapers specifically should be concerned about. These folks - ranging from Mark Tapscott, to Brian Mulroney , to Michelle Malkin , and many others, The folks are doing the work that the MSM won’t, and in many cases not just scooping the “real Journalists”, but driving issues and stories INTO the MSM.
The Commenter’s (including yours truly) also serve a purpose in helping to sort through the glut of information on the web, and providing for discussion and insight of various readers on those issues. It is a dynamic, flowing system, that encourages dissemination of information and views.
I can certainly understand why Blogs are the subject of derision by the self appointed Guardians of Truth in the MSM. And I do NOT think that Blogs will really replace the Newspaper. But Newspapers will get to be more like Blogs. And the News Producer Blogs will become defacto Electronic Newspapers, as the line blurs.