lost l behind the scenes in arizona l we’re on the road to Zimbabwe! l Inside occupied in the washington DC l america: the grim truth usa l the dream that became a nightmare ColdType

TheWRITING WORTHReade READING l ISSUE 46 l Mary 2010 B ru c e gi ff in Detroit Chasing the vultures away By Ron Williams. Photographs by Bruce Giffin

PLUS l the lies of liberation l the unshakable truth of haiti ColdType TheReader Issue 46 May 2010

lost in the usa 3. chasing the vutures away from detroit Ron Williams 9. behind the scenes in arizona Greg Palast 11. My american nightmare Stacey Warde Editor: Tony Sutton 14. we’re on the road to zimbabwe David Michael Green ([email protected]) 17. america: the grim truth Lance Freeman To subscribe, 22 inside occupied washington Dc Stephanie Westbrook send an email to: [email protected] (Write subscribe in the subject line)

Opinions expressed in The ColdType Reader are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher 24. the unshakable truth in haiti Jesse Hagopian

Cover Photo by Bruce 29. liberation’s lies Felicity Arbuthnot Giffin: Houses slated 34. trying to explain the plunder and the crime Danny Schechter for demolition in Detroit 37. Zero tolerance on workplace slaughter Sam Pizzigati 39. the pentagon papers are public this time David Swanson 41. warmongers of the world, unite John Pilger 43. Putting the pope on trial George Monbiot 45. anderson cooper and class solidarity Joe Bageant 48. a grand adventure Fred Reed 50. facing the threat from the far right Chris Hedges 53. shell and the irish fishermen Miriam Cotton 56. collateral damage of smart sanctions Ali Fathollah-Nejad 58. is iran really a threat to world peace? Ray McGovern

2 TheReader | May 2010 Iran And The West Collateral damage of smart sanctions The prospects for democracy, socio-economic development, and conflict resolution will suffer if the West continues to rely on punitive measures, writes Ali Fathollah-Nejad

As the history of the his time, the warmongers’ silly sea- structure. The much neglected difficulty here West–Iran conflict son found its apogée in U.S. neo- – though it is widely acknowledged that the proves, sanctions conservative Daniel Pipes’ advice to bulk of Iranian economy is now in the hands of have rather kept the Obama to “bomb Iran,” shortly after the Guardians – is that millions of civilians con- state of crisis alive TTony Blair, having outlined why he helped in- nected to these wide-ranging sectors thought than contributed to vade Iraq, remarked ominously, “We face the to be controlled by the Guardians will be af- its resolution same problem about Iran today.” The UK’s fected. Seen in this light, the gigantic dimen- Chilcot Inquiry into the launching of the Iraq sion of these alleged “smart sanctions” comes War ironically coincided with a considerable to the fore. military build-up in the Persian Gulf region. All Moreover, so-called “crippling sanctions” this occurred amidst the continued struggle of that target the petrol supply to Iran are still en Iran’s civil rights movement and proclamations route. In anticipation of those U.S. unilateral of Western leaders to be in support of the lat- sanctions, the world’s largest insurance com- ter’s efforts. But is there any evidence for this? panies have announced their retreat from Iran. Sanctions are widely portrayed as necessary, This concerns both the financial and shipping almost healthy medicine to bring about change sectors, and affects petrol supplies to Iran which in the opponent’s policies. However, as the imports 40 percent of its needs. Also three gi- history of the West–Iran conflict proves, sanc- ant oil traders ended supplies to Iran, which tions have rather kept the state of crisis alive amounted to half of Tehran’s imports. Needless than contributed to its resolution. Nonetheless, to say, such sanctions ultimately harm the pop- Western governments do not seem to have lost ulation. To add, a complete implementation their dubious fascination for them. thereof – i.e. preventing Asian competitors to “Smart sanctions”, it is claimed, are a magic step in – would require a naval blockade which wand with which to decapitate evil. In the Irani- amounts to an act of war. an case, evil is identified with the Islamic Revo- As stressed by civil society figures and lutionary Guards Corps. Originally a defense economists, the price of sanctions is being organization to counter Iraqi aggression in the paid by the Iranian population. The Iranian 1980s, the Guardians have developed into an economy – manufacturing, agriculture, bank expansive socio-politico-economic conglomer- and financial sectors etc. – has been hurt from ate believed to possess great economic and po- almost three decades of sanctions. Even today, litical power in today’s Islamic Republic. businesses cannot easily obtain much needed As we are told, “smart sanctions” shall tar- goods on the international market to continue get the Guardians’ grip on the Iranian power production and must often pay above-standard

56 TheReader | May 2010 Iran And The West prices. Moreover, the scientific community a fig leaf for other agendas. For, in contrast to The only way has faced discrimination in areas of research Western proclamations, sanctions do harm civil forward would be and Iran’s technological advances been slowed society while cementing the position of hard- to adopt a set of down. Reflecting the dangers sanctions pose liners. Iran’s middle class, as a result, will be af- policies that would to the Green Movement, last fall Mir-Hossein fected by this further isolation of the country disarm hardliners Mousavi said, “We are opposed to any types of as sanctions punish honest traders and reward of all sides whose sanctions against our nation.” The same was corrupt ones. The Guardians with their as- business flourishes recently uttered by his fellow opposition leader sumed 60 harbors in the Persian Gulf control in the vicious cycle Mehdi Karroubi in an interview with Corriere the bulk of imports and sanctions will only bol- of enmity della Serra. ster the trend of flourishing “black channels”. Meanwhile a more fundamental problem One might indeed argue that the not-so-un- remains, one that is hardly acknowledged by conscious “collateral damage” of never-ending many proponents who succumb to the adven- sanctions is any meaningful transition to more turous illusion of having a say in the design and democracy in Iran – a prospect which would set implementation of sanctions: They are mainly an uncomfortable precedent for the West’s au- designed by the American Israeli Public Affairs thoritarian friends in the region. Committee (AIPAC), introduced to the U.S. At the very least, the unending story of Congress and finally implemented by the Trea- sanctions bears testimony to Western leaders’ sury Department’s Under Secretary for Terror- commitment to uphold “credibility” in the face ism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey of adverse conditions as much as to imposing – an AIPAC confidant. Along this process, the their will on Iran. A futile exercise – even a dan- Ali Fathollah- potential suffering by Iran’s civil society hardly gerous one – if one begins to contemplate the Nejad is a plays a role. aftermath of “smart sanctions” being imposed: German–Iranian Sanctions – either “crippling” or “smart” – Will the next desperate move entail “surgical political scientist; ultimately harm ordinary citizens. “Smart sanc- strikes”? Ph.D. researcher tions” is as much of an oxymoron as “smart Instead of going on believing that sanctions in International weapons” which supposedly through “surgical will one day develop their desired effects, it is Relations at the strikes” only take out evil components. Indeed, high time to put the brakes. Hence, the only universities of much as in the case of their militaristic broth- way forward would be to adopt a set of poli- Münster (Germany) ers-in-sprit, in the end the “collateral damages” cies that would disarm hardliners of all sides and London (School of “smart sanctions” remain dominant. whose business flourishes in the vicious cycle of Oriental and More generally, in an increasingly multi- of enmity. It is only by détente that grist to the African Studies). polar globalized world, sanctions imposed mills of radicalism can be removed – and a sus- The author of upon energy-rich countries are basically futile tainable de-securitization of Iranian politics at- the German as an effective policy tool. Too numerous are tained. Revoking existing sanctions on goods language book, business-driven actors that are only too happy for civilian use could work wonders that would The Iran Conflict to jump in. Thus, Chinese, Russian, and even shake the very fundaments of confrontational and the Obama U.S. companies (acting via Dubai) have hugely postures. Administration: benefitted from the European, U.S.-pressured Despite all frivolous claims, the diplomatic Old Wine in withdrawal from the Iranian market. route has not been exhausted. Indeed, we are New Skins? he Thus, sanctions – a medicine with which far from it. Since the core problem remains the is currently a Western policy-circles are so obsessed with – “security dilemma” in the region, it would be Visiting Lecturer are not a cure but a slow poison applied to the wise for the West to call upon to join the in globalization civil society. Sanctions as prototype of econom- Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The and development ic warfare in concert with the seasonal flaring- transatlantic “coercive strategy” vis-à-vis Iran at the University up of war-mongering are a dangerous mix. The – as it is accurately described in Diplomatic of Westminster, deafening “drums of war” continue to bang Studies – must be suspended for it undermines London. His upon the beating heart of Iran’s civil society. prospects for peace and development towards web site is www. All this suggests that sanctions are perhaps democracy. CT fathollah-nejad.com

May 2010 | TheReader 57 Taking Sides Is Iran really a threat to world peace? The Obama administration ratchets up the rhetoric about Iran, but Ray McGovern wonders if this is just more dangerous hype

In a rambling ecretary of State [pursuing a nuclear weapon] is exactly what comment, Clinton said publicly that Iran “doesn’t di- they are trying to do, which is deeply con- had lamented that, rectly threaten the .” cerning, because it doesn’t directly threaten despite President Her momentary lapse came while the United States, but it directly threatens a ’s Sanswering a question at the U.S.-Islamic lot of our friends, allies, and partners here reaching out to the World Forum in Doha, Qatar, on Feb. 14. in this region and beyond.” Iranian leaders, he Fortunately for her, most of her Fawn- had elicited no sign ing Corporate Media (FCM) fellow travelers Qatar afraid? Not so much they were willing must have been either jet-lagged or sunning The moderator turned to Qatari Prime Min- to engage themselves poolside when she made her ister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Al-Thani unusual admission. and invited him to give his perspective on And those who were present did Clinton “the danger that the Secretary just alluded the favor of disappearing her gaffe and ig- to…if Iran gets the bomb.” noring its significance. (All one happy trav- Al-Thani pointed to Iran’s “official an- eling family, you know.) swer” that it is not seeking to have a nuclear But she said it: it’s on the State Depart- bomb; instead, the Iranians “explain to us ment Web site. Those who had been pool- that their intention is to use these facilities side could even have read the text after for their peaceful reactors for electricity and showering. They might have recognized a medical use… real story there – but, granted, it was one “We have good relations with Iran,” he so off-message that it would probably not added. “And we have continuous dialogue we welcomed by editors back home. with the Iranians.” In a rambling comment, Clinton had The prime minister added, “the best lamented that, despite President Barack thing for this problem is a direct dialogue Obama’s reaching out to the Iranian lead- between the United States and Iran,” and ers, he had elicited no sign they were willing “dialogue through messenger is not good.” to engage: Al-Thani stressed that, “For a small coun- “Part of the goal – not the only goal, but try, stability and peace are very important,” part of the goal – that we were pursuing was and intimated – diplomatically but clearly to try to influence the Iranian decision re- – that he was at least as afraid of what Israel garding whether or not to pursue a nuclear and the U.S. might do, as what Iran might weapon. And, as I said in my speech, you do. know, the evidence is accumulating that that All right. Secretary Clinton concedes that

58 TheReader | May 2010 Taking Sides

Iran does not directly threaten the United Shortly after Obama became U.S. Presi- Our normally States; so who are these “friends” to whom dent, veteran reporter Helen Thomas asked articulate she refers? First and foremost, Israel, of him if he knew of any country in the Middle President course. East that has nuclear weapons, and Obama stuttered his way How often have we heard the Israelis awkwardly responded that he didn’t want through with a say they would consider nuclear weapons to “speculate.” mini-filibuster in Iran’s hands an “existential” threat? But On April 13, 2010, Obama looked like a answer, the let’s try a reality check. deer caught in the headlights when the highlight of which Former French President Jacques Chirac Washington Post’s Scott Wilson, taking a leaf was, “And, as far is perhaps the best-known statesman to out of Helen Thomas’ book, asked him if he as Israel goes, hold up to ridicule the notion that Israel, would “call on Israel to declare its nuclear I’m not going to with between 200 and 300 nuclear weap- program and sign the Non-Proliferation comment on their ons in its arsenal, would consider Iran’s Treaty.” program …” possession of a nuclear bomb an existential Our normally articulate President stut- threat. tered his way through with a mini-filibuster In a recorded interview with the New answer, the highlight of which was, “And, as York Times, the International Herald Tribune, far as Israel goes, I’m not going to comment and Le Nouvel Observateur, on Jan. 29, 2007, on their program …” Chirac put it this way: The following day the Jerusalem Post “Where will it drop it, this bomb? On smirked, “President Dodges Question Israel?” Chirac asked. “It would not have About Israel’s Nuclear Program.” The article gone 200 meters into the atmosphere be- continued: “Obama took a few seconds to fore Tehran would be razed.” Thus, Iran’s formulate his response, but quickly took possession of a nuclear bomb would not be the weight off Israel and called on all coun- “very dangerous.” tries to abide by the NPT.” The Jerusalem Post added that Israeli De- Chirac and a hard place fense Minister Ehud Barak chose that same Soon, the former French president found day to send a clear message “also to those himself caught between Chirac and a hard who are our friends and allies,” that Israel place. He was immediately forced to retract, will not be pressured into signing the Nucle- but did so in what seemed to be so clumsy a ar Non-Proliferation Treaty. way as to deliberately demonstrate that his (Also the following day, the Washing- initial candor was spot on. ton Post made no reference to the question On Jan. 30, Chirac told the New York from its own reporter or Obama’s stumbling Times: “I should rather have paid attention non-answer.) to what I was saying and understood that In his response to Scott Wilson, Obama perhaps I was on record. … I don’t think I felt it necessary to tack on the observation spoke about Israel yesterday. Maybe I did that his words regarding the NPT represent- so, but I don’t think so. I have no recollec- ed the “consistent policy” of prior U.S. ad- tion of that.” ministrations, presumably to avert any ad- The Israeli leaders must have been laugh- verse reaction from the Likud Lobby to even ing up their sleeve at that. Their continued the slightest suggestion that Obama might ability to intimidate presidents of other be ratcheting up, even a notch or two, any countries – including President Barack pressure on Israel to acknowledge its nucle- Obama – is truly remarkable, particularly ar arsenal and sign the NPT. when it comes to helping to keep Israel’s The greatest consistency to the policy, precious “secret,” that it possesses one of however, has been the U.S. obsequiousness the world’s most sophisticated nuclear ar- to this double standard. Clearly, Washing- senals. ton and the FCM find it easier to draw black-

May 2010 | TheReader 59 Taking Sides

I am reminded of and-white distinctions between noble Israel Likud Lobby. an early Sunday and evil Iran if there’s no acknowledgement Someone wrote into his speech: “Jerusa- morning talk show that Israel already has nukes and Iran has lem will remain the capital of Israel and it over five years disavowed any intention of getting them. must remain undivided.” This obsequious ago at which This never-ending hypocrisy shows itself gesture went well beyond the policy of prior Sen. Richard in various telling ways. I am reminded of an U.S. administrations on this highly sensi- Lugar, then chair early Sunday morning talk show over five tive issue, and Obama had to backtrack two of the Senate years ago at which Sen. Richard Lugar, then days later. Foreign Relations chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Com- “Well, obviously, it’s going to be up to the Committee, was mittee, was asked why Iran would think it parties to negotiate a range of these issues. asked why Iran has to acquire nuclear weapons. Perhaps And Jerusalem will be part of those nego- would think it has Lugar had not yet had his morning coffee, tiations,” Obama said when asked if he was to acquire nuclear because he almost blew it with his answer: saying the Palestinians had no future claim weapons “Well, you know, Israel has…” Oops. At to the city. that point he caught himself and abruptly The person who inserted the offending stopped. The pause was embarrassing, but sentence into his speech was not identified he then recovered and tried to limit the nor fired, as he or she should have been. My damage. guess is that the sentence inserter has only Aware that he could not simply leave the risen in power within the Obama adminis- words “Israel has” twisting in the wind, Lu- tration. gar began again: “Well, Israel is alleged to So, why am I reprising this sorry history? have a nuclear capability.” Because this is what Israeli Prime Minister Is “alleged” to have? Lugar was chair of Benjamin Netanyahu sees as the context of the Foreign Relations Committee from 1985 the U.S.-Israeli relationship. to 1987; and then again from 2003 to 2007. Even when Israel acts in a manner that No one told him that Israel has nuclear flies in the face of stated U.S. policy – calling weapons? But, of course, he did know, but on all nations to sign the NPT and to submit he also knew that U.S. policy on disclosure to transparency in their nuclear programs – of this “secret” – over four decades – has Netanyahu has every reason to believe that been to protect Israel’s nuclear “ambigu- Washington’s power-players will back down ity.” and the U.S. FCM will intuitively understand Small wonder that our most senior offi- its role in the cover-up. cials and lawmakers – and Lugar, remem- L’Affaire Biden – when the Vice President ber, is one of the more honest among them was humiliated by having Israel announce – are widely seen as hypocritical, the word new Jewish construction in East Jerusalem Scott Wilson used to frame his question. as he arrived to reaffirm U.S. solidarity with The Fawning Corporate Media, of course, Israel – was dismissed as a mere “spat” by ignores this hypocrisy, which is their stan- the neoconservative editorial page of the dard operating procedure when the word Washington Post. “Israel” is spoken in unflattering contexts. Rather than Israel making amends to the But the Iranians, Syrians and others in the United States, it has been vice versa. Middle East pay closer attention. Obama’s national security adviser, James Jones, trudged over to an affair organized by Obama Overachieving the AIPAC offshoot think tank, Washington As for Obama, the die was cast during the Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), to presidential campaign when, on June 3, make a major address. 2008, in the obligatory appearance before I got to wondering, after reading his text, the American Israel Public Affairs Commit- which planet Jones lives on. He devoted his tee (AIPAC), he threw raw red meat to the first nine paragraphs to fulsome praise for

60 TheReader | May 2010 Taking Sides

WINEP’s “objective analysis” and scholar- emboldening terrorists and extremists who Even a ship, adding that “our nation – and indeed threaten the United States and our allies.” rudimentary the world – needs institutions like yours Iranian capability now more than ever.” A Bigger Mousetrap? could work as a Most importantly, Jones gave pride of Jacques Chirac may have gone a bit too far deterrent the next place to “preventing Iran from acquiring in belittling Israel’s concern over the possi- time the Israelis nuclear weapons and the means to deliver bility of Iran acquiring a small nuclear capa- decide they would them,” and only then tacking on the need bility, but it is truly hard to imagine that Is- like to attack to forge “lasting peace between Israelis and rael would feel incapable of deterring what Lebanon, Syria Palestinians.” He was particularly effusive would be a suicidal Iranian attack. or Gaza. Clearly, in stating: The real threat to Israel’s “security inter- the Israelis would “There is no space – no space – be- ests” would be something quite different. If prefer not to have tween the United States and Israel when it Iran acquired one or two nuclear weapons, to look over their comes to Israel’s security.” Israel might be deprived of the full freedom shoulder at what Those were the exact words used by Vice of action it now enjoys in attacking its Arab Tehran might President Joe Biden in Israel on March 9, neighbors. contemplate doing before he was mouse-trapped by the an- Even a rudimentary Iranian capability in the way of nouncement of Israel’s plans for East Jeru- could work as a deterrent the next time retaliation salem. the Israelis decide they would like to attack The message is inescapably clear: Netan- Lebanon, Syria or Gaza. Clearly, the Israelis yahu has every reason to believe that the would prefer not to have to look over their Siamese-twin relationship with the United shoulder at what Tehran might contemplate States is back to normal, despite the sug- doing in the way of retaliation. gestion from CENTCOM Commander, Gen. However, there has been a big downside , earlier this year that total for Israel in hyping the “existential threat” identification with Israel costs the lives of supposedly posed by Iran. This exagger- American troops. ated danger and the fear it engenders have Petraeus’s main message was that this caused many highly qualified Israelis, who identification fosters the widespread im- find a ready market for their skills abroad, pression that the U.S. is incapable of stand- to emigrate. ing up to Israel. The briefing that he spon- That could well become a true “existen- sored reportedly noted, “America was not tial threat” to a small country traditionally only viewed as weak, but there was a grow- dependent on immigration to populate it ing perception that its military posture in and on its skilled population to make its the region was eroding.” economy function. However, in the address to WINEP, Na- The departure of well-educated secular tional Security Adviser Jones evidenced no Jews also could tip the country’s political concern on that score. Worse still, in hyping balance more in favor of the ultra-conser- the threat from Iran, he seemed to be chan- vative settlers who are already an important neling Dick Cheney’s rhetoric before the at- part of Netanyahu’s Likud coalition. tack on Iraq, simply substituting an “n” for Still, at this point, Netanyahu has the the “q.” Thus: initiative regarding what will happen next “Iran’s continued defiance of its interna- with Iran, assuming Tehran doesn’t fully ca- tional obligations on its nuclear program pitulate to the U.S.-led pressure campaign. and its support of terrorism represents (sic) Netanyahu could decide if and when to a significant regional and global threat. A nu- launch a military strike against Iran’s nucle- clear-armed Iran could transform the land- ar facilities, thus forcing Washington’s hand scape of the Middle East…fatally wounding in deciding whether to back Israel if Iran the global non-proliferation regime, and retaliates.

May 2010 | TheReader 61 Taking Sides

If Iran sought to Netanyahu may not be impressed – or The NIE’s update is now projected for retaliate, would deterred – by anything short of a public pro- completion this August, delayed from last Obama feel nouncement from Obama that the U.S. will fall reportedly because of new incoming in- compelled to come not support Israel if it provokes war with formation. to Israel’s defense Iran. The more Obama avoids such blunt The Post article recalls that the 2007 and “finish the job” language, the more Netanyahu is likely NIE presented the “startling conclusion” by devastating to view Obama as a weakling who can be that Iran had halted work on developing a what was left of played politically. nuclear warhead. Why “startling?” Because Iran’s nuclear and If Netanyahu feels himself in the catbird this contradicted what President George W. military capacity? seat, then an Israeli attack on Iran seems Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney had to me more likely than not. For instance, been saying during the previous months. would Netanyahu judge that Obama lacked It is a hopeful thing that senior intelli- the political spine to have U.S. forces in gence officials from both CIA and the De- control of Iraqi airspace shoot down Israeli fense Intelligence Agency have, the way aircraft on their way to Iran? Many analysts the Post puts it, “avoided contradicting the feel that Obama would back down and let language used in the 2007 NIE,” although the warplanes proceed to their targets. some are said to privately assert that Iran is Then, if Iran sought to retaliate, would seeking a nuclear weapon. Obama feel compelled to come to Israel’s The Post says there is an expectation defense and “finish the job” by devastating that the previous NIE “will be corrected” to what was left of Iran’s nuclear and military indicate a darker interpretation of Iranian capacity? nuclear intentions. Again, many analysts believe that Obama It seems a safe, if sad, bet that the same would see little choice, politically. Likud-friendly forces that attacked experi- Yet, whatever we think the answers are, enced diplomat Chas Freeman as a “real- the only calculation that matters is Israel’s. ist” and got him “un-appointed,” after Na- My guess is Netanyahu would not anticipate tional Intelligence Director Dennis Blair had a strong reaction from President Obama, named him Director of the National Intelli- who has, time and again, showed himself to gence Council, will try to Netanyahu-ize the be more politician than statesman. upcoming Memorandum to Holders. James Jones is, after all, Obama’s national The National Intelligence Council has security adviser, and is throwing off signals purview over such memoranda, as well as that can only encourage Netanyahu to be- over NIEs. Without Freeman, or anyone lieve that Jones’s boss would scurry to find similarly substantive and strong, it seems some way to avoid the domestic political likely that the intelligence community will opprobrium that would accrue, were he to not be able to resist the political pressures seem less than fully supportive of Israel. to conform. Nevertheless, the intelligence admirals, Backing Off the NIE? generals and other high officials seem to be Netanyahu has other reasons to take heart avoiding the temptation to play games, so with the political directions of Washington. far. According to , the The Director of the Defense Intelligence U.S. intelligence community is preparing Agency, Gen. Ronald Burgess, and the Vice what is called “a memorandum to holders Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. of Iran Estimate,” in other words an update James Cartwright, hewed to the intelligence to the full-scale National Intelligence Esti- analysts’ judgments in their testimony to mate (NIE) completed in November 2007, the Senate Armed Services Committee last which downplayed Iran’s nuclear capabili- month. ties and intentions. Indeed, their answer to the question as

62 TheReader | May 2010 Taking Sides Indeed, the to how soon Iran could have a deliverable to get much closer. But there’s not a trace Iranians have nuclear weapon, if fact, sounded familiar: of embarrassment among U.S. policymakers been about “Experience says it is going to take you or any notice of this slipping timetable by five years away three to five years” to move from having the FCM. from a nuclear enough highly enriched uranium to hav- Not that NIEs – or U.S. officials – matter weapon for ing a “deliverable weapon that is usable… much in terms of a potential military show- several decades something that can actually create a deto- down with Iran. The “decider” here is Ne- now, according nation, an explosion that would be consid- tanyahu, unless Obama stands up and tells to periodic ered a nuclear weapon,” Cartwright told the him, publicly, “If you attack Iran, you’re on intelligence panel. your own.” estimates. They What makes Cartwright’s assessment fa- But don’t hold your breath. CT just never seem to miliar – and relatively reassuring – is that get much closer five years ago, the director of DIA told Con- Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, the gress that Iran is not likely to have a nuclear publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of weapon until “early in the next decade” the Saviour in inner-city Washington. During – this decade. Now, we’re early in that de- his 27-year career as a CIA analyst, he cade and Iran’s nuclear timetable, assuming chaired National Intelligence Estimates and it does intend to build a bomb, has been prepared and briefed the President’s Daily pushed back to the middle of this decade at Brief. He serves on the Steering Committee of the earliest. Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity Indeed, the Iranians have been about (VIPS). five years away from a nuclear weapon for several decades now, according to periodic This essay originally apeared at intelligence estimates. They just never seem www.consortiumnews.org

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