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But the fact that the Sunni Arab leaders have not made their attacks on Iran public suggests that maybe right now it isn't as importanat an issue to the general Arab public, compared to other issues, as they suggest? Jeffrey Goldberg is not an "objective" journalist, and has goals of his own, which probably includes encouraging the Sunni-Shiite and Arab-Persian split.
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Tue Nov 30th, 2010 at 03:00:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I don't disagree.

As you first wrote, "the documents prove nothing about Iran". Again, I agree the leaks weren't about Iran. They are about beating the drums of war with Iran.

Dodo suggested the drumbeats would not sound so loud if context was provided. But, I think when the American establishment is busy selling a war with Iran to the American public, then context is either non-existent or deeply discounted, and objectivity is not important. And since when has facts been part of Americans' decision to go to war? Certainly they played little or no part with the decision to invade Iraq or even Afghanistan. This is about ginning up emotion and lining up excuses.

That these nations haven't said anything against Iran publicly fits within the narrative. If the facts supported a war with Iran, then the war would sell itself.

For the most part, I think the American news coverage of the leaked U.S. diplomatic posts regarding Iran can be generally characterized as 'see everyone thinks Iran is a problem and have been secretly okay with the U.S. or Israel attacking them'. The implied suggestion is then those in the ruling class who may have been questioning the wisdom or legality of such a war, should cease their objections and the general public should support the start of such a war.

by Magnifico on Tue Nov 30th, 2010 at 04:05:38 PM EST
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They are about beating the drums of war with Iran.

This is some serious pattern fitting. There is nothing in there that is going to sell a war with Iran to the American public. If it were a false flag operation, it's a hilariously poor PR / propaganda campaign. I mean, given the level of nationalism and exceptionalism in this country, the fact that other countries want the US to go to war with Iran is very much a strike against said war, not a selling point.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Tue Nov 30th, 2010 at 05:23:54 PM EST
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It's not as though the Saudis don't have an interest: a US/Israeli attack on Iran would be worth gazillions to them.

"The future is already here -- it's just not very evenly distributed" William Gibson
by ChrisCook (cojockathotmaildotcom) on Tue Nov 30th, 2010 at 07:55:09 PM EST
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If they are really concerned, that will manifest as a big drop in oil prices associated with the onset of such an attack.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Mon Dec 6th, 2010 at 11:19:29 PM EST
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Only if they are physically capable of increasing production.

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.

by JakeS (JangoSierra 'at' gmail 'dot' com) on Tue Dec 7th, 2010 at 01:05:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is capable of selling oil at below market price to select customers for political reasons, or of just giving oil to the US military, as during GHW Bush's Operation Desert Storm, if it sees vital royal interests being at stake.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Tue Dec 7th, 2010 at 01:17:59 PM EST
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Yeah, but that won't create a big drop in oil prices for anybody outside the military.

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.

by JakeS (JangoSierra 'at' gmail 'dot' com) on Tue Dec 7th, 2010 at 10:51:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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