A truly terrifying article, top story of the Washington Post right now. When I read The New Yorker article today by Hersh, I was concerned, but it seems that he is not the only one getting these leaks:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Why are these people leaking this?? This is pretty serious stuff to leak. I am fearful that some in our government see this as the only way to stop this insanity from occuring - some of the more disturbing quotes from the article below:
Israel is preparing, as well. The government recently leaked a contingency plan for attacking on its own if the United States does not, a plan involving airstrikes, commando teams, possibly missiles and even explosives-carrying dogs. Israel, which bombed Iraq's Osirak nuclear plant in 1981 to prevent it from being used to develop weapons, has built a replica of Natanz, according to Israeli media, but U.S. strategists do not believe Israel has the capacity to accomplish the mission without nuclear weapons.
While the article starts out stating that no attack is imminent, there are serious discussions of strategy, and Israeli officials have travelled here to make the case that we must attack Iran.
Israel points to those missiles to press their case in Washington. Israeli officials traveled here recently to convey more urgency about Iran. Although U.S. intelligence agencies estimate Iran is about a decade away from having a nuclear bomb, Israelis believe a critical breakthrough could occur within months. They told U.S. officials that Iran is beginning to test a more elaborate cascade of centrifuges, indicating that it is further along than previously believed.
Another disturbing aspect is that they already have two basic plans, with the nuclear option one of the only viable ways to destroy the tunnels, we are told:
As the administration weighs these issues, two main options are under consideration, according to one person with contacts among Air Force planners. The first would be a quick and limited strike against nuclear-related facilities accompanied by a threat to resume bombing if Iran responds with terrorist attacks in Iraq or elsewhere. The second calls for a more ambitious campaign of bombing and cruise missiles leveling targets well beyond nuclear facilities, such as Iranian intelligence headquarters, the Revolutionary Guard and some in the government.
Now the part where the nukes are considered:
Pentagon planners are studying how to penetrate eight-foot-deep targets and are contemplating tactical nuclear devices.
Honestly, this might be the only way we can penetrate the underground tunnels:
"The targeteers honestly keep coming back and saying it will require nuclear penetrator munitions to take out those tunnels," said Kenneth M. Pollack, a former CIA analyst. "Could we do it with conventional munitions? Possibly. But it's going to be very difficult to do."
Retired Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner, an expert in targeting and war games who teaches at the National Defense University, recently gamed an Iran attack and identified 24 potential nuclear-related facilities, some below 50 feet of reinforced concrete and soil.
Gardiner believes a military option would not work, but at the same time believes the Bush administration is headed that way:
Gardiner concluded that a military attack would not work, but said he believes the United States seems to be moving inexorably toward it. "The Bush administration is very close to being left with only the military option," he said.
Again, tinfoil hat time, but the only thing that gives me hope is the story right under this one:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
"A Concerted Effort to Discredit Bush Critic"
Prosecutor Describes Cheney, Libby as Key Voices Pitching Iraq-Niger Story
As he drew back the curtain this week on the evidence against Vice President Cheney's former top aide, Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald for the first time described a "concerted action" by "multiple people in the White House" -- using classified information -- to "discredit, punish or seek revenge against" a critic of President Bush's war in Iraq.
Maybe even the corporations fear this very bellicose president so they are allowing their newspapes to report the truth.