Uh-oh . DOD claims Iranian influence on Iraqi extremists

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

Here comes the build up to the war on Iran. Why I am so suspicious of military intelligence ?


General Reports Spike in Iranian Activity in Iraq

By Thomas E. Ricks
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 23, 2006; Page A19

Iranian support for extremists inside Iraq has shown a "noticeable increase" this year, with Tehran's special forces providing weapons and bomb training to anti-U.S. groups, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said yesterday.
Other U.S. officials have complained about Iranian meddling in Iraq, but the criticism of Tehran by Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. was the most direct and explicit so far. Speaking at a Pentagon news conference before an array of reporters and television cameras, the general listed Iranian influence as one of the four major problems he faces in Iraq.
"We are quite confident that the Iranians, through their covert special operations forces, are providing weapons, IED technology and training to Shia extremist groups in Iraq, the training being conducted in Iran and in some cases probably in Lebanon through their surrogates," Casey said, using the military abbreviation for "improvised explosive devices," or roadside bombs. The Iranians are "using surrogates to conduct terrorist operations in Iraq, both against us and against the Iraqi people."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/22/AR2006062201369.html

[atreides1]

1. This is the best he can do

"We are quite confident that the Iranians...blah, blah, blah.

No evidence just his confindence, yeah that's what intelligence should be based on!!!

[William Seger]

2. It's probably true, but...

1) It's just one of the many reasons, well known in advance, why invading and occupying Iraq was a huge mistake, and 2) it just demonstrates how Bush*Co no longer has the credibility and support necessary to deal effectively with Iran.