NIE: An Abrupt About-Face ("hyper partisan anti-Bush officials" at work?)

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2007/12/nie_an_abrupt_aboutface.asp ^

[HD1200]

As many recognize, the latest NIE on Iran’s nuclear weapons program directly contradicts what the U.S. Intelligence Community was saying just two years previously. And it appears that this about-face was very recent. How recent?

Consider that on July 11, 2007, roughly four or so months prior to the most recent NIE’s publication, Deputy Director of Analysis Thomas Fingar gave the following testimony before the House Armed Services Committee (emphasis added):

Iran and North Korea are the states of most concern to us. The United States’ concerns about Iran are shared by many nations, including many of Iran’s neighbors. Iran is continuing to pursue uranium enrichment and has shown more interest in protracting negotiations and working to delay and diminish the impact of UNSC sanctions than in reaching an acceptable diplomatic solution. We assess that Tehran is determined to develop nuclear weapons--despite its international obligations and international pressure. This is a grave concern to the other countries in the region whose security would be threatened should Iran acquire nuclear weapons.

This paragraph appeared under the subheading: "Iran Assessed As Determined to Develop Nuclear Weapons." And the entirety of Fingar’s 22-page testimony was labeled "Information as of July 11, 2007." No part of it is consistent with the latest NIE, in which our spooks tell us Iran suspended its covert nuclear weapons program in 2003 "primarily in response to international pressure" and they "do not know whether (Iran) currently intends to develop nuclear weapons."

The inconsistencies are more troubling when we realize that, according to the Wall Street Journal, Thomas Fingar is one of the three officials who were responsible for crafting the latest NIE. The Journal cites "an intelligence source" as describing Fingar and his two colleagues as "hyper-partisan anti-Bush officials."

[smoothsailing]

Ping me to that if it shows up. Again, thanks for keeping me in the loop. I always learn from your posts.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks FARS.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1935211/posts?page=37#37

[CyberAnt]

I agree with Rush .. these people are downright scary.

This is flat out TREASON .. and I can’t help but wonder how much longer Americans are going to put up with it.

[AliVeritas]

We need a monster link thread for this... for the pdf links on the UN, EU3, timelines and hearings, media reports (especially Britain)/MEMRI/Chartier and past weapons inspectors fired because Larijani thought they pressed to hard.

Where’s Gen. Sada and the others btw?

[AliVeritas]

I’m thinking they stopped because they were waiting for the equipment. They’ve cut seals since then... can’t wait for the explanation for that. Or the proof of ANYTHING they’ve put forward... how do they know, by what methods... eyes and hands on? When an NIE tells you it uses open sources... like us, we’re in a world of _____.

If that’s the case, we have way more info... and it’s not saying what they’re saying.

Let the investigation and trials begin. Had the leaked media and folks on the hill been smacked in the beginning, we wouldn’t have this problem (as well as getting rid of the fifth column when W moved in).

Funny, I would think the dems would be scared as hell.
They know Mahmood has said what he’s going to do... many times. Now all of a sudden the intel drops in their lap, they want a dem president... what will happen when Iran does launch? You’d think they’d learn from the Clinton WH and Al Q.

[AliVeritas]

Where’s the proof that they were running before 2003, the proof they stopped and the proof they haven’t done anything since?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Now we have this....

U.S. Says Military Notes Led to Shift on Iran
New York Times ^ | December 6, 2007 | DAVID E. SANGER and STEVEN LEE MYERS

I have my doubts...and the military in the headline is the Iranian Military....

[SaxxonWoods]

Your take sounds right to me. And yes, the Dem position is confusing. It sounds like they are assuming Israel will take care of the problem. They are prepared to cluck with disapproval when Israel acts, and secretly think, “Good, that’s taken care of, and we didn’t have to do anything.” It won’t work that way of course, we will have to be involved if Israel acts. Dems are blinded by their desire to win the upcoming election.

[blackie]

Great link FARS ~ I passed it around to my email friends.

Thanks!

Be Ever Vigilant!

[patriciaruth]

Ah, hit a nerve, did I?

Thanks for clarifying you belong on my “do not trust” list.

[billbears]

Oh no you didn’t hit a nerve whatsoever. Well other than perhaps a small bit of anger over the absolute blindness some are willing to follow Bush’s twisted logic. Even when the evidence points otherwise

[AliVeritas]

Psst.

http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2007/12/shipment-to-ira.html

[FARS]

Hope you all enjoy it.

[blackie]

Immensely!!

[AliVeritas]

Check this out... Scroll down past our lovely pageant queen (if that doesn’t make you say America F-— Yeah, nothing will), the next two posts are Mahmood’s announcing going needing 60,000 centrifuges up from 3,000 and another denying he stopped the program as was reported via NIE.

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/

[rmlew]

Have you read the public summary of the Estimate?
It is contradictory holding that no foreign interfefence pushed Iran in 2003, and gets stupider from there.

Some day the Iranian report leaked .. err brought by Gen Ashgari will be seen for what it is. Sadly this will only come after a conventional or nuclear war.