US Naval War College Review – US Naval Options For Influencing Iran

This article is intended to explore the range of options the U.S.Navy can provide to policymakers in developing a strategic approach to Iran.

New York Times – The Green Revolution(s)

Thomas Friedman describes how to undermine the the Iranian regime, using the same strategy that undermined the Soviet Union…

Washington Post – Iran’s Struggle, and Ours

Robert D. Kaplan’s analysis of the current situation in Iran.

New York Times Magazine – Stuart Levey’s War

How an unassuming Treasury under secretary is implementing innovative sanctions on Iran that could finally give Washington what it hasn’t had in Tehran in three decades: influence.

New Yorker – Late last year, Congress agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sourcesÖ
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New York Times – Admiral Fallon’s first interview since his early retirement.
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Washington Post – Thomas Ricks weighs in on Admiral Fallon’s resignation???
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New York Times – Admiral William J. Fallon, the top American commander in the Middle East whose views on Iran and other issues have seemed to put him at odds with the Bush administration, is retiring early.
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Esquire – Thomas P.M. Barnett’s latest on Admiral Fox Fallon:

As head of U. S. Central Command, Admiral William “Fox” Fallon is in charge of American military strategy for the most troubled parts of the world. Now, as the White House has been escalating the war of words with Iran, and seeming ever more determined to strike militarily before the end of this presidency, the admiral has urged restraint and diplomacy. Who will prevail, the president or the admiral?

And the Admiral’s reply to the article: Commander Rejects Article of Praise.
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PBS Frontline – As Iraq descends into chaos and civil war; its neighbor — Iran — is on the rise as one of America’s greatest threats and most puzzling foreign policy challenges.

Read the transcript.
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Esquire – Two former high-ranking policy experts from the Bush administration say the U.S. has been gearing up for a war with Iran for years, despite claiming otherwise. It’ll be Iraq all over again.
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New Yorker – Seymour Hersch on the Bush Administrationís plan for Iran.
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New Yorker – In the past few months, as the situation in Iraq has deteriorated, the Bush Administration, in both its public diplomacy and its covert operations, ha significantly shifted its Middle East strategy. The ìredirection,î as some inside the White House have called the new strategy, has brought the Unite States closer to an open confrontation with Iran and, in parts of the region, propelled it into a widening sectarian conflict between Shiite and Sunn Muslims.

Is the Administrationís new policy on Iran benefitting our enemies in the war on terrorism?
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BBC – US contingency plans for air strikes on Iran extend beyond nuclear sites and include most of the country’s military infrastructure.
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The Times – Israel air force squadrons are training to blow up Iran’s uranium-enrichment facility using low-yield nuclear ìbunker-bustersî, according to several Israeli military sources???Israel will not tolerate Iran going nuclear and military sources say it will use tactical strikes unless Iran abandons its programme. Is Israel bluffing or might it really push the button?
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New Yorker – Seymour Hersch asks if a damaged Administration less likely to attack Iran, or more?
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Daily Telegraph – General John Abizaid, the chief of the US Central Command, gives a sobering assessment of Iran’s military potential.
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Time – An excellent overview of a possible war plan for Iran. A flurry of military maneuvers in the Middle East increases speculation that conflict with Iran is no longer quite so unthinkable. Here’s how the U.S. would fight such a war–and the huge price it would have to pay to win it. (You will have to watch a short ad to view the article for free???)
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New Yorker – Did the US view Israel’s aerial campaign against Hezbollah as a dry run for it’s contemplated aerial campaign against Iran?
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New Yorker – Seymour Hersch on the militaryís dissent on Iran policy.
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