COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel, and the U.S.



US and Iran are Indirectly Coordinating Efforts against IS


The idea of Iran as partner of the US in the battle against IS will not have sufficient political support in Iran, among the allies, or domestically, says Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council -   October 13, 14



Bio

Trita Parsi was born in Iran and grew up in Sweden. He earned a Master's Degree in International Relations at Uppsala University, a second Master's Degree in Economics at Stockholm School of Economics and a PhD in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University SAIS. He has served as an adviser to Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH18) on Middle East issues and is a co-founder and current President of the National Iranian American Council (www.niacouncil.org). Dr. Parsi is the author of Treacherous Alliance - The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel and the United States (Yale University Press, 2007). He has followed Middle East politics for more than a decade, both through work in the field, and through extensive experience on Capitol Hill and the United Nations.

Transcript

US and Iran are Indirectly Coordinating Efforts against ISSHARMINI PERIES, EXEC. PRODUCER, TRNN: Welcome to The Real News Network. I'm Sharmini Peries, coming to you from Baltimore.
Many of the Middle East experts that we speak to at The Real News, such as Phyllis Bennis, Hamid Dabashi, Vijay Prashad, have all said that the war against Islamic State is going to be a dismal failure. The only thing that might work in the region is a regional political solution that takes into account all of the key players, including Iran.
Now joining us to talk about the role that Iran in the region is playing is Trita Parsi. Trita Parsi is the author of Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel, and the U.S., and he's the president of the National Iranian American Council.
Thank you so much for joining us, Trita.
TRITA PARSI, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL IRANIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL: Thank you for having me.
PERIES: Trita, the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, in his remarks at the UN last month, opened the door to the collaboration in the fight against IS. We also know that the Iranian foreign minister and the Saudi foreign ministers both met, and they declared on September 21 that this is the first page of a new chapter in their relations. Do you think that is so?
PARSI: I think it's too early to tell if there really is a new chapter. I think ithere is a desire in many different places to see a different relationship, a different dynamic between Saudi Arabia and Iran, because the conflict between the two, the rivalry between the two has fueled many of these other conflicts. So, for instance, the Saudis have been very active in promoting various jihadist groups in Syria, in Iraq, and elsewhere, mainly as a buffer against Iran. And because those areas have ended up becoming areas of competition between the two, we've seen how this proxy war between them has ravaged and destroyed many countries in the process.
Now, is this meeting between the two foreign ministers just a sign that they both realize that this is going a bit too far at this moment and that it's getting too dangerous and is actually becoming a threat to themselves? Or is it just a tactical reduction of hostilities for now, but does not have much more of a strategic dimension to it? It is too early to tell whether that is the case or not. But clearly it's going to be very difficult to resolve any of the conflicts in the region unless the Saudis and the Iranians manage to find a way to work together.
PERIES: And the current negotiations that are underway on the nuclear agreement with Iran, do you think that is helping or hindering the possible talks that might happen in the region?
PARSI: It should help, but I think in reality, in the case of Saudi Arabia, the fact that the negotiations have been going on, the fact that much of the real negotiations were taking place in secret in Oman and the Saudis were not aware of it, has just fueled their suspicion and their fear that if there is a successful nuclear agreement, the Iranians would be recognized by the United States as a major power in the region, and that their power ambitions would be legitimized and accepted by the United States. That has fueled what I would call Saudi panic for the last couple of months, in which there's been a lot of drastic measures, most of them completely counterproductive, that the Saudis have engaged in.
But I think ultimately the Saudis should not be fearing a nuclear deal. Ultimately that's going to make the region more secure, and the Saudis and the Iranians essentially have to come to terms that both of them are there to stay and they have to find a way to work with each other, rather than having this almost existential rivalry between the two.
PERIES: The Iranians are supporting the Iraqi militia to fight the IS in Iraq. Assuming that this is a given, what effect will this have in terms of the coalition's fight against the IS?
PARSI: Well, I think the coalition, many of the coalition members are joining this coalition in the hope that afterwards the United States will continue a military engagement in Syria in order to take out the Assad regime as well. The Iranians are outside of the coalition. They're probably doing more to fight ISIS on their own, but they're doing so outside of the coalition, not accepting that the coalition would enter Syrian territory without the approval of the Syrian government, whereas in Iraq, the U.S. is working in tandem with the Iraqi government.
But I think the Iranians have also tried to keep a bit of a low profile, let the Kurds be at the forefront of this, because they want to take away as much as possible the sectarian angle out of this conflict, if the Iranians were very visible in this fight, that this would give credence to the idea, the false notion, that this is a sectarian war being fought. The Iranians are trying to reduce that element. And keeping a lower profile, working more behind the scenes, is a helpful element in their calculation then.
PERIES: And do you think this will lead to some sort of discussion, negotiation, joint effort in terms of fighting the IS?
PARSI: The United States and Iran are already indirectly, at a minimum, coordinating efforts, because the U.S. is coordinating with the Iraqis and the Iranians are coordinated with the Iraqis. Both sides seem to prefer to keep this unofficial rather than to make it public for various reasons.
PERIES: Such as?
PARSI: Well, from the Iranian side, they don't want to be seen as becoming a partner with the United States at this point. They may share common interests, but the idea of Iran being seen as an an ally or a partner of the United States is not something that has sufficient political support in Iran.
From the U.S. side, there are numerous reasons, including the fact that if the Iranians were to be part of the coalition, there's a risk that some of the Sunni states would walk out. The Saudis have made that threat themselves. And beyond that, the Iranians were needed in order to get rid of the Maliki government. But now the U.S. calculation is that there is a need for a Sunni component to the coalition in order to be able to defeat ISIS in Syria. And there's also the domestic political consideration of not having the U.S. and Iran suddenly being on the same side very overtly in this conflict, because that could have domestic political ramifications for the president just weeks away from crucial midterm elections.
PERIES: Right. And what are the indicators that the Iranians will be able to live with a Syria that is not led by Assad?
PARSI: There's no clear indications yet that that is something that they're going to agree with. But I think the red line is not Assad is much as it is the Syrian state. They don't want to see the Syrian state completely collapse. They believe that that's the worst outcome, because then you're going to have yet another failed state in the region that will be very prime target for IS, al-Qaeda, and other jihadist movements. So there seems to be a theoretical openness to having a solution without Assad, as long as the Syrian state structure remains in place. That may not be sufficient for some of the other coalition members, who want to see a complete change of the regime, meaning it's not just enough for Assad to leave; the entire Alawite elite needs to believe--believing as well.
PERIES: Right. Trita, thank you so much for joining us today.
PARSI: Thank you for having me.
PERIES: And thank you for joining us on The Real News Network.

64 comments:

  1. It is now officially Tuesday here.

    Not one mention of Indigenous People's Day at my favorite blog.

    Shame on us all.
    ...............

    Experts Defy the CDC on Ebola October 14, 2014 "We believe there is scientific and epidemiologic evidence that Ebola virus has the potential to be transmitted via infectious aerosol particles..." More

    October 14, 2014
    Experts Defy the CDC on Ebola
    By Sally Zelikovsky

    Apparently, as far back as September 17, two experts on the transmission of infectious diseases published a commentary at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota that flies in the face of what the CDC has communicated to the public about the transmission of the Ebola virus.

    Although the focus of the commentary is on the proper type of personal protective equipment for health care workers, the authors – both professors at the University of Illinois at Chicago – had these observations to share:

    We believe there is scientific and epidemiologic evidence that Ebola virus has the potential to be transmitted via infectious aerosol particles both near and at a distance from infected patients, which means that healthcare workers should be wearing respirators, not facemasks....

    [V]irus-laden bodily fluids may be aerosolized and inhaled while a person is in proximity to an infectious person and that a wide range of particle sizes can be inhaled and deposited throughout the respiratory tract….

    For Ebola and other filoviruses, however, there is much less information and research on disease transmission and survival, especially in healthcare settings [as compared to MERS and SARS].

    Being at first skeptical that Ebola virus could be an aerosol-transmissible disease, we are now persuaded by a review of experimental and epidemiologic data that this might be an important feature of disease transmission, particularly in healthcare settings.

    How prescient their research in light of the nurse in Texas. If I were Drs. Frieden and Fauci, I’d be worried that these two gals might snatch my job away. Their research appears to be serious, pure in its motives, and non-political, whereas Frieden and Fauci seem to have an "Ebola Shmebola" attitude. It makes one wonder how much of a role politics is playing in their handling of the virus, or if it could just be that their blind faith in protocols that are clearly out of line with the latest research is misplaced and a failure.

    It’s time we had some competence at the helm of the Ebola scandal. Maybe then we could have some confidence in what public health officials are telling us about the communicability of Ebola. I vote for Lisa M. Brosseau, Sc.D. and Rachael Jones, Ph.D.

    Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2014/10/experts_defy_the_cdc_on_ebola.html#ixzz3G6Vhn1QH
    Follow us: @AmericanThinker on Twitter | AmericanThinker on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  2. When Columbus showed up, the entire continent was basically indigent.

    Nez Perce women for instance were digging for camus roots with wooden digging sticks.

    Now the Indigenous People's are all driving around in automobiles and pickup trucks and watching big screen TVs.

    And none are dying from starvation.

    We should go back to calling it Columbus Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When Columbus showed up, the Cherokee were practicing war, and slavery to the captives.

      Now many sit around and blog, drive ethanol powered cars and bitch about white racism.

      Delete
    2. This is hilarious - Grimes refuses to admit she voted for Obama.......hahahah

      Video: Alison Lundergan Grimes sticking with this whole my-vote-is-private shtick
      posted at 9:21 pm on October 13, 2014 by Mary Katharine Ham



      I don’t get this. No matter how in the dumps the president’s numbers are, you can say, “Yes, I voted for the man elected to represent my party by my fellow Democrats. I think he is a good man who’s faced extraordinary troubles brought on by [insert Bush insult here]. But, yes, I’ve had differences with the President. I was a Clinton primary voter as many of you were. This is the process, and I think we’ve all voted for someone with whom we don’t necessarily agree all the time. We Kentuckians are so independent of spirit, it’d be mighty hard to find that person, wouldn’t it? I know y’all hear me! I look forward to taking that independent spirit with me to the Senate because the most important votes I’ll ever cast, should you entrust me with that privilege, will be for the people of Kentucky.”

      Done and done. She’d take a tiny bit of heat for it, but it’s not like anyone doesn’t already know she voted for Obama.....

      http://hotair.com/archives/2014/10/13/video-alison-lundergan-grimes-sticking-with-this-whole-my-vote-is-private-shtick/


      bwabwabwahahahaha

      Delete
    3. Obama is really really Toxic these days.......

      Democrats are running from him as if he has Ebola......

      Delete
    4. IA (Rasmussen): Ernst (R) +3

      yippee

      Delete
  3. Way down south the Indigenous Peoples were cutting hearts out of living human sacrifices on pyramids........and practicing continual war....

    ReplyDelete
  4. ...since we are relying on expert testimony... It must be true!!!!!! Jooos are buying Muslim women! These Muslim women will be used to colonize Mars. Those who have read The Protocols of the Elders of Zion will know that Mars is the real target of Jooooish strategy.

    http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/ISIS-sold-Muslim-women-to-Jews-Kuwaiti-cleric-charges-378834
    The coalition to fight ISIS is a fraud and ISIS is selling Muslim women to Jews, according to Imam Saleh Jawhar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tell u, allen, is Saleh Hawhar as reliable a source as the Hamas spokesman that said that there were 'weapons' stored in schools and hospitals, even while there were no secondary explosions when the Israeli bombed them?

      Should we only find the Muslims to be a reliable source when they confirm your 'feelings' or storyline?
      Or should we 'know' they always are lying, like the Zionists?

      Delete
    2. There were over 5000 IDF strikes in Gaza. Jack were you there? Did you see every strike? Did you document the lack of secondary explosions?

      Interesting that your LACK of proof serves as evidence once again.

      jack, you hold a empty paper bag once again.

      Next you will be telling us there were no tunnels nor any Hamas rockets or mortars.

      A distorter of truth, a person that lies, a misdirector of topics.

      you are worm tongue

      Delete
    3. India is in on the colonize Mars thingy too, right hand in hand with Israel.

      India has a space probe around Mars as I type.

      It is obvious what is going on.

      Anyone can see it.

      Jews and Hindus are out to colonize Mars with Moslem women.

      And what does USA do?

      We use NASA as an outreach feel good society to the Moslems here on earth.......

      Sheeze, we are not even serious as a society any longer.

      No long term planning at all.....

      Delete
  5. Gaza After Action: No Rockets In Schools

    After action reports, those military and intelligence analysts put together after any conflict, have revealed two vital facts:

    Hamas is able to build, secure and launch missiles with impunity, indicating advanced knowledge of Israeli air and combined arms operations and a strong counter-intelligence capability.

    Israel has, on the other hand, in the face of abject failure to address Hamas’ advances, resorted to terror bombing of civilian targets, a sign of both impotence and rage.


    Unlike previous conflicts between Hamas and Israel, there is no evidence Israel was able to locate Hamas’ sites early in the conflict and indications, as the conflict progressed, that Israel no longer even tried.

    During earlier conflicts, whenever a rocket site, be it assembly, storage or launch was hit, the secondary explosions resembled “the 4th of July.” The first sign that Netanyahu had lost “his war” is the lack of secondary explosions. There was no “precision,” no plan, not according to any rules of war. Netanyahu ordered a terror campaign and it was Netanyahu that held the people of Gaza hostage, not Hamas.


    First appeared: http://journal-neo.org/2014/10/06/gaza-after-action-no-rockets-in-schools/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/01/war-in-gaza-the-controversial-un-agency-that-found-rockets-in-its-schools/

      Several days ago, a sandy-haired United Nations spokesman named Christopher Gunness had a moment when, as he explains it, “words cracked under the burden of meaning.”
      “The rights of Palestinians — even their children — are wholesale denied,” he told the news station. “And it’s appalling.”

      UNRWA discovered rocket caches of unknown provenance in three of its schools.

      Then gave the rockets back to Hamas.

      This is just one example...

      Delete
    2. http://www.military.com/video/operations-and-strategy/air-strikes/huge-secondary-explosions-after-strike/3676717631001/

      Huge Secondary Explosions After Strike

      Delete
    3. Jack, time for you to admit you were wrong again.

      We are waiting.

      Delete
    4. desert rat is just an illiterate bullshitter.

      One day he is quoting Teddy Roosevelt, the next Art Schopenhauer.

      He is a cartoon.

      Bwabwabwabwahahahahaha.......

      desert rat, cartoon character

      Delete
  6. Government buildings in Chilpancingo are burning

    Hundreds of thousands killed in Drug Wars!
    Only US troops can stop the carnage, in Mexico

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The US must intervene ...

      For the Children!

      Delete
    2. The US didn't stop you from not being a good father.

      Or maybe your abandoning your kids was the greatest act of charity you could do...

      Leaving them to be raised without the toxic person you are...

      Delete
  7. this is the title of the thread

    Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Iran, Israel, and the U.S.

    And yet?

    Israel is not mentioned ONCE.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The article was not about the Treacherous Alliance of Israel-Saudi Arabia-US and Turkey.

      But it would not be hard to write.
      Caroline Glick is half way there, already
      Understanding the Israeli-Egyptian-Saudi alliance


      Delete
    2. My comment was not directed to you, you after all are not the blog owner. You are the blog maggot.

      Delete
  8. allen brought the subject of Israel up, first


    Thousands of slaves in Israel, ...
    Global Slavery Index finds Jewish state doing relatively well, but problem persists


    Read more: Thousands of slaves in Israel, global study finds | The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-of-slaves-in-israel-global-study-finds/#ixzz3G769BdKA

    ReplyDelete
  9. That Robert "Bob" Peterson, advocating for "Slave States" to become a part of NATO.

    Just shows where his 'head' is at.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And Robert "Bob" Peterson claims to be a big fan of Abe Lincoln ....

      Delete
    2. "Incredible India" Home to Modern Slavery

      Millions of people, including children, toil in bonded labor in India

      Delete
    3. How many kids have YOU smuggled into the USA for cash? How many do you keep locked up on your 350 acres?

      Do you allow your slaves to come out into the open air? Or do you just keep them chained in the basement or barn?

      Delete
  10. O dear me, Jack Shit is back.

    Jack you need to go riding more, or whatever it was that you were doing.

    It was so wonderful around here with you gone.

    It was like a wonderful vacation.

    Since you had so much fun too, why not go again, like, right now?

    Then we'd all be happy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your 'happiness' is of no concern to me, Draft Dodger.

      Delete
    2. Jack served his weekend in the Sheriff's prison, ate baloney sandwiches and wore pink for the weekend.

      Delete
    3. :):):):):):)

      And here Ihad thought perhaps he had spent Indigenous People's Day giving the deed to his stolen 360 acres of prime rich river bottom land back to the American Indians.

      Delete
    4. Heck no, Jack was in Sheriff Joe's weekend prison stint for petty criminals...

      Once a criminal? Always a criminal.

      MY sources at the AZ FBI told me he's on parole, but they are still collecting intel on his drug and gun running to mexico.

      New evidence he's making his money working with the human smuggling across the border.

      Delete
    5. He best buy a good bio hazard suit.

      These days, what with Ebola, human smuggling can be really dangerous.

      None of us wants Jack to bleed to death from his eye sockets.

      Delete
  11. We all knew it would happen........the moment Jack Shit comes riding back, hatred itself in the saddle, this place goes to hell in a hand basket....

    It was truly lovely while it lasted though.......

    Quirk, please Sir, you must get that new rat free blog up and running ASAP.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Think of it Quirk - "Savior of the Blogosphere"

      That can be you, Quirk !

      Delete
  12. Any clickable link would be appreciated.

    But, as is the norm, none of the Zionists an perform that simple task.
    They have no references, no facts ...

    No clue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But, as is the norm, none of the Zionists can perform that simple task.

      Delete
    2. What you are incapable of using google?

      LOL

      Now you are just silly...

      Delete
    3. We have responded to your wiggle wiggle wiggle and provided bold and italics and links.

      But remember Jackass, when I gave you LINKS to both my blogs as per your request and proved by posting "FUCK YOU RAT" on both?

      You refused to accept the very proof you demanded.

      so with all due respect, and there is none, go fuck yourself Jack/rat.

      Delete
    4. 5 am in AZ and the Jack's life is full of blogging about nothing...

      LOL

      Loser

      Delete

  13. How can a reader know when "O"rdure is lying ...
    When the reader is reading "O"rdure's posts.

    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Senor Jack Mierda speaks.

      (rough translation: Mr Rat Shit)

      Delete
    2. Bob, let's give him some slack, being in prison all weekend must have wound him up, no pot, no decent food..

      Now he's home, stoned and full of shit...

      Delete
    3. Stoned and full of shit.....and hatred.

      What a disgusting human being he truly is.......

      Q U I R K !

      Please !

      Delete
    4. a lonely bitter husk of a man, a life of nothing coming to an end with no friends or offspring..

      Delete
  14. Now, "O"rdure DID tell us that the Times of Israel was a reliable source.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thousands of slaves in Israel, ...
      Global Slavery Index finds Jewish state doing relatively well, but problem persists

      Read more: Thousands of slaves in Israel, global study finds | The Times of Israel http://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-of-slaves-in-israel-global-study-finds/#ixzz3G769BdKA

      Delete
    2. Senor Jack Mierda speaks.

      (rough translation: Mr Rat Shit)

      Delete
    3. And we all know that "o"rdure, well, he cannot be trusted.

      What is "Occupation"Fri Oct 03, 10:16:00 AM EDT
      I have been turned down repeatedly for a REFI.
      The system is screwed.

      He does not understand "Personal Responsibility"

      Delete
    4. Jack HawkinsTue Oct 14, 07:11:00 AM EDT
      Now, "O"rdure DID tell us that the Times of Israel was a reliable source.

      Jack HawkinsTue Oct 14, 07:08:00 AM EDT
      Any clickable link would be appreciated.

      But, as is the norm, none of the Zionists an perform that simple task.
      They have no references, no facts ...

      No clue.





      hmmm one standard for Zionists but your rules don't apply to you?

      Hypocrite.

      Delete
    5. 3 minutes after scolding us for no clickable links, he posts nonsense without clickable links.

      LOL

      Delete
    6. BobSun Jun 22, 01:42:00 PM EDT

      When did I ever say I was a scholar??

      I don't recall saying that.

      I have a college degree in English Lit. from U of Washington.

      To avoid being drafted in part. ...

      Delete
    7. Jack HawkinsTue Oct 14, 07:14:00 AM EDT
      And we all know that "o"rdure, well, he cannot be trusted.

      What is "Occupation"Fri Oct 03, 10:16:00 AM EDT
      I have been turned down repeatedly for a REFI.
      The system is screwed.

      He does not understand "Personal Responsibility"




      Jack HawkinsTue Oct 14, 07:08:00 AM EDT
      Any clickable link would be appreciated.



      LOL

      always posting out of context, snippets of sentences as he is to cowardly to post the complete words of anyone.

      Delete
    8. Now, if either of the Zionists ahve a quote that would substantiate their claims.
      The phone number and name of that FBI contact ...

      They can fee free to post 'em.
      But they won't, because they can't.

      Their fiction is baseless, nameless and feckless

      Delete
    9. there was one day here that we had conversation.

      that is over again...

      Delete
    10. Jack HawkinsTue Oct 14, 07:18:00 AM EDT
      Now, if either of the Zionists ahve a quote that would substantiate their claims.
      The phone number and name of that FBI contact ...

      They can fee free to post 'em.
      But they won't, because they can't.

      Their fiction is baseless, nameless and feckless



      But YOU admitted you spoke with the agent at the AZ FBI and SAW the report I filed against you. Infact you bragged that you saw the ongoing National Security Investigation on me...

      You were the one that bragged you didn't care if you outed your confidential source at the AZ FBI, even if they got fired for releasing on going information on an ongoing investigation. Me? I don't out AZ FBI names on the blog, that's what you do.


      Delete
  15. A snippet is all it takes, to destroy your credibility, "O"rdure.

    You wrote it ...
    Read it and weep

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As snippet means?

      You don't tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

      You lie, you lie via omission, you distort and misdirect.

      You are worm tongue.

      Delete
    2. Jack/rat has ZERO credibility.

      All of us know it.

      The public KNOWS it.

      You are untrustworthy. A man who steal valor of those that actually served with honor.

      Delete
    3. Senor Jack Mierda speaks.

      (rough translation: Mr Rat Shit)
      ...............

      O good, just heard our paper guy drive up and deliver the morning paper.

      Time for a break.....

      Later

      Delete
    4. No, I quote you, and your cohort.
      You don't like it.

      I find it funny, but you cannot reply, in kind.
      You have poor writing skills, that is not my fault.

      You have no debating skills, that is not my fault.

      You Zionists tend to have an inferiority complex, and that is not my fault.
      You Zionists have an aversion to the truth, evidenced above in your writing, it is comical

      You are a joke, "O"rdure.

      Delete