Bush administration planning to increase pressure on Iran -Knight Ridder

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - As 150,000 U.S. troops battle to stabilize Iraq, some officials in the Bush administration are already planning to turn up the heat on another member of the president's axis of evil.
........
The new, more aggressive tack is said to have the backing of secretary of state-designate Condoleezza Rice, Bush's national security adviser.

Among the steps under consideration, the officials said, are stronger public condemnations of Iran's human rights practices and treatment of women; increased U.S. broadcasting into the country; and financial backing for pro-Western groups.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren't authorized spokesmen and, in some cases, because final decisions haven't been made.

Rice previewed some of the ideas during a White House meeting last week with leaders of major Jewish-American groups, according to one individual who was present and others who were briefed on the session.
.........
A limited U.S. air strike on Iran's far-flung nuclear facilities would cause worldwide outrage, could endanger U.S. troops in Iraq and would have no assurance of success. European allies favor diplomacy to curb Iran's nuclear program.

However, top Bush administration officials are now hinting that the White House is eager to start withdrawing troops from Iraq by the middle of next year. One rationale, a senior administration official said, is to give the president greater flexibility in dealing with Iran.

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/10361796.htm

[livinbella]

1. they were headed for Democracy, slow but sure,

before bush started fucking with them

[Wright Patman]

6. They are already as much of a "democracy"

as is the United States. In fact, we are trending away from it.

The terms "democracy" or "reform" as used by any American politician in lecturing other countries is meaningless. It is code for "open your country's markets to privatization and exploitation."

[54anickel]

2. Uh-oh, here we go! Or is this just a distraction from that whole recount

business going on tomorrow. :shrug:

So much spin and lies, just can't keep it all straight anymore.

[xultar]

3. Dude, YOU STOLE MY POST! That is EXACTLY what I was gonna say

then I was gonna add...

It isn't like they didn't say Uncle already. Just when things start getting hot.

Blammo another WAR.

[Jazzgirl]

5. You bet they want to distract from the recount!

I am so sick of this I could :puke: Too much spin and lies....

JG

[MidwestTransplant]

4. I guess since things are going so well in Iraq, we need a new adventure

[Toby109]

7. I'm thinking September 2005.

You don't roll out a new product in August. So we've got a new trade deal between Iran, China and Russia. Putin warning the U.S. over intervention in the Ukraine and Chechnya. And a shitload more.

Something major is coming. And it ain't gonna be pretty.

[maddezmom]

8. Condi and Putin sitting in a tree...which one will start WWIII?

God help us all. :eyes:

[bemildred]

9. Iran plans to step up ignoring of whining noises from White House. nt

[Javaman]

10. One more reason rice is morons hand puppet...

"The new, more aggressive tack is said to have the backing of secretary of state-designate Condoleezza Rice, Bush's national security adviser. "

I can almost see moron just pulling the strings for her to talk.

Will she ever have an independent thought?