AP Analysis: Bush's Iran Stance Echoes Iraq

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Analysis: Bush's Iran Stance Echoes Iraq
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 4, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush's tough new stance on Iran and his military buildup in the Persian Gulf recall some of the drumbeats that preceded the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

As then, the Bush administration is making allegations about Iran without providing proof....

***

Bush insists he has no plans to invade Iran, only to protect U.S. troops in Iraq.

But in recent days:

--Bush raised the U.S. naval presence in the Persian Gulf to its highest level since 2003 by ordering a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region.

--The administration confirmed that Bush has authorized the military to kill or capture Iranian agents who are plotting attacks on U.S. forces.

--The administration has armed Iran's Arab neighbors with Patriot missiles. The Pentagon halted sales of spare parts from the its recently retired F-14 fighter jet fleet because of concerns they could be transferred to Iran.

Administration critics suggest the White House is exaggerating Tehran's ties to attacks inside Iraq to justify a possible future military assault -- just as it manipulated prewar intelligence to build its case for its 2003 invasion of Iraq, they claim....

(Tom Raum has covered national and international affairs for The Associated Press since 1973.)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bushs-Iran-Gamble.html

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

1. Phone the president and tell him to start talking to Iran.

[marmar]

2. Yup. Same warmed-over bullshit.....

The White House is inhabited by a complete psycho with daddy and mommy issues. Lord help us!

[shadowknows69]

3. Ah, the press

slowly but surely pointing out to the masses shit people with even a vague interest in their country knew months ago. Thanks for finally catching up guys.

[MazeRat7]

4. He's a one trick pony - I wouldn't expect anything else. -nt