The weird Iranian plot

On one hand, the Iranian plot seems implausible. On the other hand, the theory that the Obama administration has made the plot up is even more implausible. As Barry Rubin points out, Obama has consistently sought to avoid confrontation with Iran, so why would he suddenly seek to manufacture a confrontation, and do it by means of such a bizarre and unlikely charge? Meanwhile, Obama declares that that U.S. officials “know that [the suspect] had direct links, was paid by, and directed by individuals in the Iranian government.”

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Stewart W. writes:

When Drudge first broke the story, the headline was

“TIMING? U.S. busts two Iranians today over plot Obama was briefed about in June.”

This story appeared the day before Attorney General Holder was subpoenaed to appear before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Although I suspect the plot is real, I’m certain that the timing of the release of the story was a very deliberate attempt to knock Holder’s Watergate-level troubles off the front pages. It seems that Congressman Issa has enough information about Holder’s knowledge of the ATF gunrunning scheme, and of his perjury before Congress, to remove Holder from office, or at least cripple his effectiveness as AG. The Iranian story is one of the few that could be big enough to displace such a scandal.

Dimitri K. writes:

I believe this particular plot, possibly somehow exaggerated, was presented right now for public opinion because Holder is now having serious problems with Congress. He wanted to show that he was working hard on our security, and also switch public opinion. Obama had no choice but to support his protégé, at least with some tough words.

LA writes:

DebkaFile has a theory of what Iran was up to. It is very speculative and very complicated.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at October 14, 2011 08:36 AM | Send