Home
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
US report: The Pentagon has retracted a "strict" response to the Taji attack in Baghdad
03/22/2020 01:35:50
Shafaq News / At a time when US President Donald Trump was preparing to declare the Corona Virus a "national emergency", an intense debate erupted inside the White House last Thursday between the President and his senior advisers on a completely different topic, which is whether the United States should escalate military action Against Iran, which was destroyed by the epidemic, according to a report published by the New York Times.
One group, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Robert C. O'Brien, the National Security Adviser, urged a firm response to the missile attacks that killed two US soldiers at a base north of Baghdad, arguing that cracking down while Iran's leaders were busy fighting the coronavirus, which It is ravaging the country and may finally push them to direct negotiations.
But Defense Secretary Mark Esber and General Mark Millie, the chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retreated, saying that the Pentagon and intelligence agencies had no clear evidence that attacks by Shiite militias had been ordered by Iran and warned that a broad response could drag the United States into a wider war with Iran. , And tear the already strained relations with Iraq.
The military position prevailed at the meeting, at least for the time being. President Trump authorized air strikes on 5 militia arms depots inside Iraq, which were carried out at night to reduce potential human losses.
On Sunday, the British government asked 1.5 million people who live in the country and who are considered the most vulnerable to the emerging coronavirus, to ...
Corona .. London warns its citizens and Paris: We will close our borders with Britain Corona .. London warns its citizens and Paris: We will close our borders with Britain Corona virus
And the "New York Times" adds: This meeting is a glimpse of the crosswinds that blow the Trump administration's policy towards Iran and its proxies in Iraq less than three months after President Trump made an order to kill the Qods Force commander, Qassem Soleimani, who was planning operations across the Middle East.
US officials say there is little appetite between the president and some of his top advisers for a dangerous escalation with Iran, as leaders in Tehran are now busy trying to stem the Corona virus that has devastated the country. Iran has experienced one of the worst outbreaks of the disease in the world, and sectors of the country's leadership have been hit.
At least one of the country's top aides has died, and field hospitals have spread to parking lots, stadiums, and wedding halls to deal with a flood of patients.
President Trump is trying to manage his own response to the worsening Taji virus crisis, even as his administration continues to launch a "maximum pressure" campaign, economic war, and diplomatic pressure against Iran.
In the days after the U.S. air strikes on March 12, Hezbollah forces responded with missile attacks on US bases - including last Saturday's attack that wounded 3 Americans in Taji camp.
This escalation has left the United States with various undesirable options, according to US and Iraqi officials, and choosing not to respond may only lead to more attacks. A moderate response - such as hitting militia armories and headquarters - is likely to lead to more criticism of the Iraqi government. And the more aggressive American response that accidentally kills civilians, or Iraqi forces, risks undermining support for the Iraqi army.
US intelligence officials say they have no direct evidence that Iran ordered the March 11 missile attack that killed two members of the US forces and a British soldier. However, Tehran exercises indirect control and does not conduct any operations without the tacit support of Iraq even if the Revolutionary Guards do not choose the timing or force specified for the attacks by the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades, according to an intelligence official.
While Soleimani’s successor continued to visit Iraq and work with Shiite militias there, Tehran’s control of the groups has diminished, according to US military and intelligence officials.
The newspaper points to a division within the US administration to respond militarily to Iran, and this division was presented during several high-level meetings on March 12, hours before President Trump's mandate to launch strikes.
Prior to Trump's meeting with his senior advisers, a lower-level meeting turned into a split when Brian Hook, the senior foreign ministry adviser for Iran, confronted Pentagon officials who had not seen him about military options before they were presented to Trump, according to senior administration officials at Be aware of the meeting.
Later that day, the discussion took place in front of the President, Foreign Minister Pompeo and others on the pretext that limited air strikes were more likely to perpetuate the cycle of violence than to break it. With the support of the new Director of the National Intelligence Agency, Richard Grenelle, the Foreign Secretary said that a more direct strike on Iran - such as hitting its navy ships - could surprise Tehran and push its leaders to the negotiating table.
The report notes that one of the main goals of the "maximum pressure" campaign by the Trump administration to impose economic sanctions is to paralyze the Iranian economy to the point that the government will agree to negotiate a new agreement on its nuclear program. This did not happen, and many US intelligence officials and regional experts do not believe that Iran is about to make such a move, especially with an election year in America.
Iran is in a weak position
But there is widespread agreement among senior US officials that Iran, with its leadership destroyed by the coronavirus, is in a weak position. And US intelligence agencies have confirmed public reports that the epidemic has led to a dangerous division at higher levels in Iran. Iranian leaders have been affected by the coronavirus more than almost any other country, and have been concealing the virus from their colleagues, according to intelligence reports - adding to mistrust and divisions in the government.
The American "New York Times" revealed the story of the number one patient who caused the spark of the outbreak in Italy, ...
Between disregard and indolence ... this is how Italy turned into the new focus of Corona.
Trump administration officials who call for military action against Iran have used those reports to take American military action against Iran. Foreign Minister Pompeo, Mr. Grignell, and others have argued that the measures taken so far have not deterred Iranian provocations. But President Trump's willingness to take drastic measures, such as striking General Soleimani, and the unpredictability of the president’s decisions, gives the United States an opportunity to impose a change in Tehran’s behavior.
As administration officials consider their next step, they are pressuring the Iraqi army to crack down on Shiite militias as the Pentagon mobilizes Patriot air defense batteries and other systems to protect Iraqi bases, where US and other allied forces are stationed.
Meanwhile, US administration officials are reviewing a host of additional targets, including air strikes on more militia weapons depots and logistical stores, as well as strikes against militia leaders and possibly Iranian ships, and officials said covert operations and cyberattacks are also being considered.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
» A leader in the National Bank: We are committed to the federal decision and to postpone the election
» Al-Hakim: Iraq's future cannot be mortgaged to volatile oil prices
» The conflict of the corridors: the path to development from a historical perspective and the door to
» The Kurdistan Region demands that the federal government spend 1.1 billion dinars.. What is the reas
» Tomorrow, Iraq is preparing to launch a complementary round of gas licensing
» A government move to restore the funds of the Trade Bank of Iraq
» The Central Bank informs France of plans to restructure the banking sector
» A government advisor reveals the fate of the budget tables
» Iranian mediation between Baghdad and Erbil... Revealing the most prominent files of Raisi’s visit t
» Reconstruction and development is a priority.. A parliamentary committee follows up and monitors gov
» Al-Hakim comments on the agreements concluded with Türkiye and confirms: Iraq is on the right path
» Tomorrow... Iraq takes a step that will give it gas equivalent to 200% of imported Iranian gas
» A long and disturbing message.. The Iraqi government “blames” the United Nations because of “other p
» The Governor of the Central Bank and the French Ambassador discuss developments in the banking secto
» Al-Bajari: Iraqi companies will have a great opportunity to work after opening the door to investmen
» Transparency: Imports from Sulaymaniyah and Halabja during the past week amounted to more than 10 bi
» Al-Sudani: The delayed projects left great damage to the level of services in Babylon
» Economist: The fluctuation of the dollar is “the balance of speculators”
» {Al-Furat News} publishes the text of Al-Sudani’s request to Guterres to end UNAMI’s work in Iraq
» A former MP accuses Türkiye of transferring its conflict with the workers to Iraq
» A call to the Sudanese to remove American forces from Iraq
» Oil Parliament: Ankara holds Erbil responsible for the oil fines it owes
» The government is silent...the reality of removing American forces from Iraq
» The radiation protection law in the first session of the next legislative term
» A Spanish company raises controversy and a representative reveals a parliamentary movement against i
» Sudanese officially requests the end of the United Nations mission in Iraq / documents
» Because its sessions were not held, the Kirkuk Council faces a judicial complaint, and its members d
» Former US Chief of Staff: We slaughtered huge numbers of innocent people in Iraq and other countries
» The Association of Private Banks counts the percentage of shares traded on the stock market during a
» The European Union and Iraq agree to increase cooperation between them
» American Bank: Expectations to increase Iraq’s oil capacity in 2025
» Central Bank Governor to the French Ambassador: The plan to restructure government banks will change
» Integrity confirms working to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Kuwaiti Anti-Corruptio
» Highlights of the Prime Minister's visit to Babylon
» The Minister of Transport discusses with a Turkish delegation the latest developments in the develop
» Free of charge.. Issuing approximately 13 thousand unified cards for those covered by social protect
» A parliamentary committee advises the government to deter trespassers: Slums are one of the reasons
» Embassy Protection confirms to “Baghdad Today”: The missions are safe and we have taken proactive me
» Water resources resolve the controversy of the “Wadi Al-Tea” project.. It will nourish the Hamrin ic
» After approving the National Security Strategy...a parliamentary movement to host “responsible” figu
» Al-Hakim calls for the distribution of plots of land to the families of the martyrs of the Popular M
» Order 160 Committee completes the “port scandals” papers... and searches for a legal outlet for impl
» It revealed the details of its contract with four companies to complete the census requirements... P
» Egypt, Morocco and Qatar praise the Iraqi Integrity proposal to establish the Arab Law Enforcement C
» The Iraqi Parliament enters its legislative recess and requires holding an “extraordinary” session o
» The Sudanese has not rested since the morning.. He carried out 12 activities and allocated a trillio
» Blinken's agent: Erbil is a strategic ally of Washington in a 360-degree relationship
» Oil seeks to convert refinery products to “Euro 5”... high quality and environmentally friendly
» A leader in the framework: There is no need for early elections...the “legislative” elections will t
» Parliament decides to extend its legislative term by 30 days
» Iraq has the tenth worst economic growth in the world during the last 5 years
» Al-Hakim: The future cannot be mortgaged to volatile oil prices
» It will change the reality of Iraqi banks.. Al-Alaq reveals a plan that enjoys Sudanese support
» MM&C 5/9/24 The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and the European Union discuss cooperation to fin
» MM&C 5/9/24 Customs, security and economic aspects
» Union of Arab Banks: Iraq's environment encourages investment
» Government advisor: Movement to recover bad debts for the benefit of the Iraqi Trade Bank
» The International Development Bank announces the opening of its new branch in Erbil
» Oil seeks to convert refinery products to “Euro 5”... high quality and environmentally friendly
» Budget delay: the cry for help for paralyzed services and disrupted dreams
» Oil: Completion of projects to improve the quality of petroleum products, and others are under imple
» Chairman of the Securities Commission: 3 million shares, average daily trading volume
» Tamim calls on the countries participating in the meetings of the Arab Administrative Development Or
» Parliamentary Endowments: 39 thousand pilgrims, Iraq’s share, and waiving the religious obligation i
» Washington refers to Iraqi legislation that “does not harm” his international presence, and Baghdad
» Deputy: Extending the legislative term depends on sending the budget schedules
» Parliamentary Legal: 88 draft laws on the parliamentary shelf
» The head of the movement denies any Iraqi-American negotiations to remove the coalition
» A deputy expects to resolve the issue of electing the Speaker of Parliament next week
» Obtaining the approval of the Minister of Electricity to fill the energy shortage in Dhi Qar
» Economist on the decline in dollar prices: My time and it will not reach its official price
» The Iraqi Ministerial Council for National Security approves the 2024-2028 strategy
» Mulla Bakhtiar: Nechirvan Barzani's visit to Iran melted the ice between Erbil and Tehran
» Password "78"... Why did the Sudanese government's interrogations and noisy sessions decline?
» JP Morgan forecasts an increase in the oil capacity of Iraq and other countries in 2025
» Turkish Minister of Transport: The development road will cost $20 billion
» The Supreme Committee for Reconstruction and Investment approves a package of strategic projects
» Work: Preparing a unified national strategy to create job opportunities for youth
» The Prime Minister's financial advisor reduces the risks of the budget deficit
» Sudanese announces the signing of an agreement with Japan to finance small and medium enterprises in
» Government Advisor: The Securities Commission represents the governance base for promoting financial
» A unified national strategy to create job opportunities for youth
» A one-week deadline to decide the position of Speaker of Parliament
» Parliament: We coordinate with the competent regulatory authorities to examine medicines
» The Commission suspends the Kurdistan Parliament's voting procedures
» $100 million to localize the pharmaceutical industry
» Increase in external remittances at the Central Bank
» A government advisor reduces the risks of a budget deficit
» Culture: We seek to invest in the stability of the country to advance the tourism sector
» Integrity announces the results of a questionnaire on bribery in real estate registration department
» Parliament comments on Sudanese plan to restructure the government apparatus: It needs radical refor
» The dollar rises again against the Iraqi dinar in Baghdad
» Politician: The government does not deal transparently with the issue of expelling the Americans
» A government bank participating in an accounting project
» Masrour Barzani: The Kurdistan Regional Government has implemented all its obligations and duties
» French Consul: France strengthens relations with the Kurdistan Region
» Studies Center: Sudanese faces the challenges of maintaining sustainable relations with the United S
» “The absence of democracy is not possible.” The federal government remains silent on the postponemen