Holocaust Denial and Potential War Crimes Investigations
After years of holocaust denying, calling for Israel to be “wiped off the face of the map”, and pursuing a nuclear weapons program against the will of the international community, Iran’s Ahmadinejad regime recently reassured any doubters that he is indeed a nutcase. It seems that new (but not really new) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu’s unsurprising hard line (i.e. ain’t gonna happen) position toward Iran’s nuclear aspirations – and his willingness to say so – has Tehran’s turbans in a collective twist. Reuters reports:
UNITED NATIONS, April 14 (Reuters) – Iran demanded on Tuesday that the U.N. Security Council respond firmly to what it described as Israel’s “unlawful and insolent threats” to launch an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities…
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres, have suggested the Jewish state could use military force to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, as the West suspects it is doing…
“These outrageous threats of resorting to criminal and terrorist acts against a sovereign country and a member of the United Nations not only display the aggressive and warmongering nature of the Zionist regime, but also constitute blatant violations of international law,” Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee wrote.
In Ahmadinejad’s defense (yes, those words were difficult to type), there are certain cultural disconnects that cannot be overstated. For example, bravado and talking smack are part of Persian culture when discussing enemies (don’t take my word for it, read The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran
Investigating War Crimes
There’s no doubt that war crimes have occurred in the execution of the War on Terror. Corroborating memos have been declassified, brave soldiers at all levels have come forward and given testimony, independent groups like the ICRC have compiled meticulously researched reports, and policies have been drastically changed and/or completely scrapped as a result of these revelations and the public outcry that followed. Now what?
Should there be a public investigation of the Bush administration’s and CIA’s post-9/11 detention, rendition and interrogation programs of suspected terrorists? That’s the question being asked of national security experts at the National Journal Online. Among those asked to participate are former CIA official (head of the agency’s Bin Laden Unit), and author of bestselling Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror
“The whole idea of an investigation is predicated on the idea that no one but the White House — and then only Bush’s White House — had any idea of what was going on. Anyone who knows how covert action works, however, knows that at least the leaders of both parties in Congress, and more often all the members of the two intelligence committees, know what covert actions have been approved by the president before they are executed. The representatives and senators therefore have ample opportunity to register their disapproval with the CIA and the White House before operations begin, and, of course, always have the option of stopping the planned operations by cutting funding.
My guess is that there will be no investigation because they are too many skeletons in the Democratic closet that are too hot to let loose.”
Scheuer is right. I wouldn’t expect to see much come out of this which, unfortunately, means that the rule of law applies only when convenient. Is it enough to merely recognize mistakes (i.e. preemptive war, torture, and extraordinary rendition as official policy) or do we, as a nation, need to go further to regain the moral high ground?
Taking My Show on the Road
I’ll be guest lecturing next Friday, April 24th at Salem State College on “21st Century Terrorism.” I’m thinking about filming it and putting a clip or two on the blog. Good idea? UPDATED 4/27/09: Here is an overview of my lecture.
I’ll also be a live guest on former Libertarian Presidential Vice Presidential Candidate Daniel E. Williams’ new webcast “The Opium Den” on April 30th at 9PM EST. I’ll be talking about the growing connection between Islamic terrorism and organized crime, particularly narcotrafficking. Turn on, tune in and, well, send in your questions and comments. UPDATED 5/5/09: You can hear the entire interview right now here.
To book me for a lecture or debate go here.
See you next week.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
Kara | Apr 17, 2009 | Reply
Yes, good idea. We want to see the master in action!
Love the “turbans in a twist” phrase. Great play-on-words.
Daniel Williams | Apr 17, 2009 | Reply
There is no question (at least in my mind) that Israel will take decisive military action against Iran’s nuclear program – and the sooner the better. Mr. Obama may believe his rhetorical skills and deft diplomatic touch will save the day, but such delusion in the face of reality will render him quite lonely when Israel takes action against Iran.
It is becoming increasingly evident that candidate Obama performed much better than president Obama. In my area of expertise; drug policy, Mr. Obama has exhibited naked disdain for those among us casting votes in the “hope” for “change” in drug policy. The drug policy blogs are white-hot and seething over his macho statements in Mexico about cracking down on drug users here in America. Even the appeasers – “he’s got a game plan, just you wait!” – are beginning to get queasy…
His hypocrisy and cowardice is appalling – and not just regarding drug policy. We must flush the Obama pixie dust from our eyes and open them wide. Only then will it become clear that he is nothing more than a typical Chicago politician. I can’t wait until 2012.
And I can’t wait to have Randy as my guest April 30. It is my desire to share the wisdom and insight of those outside drug policy reform with those inside. We certainly need all the fresh voices we can find. (And I’m doing the my homework you sent along…)
RGVgal | Apr 17, 2009 | Reply
I second your recommendation of Dr. Scheuer’s book. It was an excellent read.
dickmill | Apr 17, 2009 | Reply
Obama and Netanyahu are two peas in a pod (stay with me…) — both ran on big ideas that the majority of the electorate bought: Obama, that there would be “real change” (whatever the issue: energy, education, taxes/economy, etc.) and Netanyahu, Israeli security (i.e. take care of the Iran problem.)
Now we’ll find out who will ultimately be viewed as fulfilling the campaign promise. One major difference is that Obama probably has 8 years to show his stuff and a decade or two for the pundits to reflect. Netanyahu has weeks or months. And the pundits will be on the cable networks faster than covering a car chase on the freeway.
My guess: Obama won’t get much done in 8 years (because Congress can be, and is, bought.) Netanyahu will act within 2009 (because he believes the alternative is unacceptable.)
And you think that the Muslim community is pissed now?