The Fake Terror Threat Used To Justify Bombing Syria--The Truth Emerges Only When It's Impotent

[KoKo]

In an extensive new report, The Intercept questions whether the much-hyped Khorasan Group actually exist


By Glenn Greenwald and Murtaza Hussain

There are serious questions about whether the Khorasan Group even exists in any meaningful or identifiable manner. Aki Peritz, a CIA counterterrorism official until 2009, told Time: “I’d certainly never heard of this group while working at the agency,” while Obama’s former U.S. ambassador to Syria Robert Ford said: ”We used the term [Khorasan] inside the government, we don’t know where it came from….All I know is that they don’t call themselves that.” As The Intercept was finalizing this article, former terrorism federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy wrote in National Review that the group was a scam: “You haven’t heard of the Khorosan Group because there isn’t one. It is a name the administration came up with, calculating that Khorosan … had sufficient connection to jihadist lore that no one would call the president on it.”

What happened here is all-too-familiar. The Obama administration needed propagandistic and legal rationale for bombing yet another predominantly Muslim country. While emotions over the ISIS beheading videos were high, they were not enough to sustain a lengthy new war.

So after spending weeks promoting ISIS as Worse Than Al Qaeda™, they unveiled a new, never-before-heard-of group that was Worse Than ISIS™. Overnight, as the first bombs on Syria fell, the endlessly helpful U.S. media mindlessly circulated the script they were given: this new group was composed of “hardened terrorists,” posed an “imminent” threat to the U.S. homeland, was in the “final stages” of plots to take down U.S. civilian aircraft, and could “launch more-coordinated and larger attacks on the West in the style of the 9/11 attacks from 2001.”"

As usual, anonymity was granted to U.S. officials to make these claims. As usual, there was almost no evidence for any of this. Nonetheless, American media outlets — eager, as always, to justify American wars — spewed all of this with very little skepticism. Worse, they did it by pretending that the U.S. government was trying not to talk about all of this — too secret! — but they, as intrepid, digging journalists, managed to unearth it from their courageous “sources.” Once the damage was done, the evidence quickly emerged about what a sham this all was. But, as always with these government/media propaganda campaigns, the truth emerges only when it’s impotent.

Much More of the Timeline of Khorasan Threats hyped by Media Reporters....Great Read with Video at:

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/09/28/u-s-officials-invented-terror-group-justify-bombing-syria/

[orpupilofnature57]

1. Thank God for people like Glen Greenwald, Amy Goodman, Ike and You

[markpkessinger]

25. In the documentary, "Why We Fight," . . .

. . . by Eugene Jarecki, ike's granddaughter, Susan Eisenhower, recalls her grandfather, as President, sitting in the Oval Office and saying, "God help this country when someone sits in this chair who doesn't understand the military like I understand the military!"

I think we are seeing exactly what he meant!

[ReRe]

35. Absolutely! n/t

[orpupilofnature57]

38. Geat movie as is ' Our Brand is Crisis ' .

[jamzrockz]

2. Remember folks

"The first casualty when war comes is truth". It's not always true in every occasion but if there is any doubt as to why the govt is leading us to war, then the quote applies

[orpupilofnature57]

14. After the American Revolution tell me one . War is Evil .

[deutsey]

3. I wonder if "Khorasan" is Arabic for "bogeyman"? n/t

[HereSince1628]

22. Well, if we play "sounds-like", as we did for Daesh

KHORASAN sounds a lot like "courtisan" as in reference to a somewhat shady partner ... often a prostitute, paramour or otherwise illicit bed-partner.

During the Cheney administration the warmongers loved to hide shit pretty much right out in the open.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. When one bogeyman isn't enough..invent a nastier, meaner, hairier and scarier, one.

[leftstreet]

5. What happened to Campaign Obama?

December 30, 2007

2. In what circumstances, if any, would the president have constitutional authority to bomb Iran without seeking a use-of-force authorization from Congress? (Specifically, what about the strategic bombing of suspected nuclear sites -- a situation that does not involve stopping an IMMINENT threat?)

The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.

As Commander-in-Chief, the President does have a duty to protect and defend the United States. In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/CandidateQA/ObamaQA/

[KoKo]

8. Thanks for his exact quote...

I thought I remembered him saying that and was one of the main reasons I voted for him.

But, we are often told he didn't say things we remember him saying...that, it was "our fault" for misreading or misinterpreting what he meant in his campaign speeches and addresses.

[markpkessinger]

26. Exactly . . .

. . . the kind of hairsplitting the Palace Guard uses to defend anything and everything this President does is truly something to behold!

[leftstreet]

28. LOL

at 'Palace Guard'

[ConservativeDemocrat]

40. Meanwhile, back in reality

According to a new CBS News/New York Times poll, 57 percent of Americans don't think Mr. Obama is being tough enough in dealing with ISIS militants, while just 31 percent think his approach is about right.

Only 2% of Democrats thought he was being "too tough" with ISIL. 3% of Independents (clearly, frustrated Communists).

I'll not even bother trying to explain to you the difference between attacking al Qae'ida, which is what ISIL is (just renamed), and starting a full fledged war with the nation of Iran. Just remember that Congress has a standing Authorization to use Military Force against al Qae'ida, which President Obama was always for, so any accusation of hypocrisy or betrayal is more due to a short circuit in your brain than anything to do with him.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[KoKo]

41. Just remember that "One Person's Reality...is Another's Fantasy."

and Vice Versa.

[underpants]

6. The National Review?

Sorry not buying this at all.

[KoKo]

7. You need the whole article and quotes...

It will become clearer.

[Octafish]

10. New Improved Khorasan

Fortified with 100-Percent Pure MICBS

[kentuck]

11. More likely...

They had their sights on that one terrorist "leader" and wanted to take him out. Nothing more.

[markpkessinger]

15. And even more likely . . .

. . . is that the cabal of war profiteers has had a hard-on for war with Syria since last summer, and knew that while ISIS alone would not generate support for bombing Syria, the additional of a new "dire threat" along with Isis would do the trick.

[KoKo]

16. Re Khorasan: One of those "Security Consultants" paid by the MIC

was on TV saying (this past Saturday) saying that Khorasan had a factory working on "toothpaste tube bombs" and other ways of concealing bombs in ordinary looking personal products people carry onto airplanes.

I assume "exploding tampons" or "disposable razors" might have been on their list...but, he didn't mention those. So we took out their factory....so he said.

I don't know..reeks to much of "Yellow Cake from Niger" and "aluminum tubes" ...etc.

But, then...what do I know. I'm not a "Security Expert" or former General paid by the MIC to appear on CNN/MSNBC/FAUX. Catchy name though...for their group. Whether real or assigned by MIC....like "ISIS" which is so catchy and not the real name of that group.
-------
(I posted this in reply on a thread here on DU yesterday--when I'd been channel surfing to find weather report and this "Security Expert" was on talking about this was their Explosives Factory that was bombed. I think many of us who lived through the Bush Administration lies were very skeptical of this group, we had never heard of, who was going to blow up planes suddenly appearing to frighten us into bombing Syria. Now it seems we were correct. And, who knows if there really was a Factory they blew up or just another lie. We will probably never know because there isn't any reporter there to verify what the airstrikes take out. )

[Dont call me Shirley]

18. Don't choose the wrong tampon, ladies.

[Union Scribe]

29. I'd love to see that episode of "How It's Made"

"Today, on How It's Made, Skittles, alarm clocks, and exploding tampons..."

[ieoeja]

12. The people I regularly hang out with do not have a name for our group.

Ergo, we do not exist.

So why the fuck am I at work? If I am not going to exist, you would think I could not exist somewhere nicer.

[orpupilofnature57]

13. You think, therefore you are.

[Marr]

17. Just like ISIS, I expect.

From what I've seen, "ISIS" or "ISIL" seems like little more than a blanket term for any militant, anti-western group in the Middle East. ISIS can be said to be doing just about anything you like, because it's collection of all sorts of groups that may not even have any affiliation with one another. Those street thugs over there? ISIS. That religious army over there? ISIS. That suicide bomber over there? ISIS.

I suppose the "War on Terror" needs an enemy that's completely nebulous, re-definable, and impossible to actually eradicate.

[J_J_]

19. Terrorism experts believe that the actual danger posed by ISIS has been distorted in hours of TV

"American intelligence agencies have concluded that it poses no immediate threat to the United States. Some officials and terrorism experts believe that the actual danger posed by ISIS has been distorted in hours of television punditry and alarmist statements by politicians"

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/middleeast/struggling-to-gauge-isis-threat-even-as-us-prepares-to-act.html?_r=2

[MohRokTah]

20. Compelte and utter crap. Not a word of truth to it.

It it's on The Interscept, it's ALL LIES.

Greenwald is worse than Limbaugh.

[markpkessinger]

24. My goodness . . .`

. . . now not only is Greenwald a shameless self-promoter, but now every word out of his mouth (pen) is a lie. Where DID they put my fainting couch?

'Greenwald is worse than Limbaugh." -- Okay, that's right up there on the delusion scale with "Obama is just like Hitler."

[gratuitous]

31. Now, now

Who are we to dispute with people who clearly have superior intelligence, know precisely what's going on, and are here only to impart their wisdom to us? While we are flailing about, trying to bring coherence to a situation that by all appearances is meant to be incoherent for some unfathomable reason, those who possess the True Clear Vision of events in the Middle East are just trying to enlighten us poor slobs.

Seems some of us need to adjust our attitudes, you know? Be more sensible!

[markpkessinger]

39. I stand duly reprimanded . . .

. . . but if Greenwald really is worse than Limbaugh, then I guess Rachel Maddow is worse than Rupert Murdoch for having him on her show from time to time. Damn, I really liked her, too!

[zeemike]

34. Delusional but effective.

The aversion response is designed to move peoples thinking...and it don't have to make any sense.

[Union Scribe]

27. Lol. Someone's grumbly. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

37. Can you provide a point by point demolition of the article?

I'd be interested in seeing that, as opposed to what you offered, which is nothing.

[markpkessinger]

21. This is all pretty consistent . . .

. . . with what I posted last Wednesday.

[markpkessinger]

23. But, but . . .

. . . Greenwald/Hamscher/Cato/pole dancers/crop circles!!!

[FlatStanley]

30. I trust my President (TM)

I'm ready for Hillary (TM)

[Dustlawyer]

32. After we achieve Publicly Funded Federal, State, and Local Elections, the first thing that needs to

be done is to bust up the media oligarchy and require "truth" in the news!

Things are building to a head as they are not really trying to hide it anymore. The MIC needed to be fed. It got really big with two all you can bomb buffets in Iraq and Afganistan for many years, then we drastically reduced their food intake. Now they are raiding the fridge again!

[stupidicus]

33. http://www.alternet.org/world/why-showdown-islamic-extremists-war-pentagon-was-hoping

eom

[ReRe]

36. KoKo's OP

Sorry, KoKo... have to come back to this later this evening!