Conffederate
Confederate

April 17, 2007

Iranian Weapons Intercepted On the Way To the Taliban

Well, it looks like the mullacracy is willing to supply just about any insurgency, doesn't it?

U.S. forces recently intercepted Iranian-made weapons intended for Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, the Pentagon's top general said Tuesday, suggesting wider Iranian war involvement in the region.

It appeared to be the first publicly disclosed instance of Iranian arms entering Afghanistan, although it was not immediately clear whether the weapons came directly from Iran or were shipped through a third party.

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that unlike in Iraq, where U.S. officials say they are certain that arms are being supplied to insurgents by Iran's secretive Quds Force, the Iranian link in Afghanistan is murky.

"It is not as clear in Afghanistan which Iranian entity is responsible, but we have intercepted weapons in Afghanistan headed for the Taliban that were made in Iran," Pace told a group of reporters over breakfast.

He said the weapons, including mortars and C-4 plastic explosives, were intercepted in Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan within the past month. He did not describe the quantity of intercepted materials or say whether it was the first time American forces had found Iranian-made arms in that country.

If accurate, this seems to throw cold water on claims that Iran wouldn't support Sunni groups as willingly as they would Shiite militias.

Posted by Confederate Yankee at April 17, 2007 03:25 PM
Comments

this seems to throw cold water on claims that Iran wouldn't support Sunni groups as willingly as they would Shiite militias.

It's hard to believe that Iran would support Iraqi Sunnis at least, given that Iraqi Sunni are terrorizing Iraqi Shia.

On another note, we've discussed Fox news vs. other MSM recently. Here's another study that I just happened upon. Again Fox scores badly in it.

Posted by: Lex Steele at April 17, 2007 04:20 PM

Bomb, bomb, bomb

bomb, bomb Iran

Bomb Iran

Iran. I bombed. Iran.

Posted by: Ali Blabba at April 17, 2007 05:15 PM

Lex, on the Fox news poll. At least it said that "there were more Democrats in the least aware group". See most Dems are oblivious to whats really going on. They just care about how major events make them "feel". Don't forget, never let facts get in the way, as long as you feel good. People need to realize that sometimes we have to do things that make us feel like crap. Yes its true some people have to sacrifice their lives, but the democrats wont sacrifice a good feeling.

Posted by: Justin at April 17, 2007 06:58 PM

"It's hard to believe that Iran would support Iraqi Sunnis at least, given that Iraqi Sunni are terrorizing Iraqi Shia."

Exactly. Doesn't pass the smell test. Shiites giving military aid to Sunnis, and the Taliban at that? Extremely dubious.

Posted by: Arbotreeist at April 17, 2007 07:30 PM

Step 1:  Form fake Muslim insurgent group with stated aim of overthrowing U.S.

Step 2:  Accept weapons from Iran.

Step 3:  Redistribute weapons to U.S. military forces.

Step 4:  Throw massive kegger with money saved on military expenditures.

Posted by: Doc Washboard at April 17, 2007 07:56 PM

Lex, what about this sentence?

Fox topped only network morning show viewers.

Do you happen to know if there are more people watching FoxNews or the network morning shows?

Posted by: MikeM at April 17, 2007 08:03 PM

Justin,

Lex, on the Fox news poll. At least it said that "there were more Democrats in the least aware group". See most Dems are oblivious to whats really going on.

You carefully neglected this part of the quotation: "Democrats and Republicans were about equally represented in the most knowledgeable group," so you were dishonest. Further, you did not address the weak showing of Fox, so effectively you ceded that point. Finally, such broad generalizations are idiotic.

Posted by: Lex Steele at April 17, 2007 11:49 PM

MikeM: Do you happen to know if there are more people watching FoxNews or the network morning shows?

No, not a clue. You might try the Nielsen website.

Posted by: Lex Steele at April 17, 2007 11:50 PM

Bob, are you aware that last week it was reported that Iran was supplying Sunnis in Iraq with weapons? I see some commenters find it hard to believe that Iran is supplying weapons to Sunnis in Afghanistan. Perhaps you could show them the link from NPR.

Posted by: Will at April 18, 2007 01:19 AM

Will, that NPR page reports on the administration's accusations. That's a world of difference from the NPR asserting that the accusations are true.

Posted by: Lex Steele at April 18, 2007 10:16 AM

Lex, I think Liberals and conservatives have a different perception of Iran and its dubious intentions. Liberals don't see the true sinister goals of Iran. They think that Iran is only interested in defending themselves and Shiites worldwide, hence they look at the Bush administration's approach to Iran as agressive and as one that is provoking the mullahs. Hence, they also can't believe that Iran is aiding the sunni insurgents. But of course the truth of the matter is the Iranian agenda is alot more sinister than Liberals realize. Conservatives realize that Iran will do anything to make sure Democracy doesn't succeed in Afghanistan, Iraq or anywhere else in the world. The Iranian's wish to spread their brand of Islamic fundamentalism worldwide. And the more powerful and better equipped they become, the more aggressive they'll become in furthering their agenda. As a side point, keep in mind that the sunni Syrian government works with Hezbollah Shiites to further their own agenda. Strange, but true. Without fully understanding the Iranian government's ultimate goals, Liberals will never believe that Iran would aid sunni insurgents. For this same reason Liberals believe it is possible to negotiate with Iran about the situation in Iraq. The way they see it - and they say so themselves - Iran doesn't want to see a destabilized situation in Iran, for that would pose a danger to themselves. Accordingly, they believe it is possible to negotiate with Iran. But the this is an egregious misconception. Iran will do whatever it takes to make sure Democracy doesn't set foot inside Iraq and Afghanistan, whether its arming shiite or sunni insurgents. I think this explains the difference of opinion between conservatives and Liberals regarding Iraq. A time will probably come when all of us realize this fact, but hopefully it won't be too late by then.

Posted by: Will at April 18, 2007 02:05 PM