Iran Poses Threat to Centcom’s Area of Responsibility, Votel SaysBy Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media ActivityPRINT | E-MAIL | CONTACT AUTHORWASHINGTON, March 9, 2017 — Iran poses the most significant threat to U.S. Central Command's complex area of responsibility, Centcom commander Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.Centcom has dealt with a number of significant challenges over the past 12 months, including in Iraq and Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, Egypt and the Sinai, the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, he said.Video Player00:00 | 01:17VIDEO | 01:17 | Centcom Commander Discusses Mission Challenges at Senate Hearing"We are also dealing with a range of malign activities perpetrated by Iran and its proxies operating in the region," the general said at the hearing on the posture of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command."It is my view that Iran poses the greatest long-term threat to stability for this part of the world," Votel said.Iranian activities of concern, according to Votel, include "malign influence across Iraq and Syria," and efforts to prop up the Syrian regime and exploit Shia population centers.'Highly Complex Area'The Centcom area of responsibility, which covers four million square miles from the Arabian Gulf region into Central Asia, remains a "highly complex area, widely characterized by pervasive instability and conflict," he said.The region is "increasingly crowded" with external nation-states, including Russia and China, that are pursuing their own interests in attempting to shift alliances, Votel said."The central region has come to represent the nexus for many of the security challenges our nation faces," he said, "and, most importantly, the threats in this region continue to pose the most direct threat to the U.S. homeland and the global economy."Violent extremist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria are taking advantage of the fragile security environment of heightened ethno-sectarian tensions, economic uncertainty, and weak or corrupt governance, Votel explained."These groups have clearly indicated their desire and intent to attack the U.S. homeland, our interests abroad and the interest of our partners and allies," he said.Progress in Counter-ISIS FightThe coalition against ISIS continues to build momentum in defeating the terrorists in Iraq and Syria, and is pressuring the terrorists on multiple fronts and across all domains, according to Votel.He highlighted the importance of working with coalition members and partners on the ground.Video Player00:00 | 01:01VIDEO | 01:01 | Centcom Commander Discusses Organization’s Mission, Goals at Senate Hearing"As you are seeing clearly demonstrated in Iraq and Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere throughout our area of responsibility, we have adopted a 'by, with and through' approach that places a heavy reliance on indigenous forces," Votel said.The counter-ISIS campaign, now in its third year, is on track with its military plan to defeat the terrorists in Iraq and Syria, according to Votel."While we must take the necessary actions to counter immediate threats, such as ISIS in Iraq and Syria," Votel’s written statement to the committee said, "we also need to find ways to address these and other root causes of instability if we hope to achieve lasting positive effects in that part of the world."Afghanistan UpdateThe Afghanistan’s security forces are beginning their third year with full responsibility for security, with limited U.S. or coalition support, Votel pointed out.While the Taliban made gains in 2016, the Afghan forces quickly responded and reversed some Taliban gains, he said. It is essential, according to the general, for the United States to continue to assist the Afghan forces in addressing capability gaps, including in aviation.Votel said he and Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, the commander of the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, are developing advice and recommendations for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on the way forward in Afghanistan."I do believe it will involve additional forces to ensure that we can make the advise and assist mission more effective," Votel said.
Obama's Legacy, a Nuclear Iran? - Emily B. Landau (Middle East Quarterly)
- To former President Obama, the Iran deal is a shining nonproliferation success story. But his assessment is wrong. The JCPOA has many flaws and weaknesses.
- Up until 2013, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany (P5+1) had sought to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure - except perhaps for an extremely limited and mainly symbolic enrichment program - and to deny it the ability to develop nuclear weapons.
- However, by 2014, the P5+1 had deemed this goal unattainable and settled instead for a much watered-down aim: merely lengthening Tehran's breakout time from several months to a year while leaving much of its nuclear infrastructure intact. Moreover, they agreed to lift the restrictions in 10-15 years regardless of any change in Iran's behavior.
- Concessions, such as agreeing not to discuss ballistic missiles, opened the door to further compromises. The red-lines regarding the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear infrastructure turned pink, and many disappeared altogether. This included the number of centrifuges left spinning (originally 1,500, then 4,000, finally 6,000).
- Furthermore, the centrifuges were not dismantled but rather mothballed; the Fordow facility was left running; R&D was enabled into a full range of advanced centrifuges; and the demand for inspections of suspicious activities "any place, any time" turned into a much longer and ambiguous process. The hard-gained leverage of the biting sanctions that brought the Iranians to the table was gradually squandered in a process where Washington projected greater eagerness for a deal than Tehran.
- Obama's only achievement lies in kicking the nuclear can down the road to future administrations. But he created a reality in which it will be far more difficult to stop Iran down that road. The JCPOA does not end Tehran's nuclear ambitions, nor has it lived up to the president's hope of ushering in a new era in U.S.-Iranian relations.
Dr. Emily B. Landau is director of the Arms Control and Regional Security Program at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
Iran Sets Up Underground Rocket Factories in Lebanon - Avi Issacharoff (Times of Israel)
Iran has established rocket factories in Lebanon that are under the control of Hizbullah, the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida reported Monday, citing a deputy head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The factories, said to be located underground, have reportedly been in operation for the past three months.
Their staff includes advisers from the IRGC, as well as hundreds of Lebanese experts trained at the Imam Hossein University in Tehran.
The Iranian general said that the decision to produce rockets in Lebanon came after Israel bombed weapons factories in Sudan and supply routes for Iranian rockets via Syria.
Iran has established rocket factories in Lebanon that are under the control of Hizbullah, the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jarida reported Monday, citing a deputy head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The factories, said to be located underground, have reportedly been in operation for the past three months.
Their staff includes advisers from the IRGC, as well as hundreds of Lebanese experts trained at the Imam Hossein University in Tehran.
The Iranian general said that the decision to produce rockets in Lebanon came after Israel bombed weapons factories in Sudan and supply routes for Iranian rockets via Syria.
65 / 85
LOL that's just like you Dave, raising both middle fingers (as another chunk of God knows what falls off the roof onto the driveway).
Meanwhile we were expecting 12-16 here. We got 4 and it's over already. How crazy is that?! 4 days they've been *WARNING* us about this storm of DOOM. And except for the wind and ice it's a big dud!
LOL that's just like you Dave, raising both middle fingers (as another chunk of God knows what falls off the roof onto the driveway).
Meanwhile we were expecting 12-16 here. We got 4 and it's over already. How crazy is that?! 4 days they've been *WARNING* us about this storm of DOOM. And except for the wind and ice it's a big dud!
Iran Poses Threat to Centcom’s Area of Responsibility, Votel Says
By Lisa FerdinandoDoD News, Defense Media Activity
17
PRINT | E-MAIL | CONTACT AUTHOR
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2017 —
Iran poses the most significant threat to U.S. Central Command's complex area of responsibility
, Centcom commander Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
Centcom has dealt with a number of significant challenges over the past 12 months, including in Iraq and Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, Egypt and the Sinai, the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, he said.
"We are also dealing with a range of malign activities perpetrated by Iran and its proxies operating in the region," the general said at the hearing on the posture of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.
"It is my view that Iran poses the greatest long-term threat to stability for this part of the world," Votel said.
Iranian activities of concern, according to Votel, include "malign influence across Iraq and Syria," and efforts to prop up the Syrian regime and exploit Shia population centers.
Highly Complex Area'
The Centcom area of responsibility, which covers four million square miles from the Arabian Gulf region into Central Asia, remains a "highly complex area, widely characterized by pervasive instability and conflict," he said.
The region is "increasingly crowded" with external nation-states, including Russia and China, that are pursuing their own interests in attempting to shift alliances, Votel said.
"The central region has come to represent the nexus for many of the security challenges our nation faces," he said, "and, most importantly, the threats in this region continue to pose the most direct threat to the U.S. homeland and the global economy."
Violent extremist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria are taking advantage of the fragile security environment of heightened ethno-sectarian tensions, economic uncertainty, and weak or corrupt governance, Votel explained.
"These groups have clearly indicated their desire and intent to attack the U.S. homeland, our interests abroad and the interest of our partners and allies," he said.
Progress in Counter-ISIS Fight
The coalition against ISIS continues to build momentum in defeating the terrorists in Iraq and Syria, and is pressuring the terrorists on multiple fronts and across all domains, according to Votel.
He highlighted the importance of working with coalition members and partners on the ground.
"As you are seeing clearly demonstrated in Iraq and Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere throughout our area of responsibility, we have adopted a 'by, with and through' approach that places a heavy reliance on indigenous forces," Votel said.
The counter-ISIS campaign, now in its third year, is on track with its military plan to defeat the terrorists in Iraq and Syria, according to Votel.
"While we must take the necessary actions to counter immediate threats, such as ISIS in Iraq and Syria," Votel’s written statement to the committee said, "we also need to find ways to address these and other root causes of instability if we hope to achieve lasting positive effects in that part of the world."
Afghanistan Update
The Afghanistan’s security forces are beginning their third year with full responsibility for security, with limited U.S. or coalition support, Votel pointed out.
While the Taliban made gains in 2016, the Afghan forces quickly responded and reversed some Taliban gains, he said. It is essential, according to the general, for the United States to continue to assist the Afghan forces in addressing capability gaps, including in aviation.
Votel said he and Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, the commander of the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, are developing advice and recommendations for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on the way forward in Afghanistan.
"I do believe it will involve additional forces to ensure that we can make the advise and assist mission more effective," Votel said.
By Lisa FerdinandoDoD News, Defense Media Activity
17
WASHINGTON, March 9, 2017 —
Iran poses the most significant threat to U.S. Central Command's complex area of responsibility
, Centcom commander Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.
Centcom has dealt with a number of significant challenges over the past 12 months, including in Iraq and Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, Egypt and the Sinai, the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, he said.
00:00 | 01
"We are also dealing with a range of malign activities perpetrated by Iran and its proxies operating in the region," the general said at the hearing on the posture of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Africa Command.
"It is my view that Iran poses the greatest long-term threat to stability for this part of the world," Votel said.
Iranian activities of concern, according to Votel, include "malign influence across Iraq and Syria," and efforts to prop up the Syrian regime and exploit Shia population centers.
Highly Complex Area'
The Centcom area of responsibility, which covers four million square miles from the Arabian Gulf region into Central Asia, remains a "highly complex area, widely characterized by pervasive instability and conflict," he said.
The region is "increasingly crowded" with external nation-states, including Russia and China, that are pursuing their own interests in attempting to shift alliances, Votel said.
"The central region has come to represent the nexus for many of the security challenges our nation faces," he said, "and, most importantly, the threats in this region continue to pose the most direct threat to the U.S. homeland and the global economy."
Violent extremist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria are taking advantage of the fragile security environment of heightened ethno-sectarian tensions, economic uncertainty, and weak or corrupt governance, Votel explained.
"These groups have clearly indicated their desire and intent to attack the U.S. homeland, our interests abroad and the interest of our partners and allies," he said.
Progress in Counter-ISIS Fight
The coalition against ISIS continues to build momentum in defeating the terrorists in Iraq and Syria, and is pressuring the terrorists on multiple fronts and across all domains, according to Votel.
He highlighted the importance of working with coalition members and partners on the ground.
00:00 | 01:01
"As you are seeing clearly demonstrated in Iraq and Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere throughout our area of responsibility, we have adopted a 'by, with and through' approach that places a heavy reliance on indigenous forces," Votel said.
The counter-ISIS campaign, now in its third year, is on track with its military plan to defeat the terrorists in Iraq and Syria, according to Votel.
"While we must take the necessary actions to counter immediate threats, such as ISIS in Iraq and Syria," Votel’s written statement to the committee said, "we also need to find ways to address these and other root causes of instability if we hope to achieve lasting positive effects in that part of the world."
Afghanistan Update
The Afghanistan’s security forces are beginning their third year with full responsibility for security, with limited U.S. or coalition support, Votel pointed out.
While the Taliban made gains in 2016, the Afghan forces quickly responded and reversed some Taliban gains, he said. It is essential, according to the general, for the United States to continue to assist the Afghan forces in addressing capability gaps, including in aviation.
Votel said he and Army Gen. John W. Nicholson, the commander of the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, are developing advice and recommendations for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on the way forward in Afghanistan.
"I do believe it will involve additional forces to ensure that we can make the advise and assist mission more effective," Votel said.
Full of Shit but I don't doubt the intent.....
Iranian Official Boasts of "Guerilla Movement" within the U.S. - Candice Malcolm (Toronto Sun-Canada)
In a new video, Hassan Abbasi, a senior advisor to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who now runs a security policy division of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is seen boasting about a "guerilla movement" of Iranian agents living and working in the U.S.
Abbasi claims there are over two million Iranians in the U.S., and that Iran is leading a clandestine army of potential martyrs within the U.S.
"We have identified the United States' Achilles' heel," said Abbasi. "We [know] all their ground, naval, air, technological and other vulnerabilities."
Abbasi said that while only a handful of Saudis carried out the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Iranians are even better organized and more committed to waging war against the West.
View the video.
Iranian Official Boasts of "Guerilla Movement" within the U.S. - Candice Malcolm (Toronto Sun-Canada)
In a new video, Hassan Abbasi, a senior advisor to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who now runs a security policy division of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is seen boasting about a "guerilla movement" of Iranian agents living and working in the U.S.
Abbasi claims there are over two million Iranians in the U.S., and that Iran is leading a clandestine army of potential martyrs within the U.S.
"We have identified the United States' Achilles' heel," said Abbasi. "We [know] all their ground, naval, air, technological and other vulnerabilities."
Abbasi said that while only a handful of Saudis carried out the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Iranians are even better organized and more committed to waging war against the West.
View the video.
