Iran/Iraq ‘Defectors’ and Disinformation

from Consortium News:



Iran/Iraq ‘Defectors’ and Disinformation
January 2, 2012

Exclusive: Official Washington has a soft spot for “defectors” from hostile nations, especially if their tales of perfidy about their ex-homelands fit with favored policy. That was the case with Iraq before the 2003 invasion and now with Iran, but these “defectors” often tell lies, reports Robert Parry.

By Robert Parry


A new American war hysteria is rising, this time over Iran, and – like its predecessor with Iraq – this one employs “defectors” who come forward, often under the umbrella of neocon organizations, to impart alarming tales.

The latest example is a “default judgment” by a U.S. federal judge implicating Iran in the 9/11 attacks. It is based largely on Iranian “defectors” whose testimony was given without Iranian lawyers or anyone else present to challenge the lurid claims. Since Iran has no diplomatic relations with the United States and rejects the judgments of U.S. courts, the “default judgment” was predictable.

Nevertheless, it is being used as another talking point for launching a war against Iran.

Beyond the exaggerations and falsehoods of this Iran-9/11 argument, it is also worth recalling how Iraqi “defectors” were deployed in the run-up to war with Iraq. American journalists and intelligence analysts were either duped or overwhelmed by the sheer number of these “walk-ins.” ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://consortiumnews.com/2012/01/02/iraniraq-defectors-and-disinformation/