Bipartisan Policy Center

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The Bipartisan Policy Center, according to investigative journalist Robert Dreyfuss, is 'a collection of neoconservatives, hawks, and neoliberal interventionists'. It is currently campaigning for military action against Iran.[1] Charles Robb and Charles Wald of the Bipartisan Policy Center have co-authored a report "Meeting the Challenge: When Time Runs Out" which recommends 'a triple-track strategy that involves the simultaneous pursuit of diplomacy; sanctions; and visible, credible military readiness activity.' The article sums up neoconservative wisdom on Iran, some of the memes recycled form the case against Iraq. Robb and Wald suggest without evidence that 'current trends suggest that Iran could achieve nuclear weapons capability before the end of this year.' They add:

Contrary to a growing number of voices in Washington, we do not believe a nuclear weapons-capable Iran could be contained. Instead, it would set off a proliferation cascade across the Middle East, and Iran would gain the ability to transfer nuclear materials to its terrorist allies...An even more likely scenario, however, is that Israel would first attack Iranian nuclear facilities, triggering retaliatory strikes by Iran and its terrorist proxies. This would put the United States in an extremely difficult position. If we remained neutral in such a conflict, it would only invigorate Tehran, antagonize our regional allies and lead to greater conflict...Sanctions can be effective only if coupled with open preparation for the military option as a last resort. Indeed, publicly playing down potential military options has weakened our leverage with Tehran, making a peaceful resolution less likely.[2]

Robert Dreyfuss notes that

it’s important to note that the report prominently cites Dennis Ross, currently “Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for the Central Region, National Security Council,” as one of the “original task force members” of the BPC’s bomb-Iran planning group. Ross, who’s been keeping a low profile, is the inside man for the neoconservatives in the Obama administration...It’s not the first time that the BPC has issued a war-mongering report on Iran. Its first was issued in September, 2008, and that report was signed by Dennis Ross. A second report, similar to the first, was released in September, 2009.[1]

Principals

Contact

http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Robert Dreyfuss, Hawks, UAE Ambassador Want War with Iran , The Nation, 9 July 2010
  2. Charles Robb and Charles Wald, Sanctions alone won't work on Iran, Washington Post, 9 July 2010