It's Happening: Neocons Out in Obama's Iran Braintrust, Realists In

Rejoice. We always knew this is what the election was about. There are very hopeful signs in this list of Obama experts giving him advice re Iran. Says Muhammad Idrees Ahmad:

It is quite significant that among the experts is Gary Sick, an old Carter-Reagan era realist NSC staffer who has long been out of favour in Washington. He maintains the important Gulf2000 mailing list which is home to other sober analysts (such as Juan Cole), journalists, policy makers etc. Thomas Pickering, another realist, was Bush's ambassador to the UN, and presently serves on the board of directors of the National Iranian American Council. It is significant that no neocon names are mentioned for 'balance'.

Comments

[Susie]

Gary Sick is brilliant on Iran and everything else. He was also one of those who tried to expose Reagan's treason (the "October Surprise") in secretly negotiating with Iran to not release the US hostages before the election, to ensure his upset win over Pres. Jimmy Carter.

[Susie]

Gary Sick is brilliant on Iran and everything else. He was also one of those who tried to expose Reagan's treason (the "October Surprise") in secretly negotiating with Iran to not release the US hostages before the election, to ensure his upset win over Pres. Jimmy Carter.

[Glenn Condell]

Let's hope this means the Rahm appt to a senior but powerless (in terms of fo-po) position was a means of sidelining a potential antagonist (and the forces he represents) by keeping him inside the tent.

[hlmeankin]

The real issue here is not how intellectual or nuanced Sick's thinking is,but will Obama abandon his flawed view that Iran's possession of nuclear weapons is non-negotiable.
Why can't Iran have nukes?
Because it changes the balance of power in the mideast. So what?
Because then Israel can't push around the Palestinians as easily.
Ah,there we have it..
If the goal of protecting Israeli hegemony isn't abandoned,then "realism" is only a softer form of neoconism..
which in essence is zionism

[Colin Murray]

President-Elect Obama's selection of judges that hear national security cases, e.g., the AIPAC spy case, are of similar importance. Actual even-handed enforcement (is it too much to hope for?) of our nation's laws will go a long way towards bringing the lobby's activities out in the open for public scrutiny.

The following AP article discusses judicial appointment possibilities.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-obama-judges,0,6381534.story

[Colin Murray]

It is late. :( The preceding post should read "President-Elect Obama's selection of judges ... IS of similar importance."

[Sword of Gideonthe point.]

That's terrific, Gary Sick who thought that Reagan conspired with the Iranians and the rest of the Carter hold overs. Can't imagine what could go wrong there;.

[anon]

Actually, Reagan conspired with Iran to hold off the release of American hostages while Carter was still in office, both running to be POTUS of the next USA regime. Israel was very active in this affair.

[Colin Murray]

Anon is right on target. This affair is very well documented. Don't let me bias you by suggesting sources. My impression is that you are intelligent and savvy enough to dig out the truth, if you actually want to know it. Former President Reagan may, or may not have, been completely in the loop, but his subordinates most certainly "conspired with Iran to hold off the release of American hostages while Carter was still in office, (while) both (were) running to be POTUS of the next USA regime." I differ from anon however in Israel's role. I don't think that they were 'very active', but rather key participants, in the same sense that they were key participants in the 1956 invasion of Egypt, rather than merely 'very active'.

[anon]

I don't disagree with CM.