-Caveat Lector- http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=25756
WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! STRATFOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE UPDATE Would Hamas strike U.S. targets? Iran-backed group might attack to derail negotiated peace ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Editor's note: In partnership with Stratfor, the global intelligence company, WorldNetDaily publishes daily updates on international affairs provided by the respected private research and analysis firm. Look for fresh updates each afternoon, Monday through Friday. In addition, WorldNetDaily invites you to consider STRATFOR membership, entitling you to a wealth of international intelligence reports usually available only to top executives, scholars, academic institutions and press agencies. © 2001 WorldNetDaily.com Former Iranian president Hashemi Rafsanjani has warned that Palestinian suicide bombers might attack American targets. Such an operation is within the reach of extremist groups such as Hamas and would likely end any prospect for a negotiated peace settlement in Israel. Speaking to crowds rallying on Jerusalem Day, a Dec. 14 event marking the importance of Jerusalem to Islam, former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani warned that Palestinian suicide bombers might target U.S. assets. Rafsanjani warned "of a day when exhausted Palestinians, embracing martyrdom, decide to hit (American) vital interests all over the world," Agence France-Presse reported. Rafsanjani's statement was unspecific, but it is noteworthy, given Iran's close links with radical Palestinian groups such as Hamas. Palestinian groups rarely have targeted American facilities or personnel despite U.S. ties with Israel. Instead Palestinians have attempted to curry U.S. favor in hopes that Washington would pressure the Israeli government into a peace deal. But the political landscape has changed dramatically since Sept. 11, and radical groups may in fact have much to gain by attacking U.S. assets. Strikes on U.S. targets would obliterate Washington's support for Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat, who Hamas sees as an obstacle to its ambitions for a Palestinian state based on Islamic law. And a tough U.S.-Israeli response would likely sink any chances for an Israeli-Palestinian settlement. Rafsanjani's warning was ominous, though whether it was based on logical conjecture or solid intelligence remains unclear. In either case, it should be taken seriously. Rafsanjani has been playing Middle Eastern politics for decades and could very well be reading the tea leaves. He also continues to hold an extremely high position in the Iranian government and may be aware of plans for a Hamas operation. Iran has been involved with Hamas since 1993, when the group opened an office in Tehran. According to the U.S. State Department, Tehran usually provides Hamas with about $3 million a year, but has hiked this year's funding to nearly $18 million, The (London) Sunday Telegraph reported recently. In either case, Rafsanjani's speech gives his country an excuse if Hamas actually does launch an attack. Iran would very likely face U.S. wrath after a Hamas strike; at least now Tehran could say that Washington was warned. But would Hamas attack a U.S. target? This might appear suicidal in light of the Taliban's fate in Afghanistan. But an examination of the costs and benefits for Hamas suggests the idea isn't as far-fetched as it may seem. A fresh attack on U.S. assets by a designated terrorist group would most assuredly incite Washington's rage. But how would the United States respond? Israel would not allow Washington to send planes and cruise missiles to attack Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza. But Washington could share intelligence on Hamas with Israel. And it could cut off the group's funding from the United States. But the first is a weak card: Washington has relatively little intelligence that Tel Aviv does not have already. And the second card already has been played: Earlier this month Washington shut down the Holy Land Foundation, which it claims is the largest source of Hamas' U.S. funding. Hamas, however, would gain quite a bit by attacking Americans. Right now, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is focused on destroying Arafat's ability to lead the Palestinians – a goal Hamas also seeks. Arafat's political career is based on compromises and deal-making, which both hard-line Israelis like Sharon and hard-line Palestinian groups like Hamas deplore. Moreover, Hamas' biggest fear is probably that the United States will alter its policy in a few months and rein in Israeli military operations in the West Bank and Gaza. American deaths from a Hamas attack would ensure U.S. support for the Sharon government's aggressive military policies. Where could Hamas strike? The group has limited operations – mostly restricted to fundraising, propaganda and recruitment – in the United States. Hamas has better infrastructure in Europe, but striking in either place would likely expend most of the group's network, leaving it relatively incapable of further attacks abroad. And the resulting law enforcement crackdown would cripple Hamas' overseas recruitment and fundraising operations. The best targets would be in or near Israel itself. Plenty of U.S. companies and government agencies have offices in Israel, Jordan and Lebanon – and Hamas has sympathizers and machinery in all three countries. Because most U.S. businesses in the area employ local residents, the most dramatic targets would be embassies, consulates or cultural centers with large American populations. American facilities in Israel certainly are well-protected. But 10 years of relative immunity from Palestinian assault might have taken the edge off security procedures – and striking near large Palestinian populations would give Hamas better cover and ease of movement. *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! Write to same address to be off lists! <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! 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