Rossputin.com Rational Thinking About Our World

ABC's blog "The Blotter" is reporting a new "nonlethal presidential finding" authorizing the CIA to try to destabilize the Iranian government through a "plan that reportedly includes a coordinated campaign of propaganda, disinformation and manipulation of Iran's currency and international financial transactions."

While the story is quite interesting, it is not particularly surprising. What I enjoyed even more was the many dozens of comments calling ABC News a bunch of traitors for running a story about such an important covert program.

Thinking about it a bit, I wrote the following as my thoughts on the "leak":

Although I certainly understand the gut reaction of calling ABC traitorous for running this story, and although that criticism is probably correct (along with CNN, Dan Rather, etc.), this could be an example of our government being very sneakily clever.

It would not surprise me at all if someone very high in government instructed that this presidential finding be leaked to the press.

If there is anything which might cause the Iranian leadership to actually consider taking US demands seriously, it is the thought that we may help foment a revolution in Iran.

They clearly are not afraid of sanctions or a military strike, or at least they are not showing any fear.

Just as American politicians care most about winning their next election, Iranian leaders probably care most about keeping their reins of power.

Letting them know that we may try to take that away from them (even if our potential influence is small) is a good strategy. Letting them know as an apparent unwanted leak is probably even more effective.