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Deep Background: Israel's New, Ex-Soviet Bases
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/issue/2012/apr/01/
April 01, 2012 ISSUE
by P H I L I P G I R A L D I
Philip Giraldi, a former CIA officer, is executive director of the Council
for the National Interest
Israel is tightening the noose around Iran. The Israeli government has
signed a secret agreement with the government of Azerbaijan to lease two
former Soviet military airfields located close to the Iranian border. One
of the facilities is being used as an intelligence collection site, with
advanced Sigint capabilities and preparations underway for drone
operations. The other base is being designated a search-and-rescue
facility. It will eventually have helicopters that will presumably be
dispatched to aid downed Israeli fliers if there is a preemptive attack on
Iran's nuclear facilities. The base will also have limited refueling and
recovery capabilities for planes too damaged to make the long flight back
to Israel over Iraqi or Saudi airspace. The Azerbaijani bases are much
closer to the prime Iranian nuclear targets at Natanz and Fordow than are
airfields in Israel itself. Recent Iranian government and media complaints
about threatening Azerbaijani activities reflect official concern on the
part of Tehran over the new developments.
Tel Aviv is also increasing its presence in neighboring Georgia, which is
serving as the conduit for equipment going to Azerbaijan, which is shipped
through the Black Sea port of Poti. The Israelis control an airfield in
Georgia that is being used for intelligence gathering and logistical
support for the large Israeli private-contractor and military-adviser
presence in the country. Israeli advisers are training the Georgian army in
the use of largely U.S.-supplied military equipment and are effectively
partners in the country's intelligence and security agencies. Drones
operating over northwest Iran have been flying out of the Georgian base.
John McCain's 2008 claim when the country went to war with Russia that
`we
are all Georgians now' becomes a lot more comprehensible when one realizes
that the drive to aid the country was largely about supporting Israel.
Israeli intelligence officers and military personnel in mufti are active in
Iraqi Kurdistan as well, where they have been recruiting agents to collect
information and carry out operations inside Iran. Many of the recruits are
affiliated with Pajak, a U.S. State Department-listed terrorist
organization. There are concerns within the U.S. intelligence community
that the Israelis are playing fast and loose with their affiliation in what
are known as false-flag operations, frequently representing themselves as
Americans in actions similar to those relating to Mossad's efforts to
recruit Jundallah militants in Western Europe. Israel also reportedly
attempted to hide behind a false flag in January when one of its drones
that had been operating over Syria went down in Turkey. The Israeli Foreign
Ministry initially denied any knowledge, suggesting that the device was
American. But the Turks, who have U.S. drones flying from airbases in their
own country, recognized that the drone was not of American manufacture, and
the Israeli Embassy was forced to recant and eventually apologize. No
apology was forthcoming to the United States. Back at home, the FBI is
investigating persistent reports that Israeli intelligence officers
operating in the U.S. are again pretending to be FBI or CIA to obtain the
cooperation of Arab-Americans. Philip Giraldi, a former CIA officer, is
executive director of the Council for the National Interest.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/issue/2012/apr/01/
April 01, 2012 ISSUE
by P H I L I P G I R A L D I
Philip Giraldi, a former CIA officer, is executive director of the Council
for the National Interest
Israel is tightening the noose around Iran. The Israeli government has
signed a secret agreement with the government of Azerbaijan to lease two
former Soviet military airfields located close to the Iranian border. One
of the facilities is being used as an intelligence collection site, with
advanced Sigint capabilities and preparations underway for drone
operations. The other base is being designated a search-and-rescue
facility. It will eventually have helicopters that will presumably be
dispatched to aid downed Israeli fliers if there is a preemptive attack on
Iran's nuclear facilities. The base will also have limited refueling and
recovery capabilities for planes too damaged to make the long flight back
to Israel over Iraqi or Saudi airspace. The Azerbaijani bases are much
closer to the prime Iranian nuclear targets at Natanz and Fordow than are
airfields in Israel itself. Recent Iranian government and media complaints
about threatening Azerbaijani activities reflect official concern on the
part of Tehran over the new developments.
Tel Aviv is also increasing its presence in neighboring Georgia, which is
serving as the conduit for equipment going to Azerbaijan, which is shipped
through the Black Sea port of Poti. The Israelis control an airfield in
Georgia that is being used for intelligence gathering and logistical
support for the large Israeli private-contractor and military-adviser
presence in the country. Israeli advisers are training the Georgian army in
the use of largely U.S.-supplied military equipment and are effectively
partners in the country's intelligence and security agencies. Drones
operating over northwest Iran have been flying out of the Georgian base.
John McCain's 2008 claim when the country went to war with Russia that
`we
are all Georgians now' becomes a lot more comprehensible when one realizes
that the drive to aid the country was largely about supporting Israel.
Israeli intelligence officers and military personnel in mufti are active in
Iraqi Kurdistan as well, where they have been recruiting agents to collect
information and carry out operations inside Iran. Many of the recruits are
affiliated with Pajak, a U.S. State Department-listed terrorist
organization. There are concerns within the U.S. intelligence community
that the Israelis are playing fast and loose with their affiliation in what
are known as false-flag operations, frequently representing themselves as
Americans in actions similar to those relating to Mossad's efforts to
recruit Jundallah militants in Western Europe. Israel also reportedly
attempted to hide behind a false flag in January when one of its drones
that had been operating over Syria went down in Turkey. The Israeli Foreign
Ministry initially denied any knowledge, suggesting that the device was
American. But the Turks, who have U.S. drones flying from airbases in their
own country, recognized that the drone was not of American manufacture, and
the Israeli Embassy was forced to recant and eventually apologize. No
apology was forthcoming to the United States. Back at home, the FBI is
investigating persistent reports that Israeli intelligence officers
operating in the U.S. are again pretending to be FBI or CIA to obtain the
cooperation of Arab-Americans. Philip Giraldi, a former CIA officer, is
executive director of the Council for the National Interest.