Gareth Porter

Gareth Porter is an investigative historian and journalist specializing in U.S. national security policy. The paperback edition of his latest book, Perils of Dominance: Imbalance of Power and the Road to War in Vietnam, was published in 2006.

Netanyahu’s 2010 Order Was Not a Move to War on Iran

A new twist was added to the long-running media theme of a threat by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to go to war with Iran when news stories seemed to suggest Monday that Netanyahu had ordered the Israeli military to prepare for an imminent attack on Iranian nuclear sites in 2010. Netanyahu backed down after … Continue reading “Netanyahu’s 2010 Order Was Not a Move to War on Iran”

Pentagon Nixed 1998 US Nuclear Scientists’ Probe of Iranian Program

In 1998, the Defense Department vetoed a delegation of prominent U.S. nuclear specialists to go to Iran to investigate its nuclear program at the invitation of the government of newly-elected Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, according to the nuclear scientist who was organizing the mission. The Pentagon objected to the delegation’s mission even though it was … Continue reading “Pentagon Nixed 1998 US Nuclear Scientists’ Probe of Iranian Program”

Obama Aides Launch Preemptive Attack on New Iran Plan

Although the place and time of the next round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program have not yet been announced, the maneuvering by Iran and the United States to influence the outcome has already begun. Iran sought support for a revised proposal to the talks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last month, according … Continue reading “Obama Aides Launch Preemptive Attack on New Iran Plan”

How the US Quietly Lost the IED War in Afghanistan

Although the surge of “insider attacks” on U.S.-NATO forces has dominated coverage of the war in Afghanistan in 2012, an even more important story has been quietly unfolding: the U.S. loss of the pivotal war of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to the Taliban. Some news outlets have published stories this year suggesting that the U.S. … Continue reading “How the US Quietly Lost the IED War in Afghanistan”

Iranian Diplomat Says Iran Offered Deal to Halt 20% Enrichment

Iran has again offered to halt its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent, which the United States has identified as its highest priority in the nuclear talks, in return for easing sanctions against Iran, according to Iran’s permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ali Asghar Soltanieh, who has conducted Iran’s negotiations with … Continue reading “Iranian Diplomat Says Iran Offered Deal to Halt 20% Enrichment”

Taliban Outflank U.S. War Strategy with Insider Attacks

Sharply increased attacks on U.S. and other NATO personnel by Afghan security forces, reflecting both infiltration of and Taliban influence on those forces, appear to have outflanked the U.S.-NATO command’s strategy for maintaining control of the insurgency. The Taliban-instigated “insider attacks”, which have already killed 51 NATO troops in 2012 – already 45 percent more … Continue reading “Taliban Outflank U.S. War Strategy with Insider Attacks”

Pink Shrouds Aimed to Draw Attention to Iran Military Site, Analysts Say

Diplomats from an unidentified country and a Washington research organisation considered close to the International Atomic Energy Agency have alleged in recent weeks that Iran has covered two buildings at a military site to hide a clean-up of evidence of nuclear weapons related testing. But two former intelligence analysts with experience in interpreting satellite photographs … Continue reading “Pink Shrouds Aimed to Draw Attention to Iran Military Site, Analysts Say”

IAEA Report Shows Iran Reduced Its Breakout Capacity

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report made public Thursday reveals that Iran has actually reduced the amount of 20-percent enriched uranium available for any possible “breakout” to weapons grade enrichment over the last three months rather than increasing it. Contrary to the impression conveyed by most news media coverage, the report provides new evidence … Continue reading “IAEA Report Shows Iran Reduced Its Breakout Capacity”

Police Case for Iranian Bomb Plot Based on Tainted Evidence

In the three-part series “The Delhi Car Bombing: How the Police Built a False Case,” award-winning investigative journalist Gareth Porter dissects the Delhi police accusation against an Indian journalist and four Iranians of involvement in the Feb. 13 bombing of an Israeli embassy car. The “Special Cell” of the Delhi police has identified an Iranian, … Continue reading “Police Case for Iranian Bomb Plot Based on Tainted Evidence”

Israel’s Iran War Talk Aims at Deal for Tougher US Policy

Two recent interviews apparently given by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak provide evidence that the new wave of reports in the Israeli press about a possible Israeli attack on Iran is a means by which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Barak hope to leverage a U.S. shift toward Israel’s red lines on Iran’s nuclear program. … Continue reading “Israel’s Iran War Talk Aims at Deal for Tougher US Policy”