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.

US Treasury Claim of Iran-al-Qaeda ‘Secret Deal’ Is Discredited

The U.S. Treasury Department’s claim of a "secret deal" between Iran and al-Qaeda, which had become a key argument by right-wing activists who support war against Iran, has been discredited by former intelligence officials in the wake of publication of documents from Osama bin Laden’s files revealing a high level of antagonism between al-Qaeda and … Continue reading “US Treasury Claim of Iran-al-Qaeda ‘Secret Deal’ Is Discredited”

The Truth Behind the Official Story of Finding Bin Laden

A few days after US Navy Seals killed Osama bin Laden in a raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a "senior intelligence official" briefing reporters on the materials seized from bin Laden’s compound said the materials revealed that bin Laden had "continued to direct even tactical details of the group’s management." Bin Laden was, "not just a … Continue reading “The Truth Behind the Official Story of Finding Bin Laden”

US-Afghan Pact Won’t End War or Night Raids

The optics surrounding the Barack Obama administration’s “Enduring Strategic Partnership” [.pdf] agreement with Afghanistan and the memorandums of understanding (MOU) accompanying it emphasize transition to Afghan responsibility and an end to U.S. war. But the only substantive agreement reached between the U.S. and Afghanistan — well hidden in the agreements — has been to allow … Continue reading “US-Afghan Pact Won’t End War or Night Raids”

Understanding Iran’s Diplomatic Strategy

In January 2009, just before Gary Samore left his position as Vice-President for Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, he summed up his rather cynical view of how Iran would conduct negotiations. "The logical position the Iranians are bound to take," he wrote in a post on the Council’s website, "is: ‘We’re happy to … Continue reading “Understanding Iran’s Diplomatic Strategy”

Report on Iran’s Nuclear Fatwa Distorts Its History

The Barack Obama administration’s new interest in the 2004 religious verdict, or “fatwa,” by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banning the possession of nuclear weapons, long dismissed by national security officials, has prompted The New York Times to review the significance of the fatwa for the first time in several years. Senior Obama administration … Continue reading “Report on Iran’s Nuclear Fatwa Distorts Its History”

US-Israel Deal to Demand Qom Closure Threatens Nuclear Talks

The Barack Obama administration has adopted a demand in the negotiations with Iran beginning Saturday that its Fordow enrichment facility must be shut down and eventually dismantled based on an understanding with Israel that risks the collapse of the negotiations. It is unclear, however, whether the administration intends to press that demand regardless of Iran’s … Continue reading “US-Israel Deal to Demand Qom Closure Threatens Nuclear Talks”

Israeli Experts Mum on Iran Attack to Support Bibi’s Bluff

TEL AVIV — A striking feature of the Israeli political landscape in recent months has been the absence of a serious debate among national security figures on the issue of the threat of war with Iran. It is well-known that many prominent former military and intelligence officials believe an attack on Iran would be disastrous … Continue reading “Israeli Experts Mum on Iran Attack to Support Bibi’s Bluff”

Israel Shields Public from Risks of War with Iran

The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been telling Israelis that Israel can attack Iran with minimal civilian Israeli casualties as a result of retaliation, and that reassuring message appears to have headed off any widespread Israeli fear of war with Iran and other adversaries. But the message that Iran is too weak to … Continue reading “Israel Shields Public from Risks of War with Iran”

Details of Talks with IAEA Belie Charge Iran Refused Cooperation

VIENNA — The first detailed account of negotiations between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran last month belies earlier statements by unnamed Western officials portraying Iran as refusing to cooperate with the IAEA in allaying concerns about alleged nuclear weaponization work. The detailed account given by Iran’s permanent representative to the IAEA, Ali Asghar … Continue reading “Details of Talks with IAEA Belie Charge Iran Refused Cooperation”

Photos of ‘Cleanup’ at Iran’s Parchin Site Lack Credibility

News stories about satellite photographs suggesting efforts by Iran to “sanitize” a military site that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said may have been used to test nuclear weapons have added yet another layer to widely held suspicion that Iran must indeed be hiding a covert nuclear weapons program. But the story is … Continue reading “Photos of ‘Cleanup’ at Iran’s Parchin Site Lack Credibility”