Stratfor has just published a shot review of the allegations. It concluded with the following words:
Iran has been known to carry out preoperational surveillance in the United States, but it has not yet used this intelligence to carry out a high-profile attack. It seems unusual that the Iranians would approach a Mexican cartel to carry out the assassination when the Iranians probably have the capability themselves. However, it could be that Arbabsiar and Shakuri were acting on their own, or that something unusual is going on within the Iranian government. Regardless, because Arbabsiar’s contact in Mexico was a DEA undercover source posing as a member of a Mexican cartel, at this point the cartels have not been directly linked to the plot.
It is unclear what the Iranians would have to gain by killing the Saudi ambassador to the United States, and the implications of the plot’s being linked back to Iran are huge. That makes the links back to Iran, which so far are only based on Arbabsiar’s alleged confession, seem exaggerated.
Coming from this normally rabidly pro-Israeli and GWOT-supporting “think tank” this is quite an expression of disbelief.
Amazing, Uncle Shmuel’s lies are even hard to swallow for Stratfor….
At least this plot was uncovered at a very opportune time. VP Biden will be meeting with major campaign contributors in South Florida on Firay.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/miamicbs4-15750840/vp-biden-in-south-florida-friday-26714903.html
A lot of these contributors are focused on the perceived threat coming from Iran. My guess is that once Biden collects his donations, this whole thing will quietly blow over in a few months when it is discovered that the testimony the FBI has is bogus.
Stratfor’s George Friedman isn’t the only one. Read this rocket by Prof. Stephen Walt:
http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/10/13/something_just_doesnt_add_up
Walt is even more scornful and scathing than you are.