FOLLOW THE LEADER
By Cori Dauber
For all their big talk, the truth of the matter is that study after study after study has demonstrated that -- over decades -- various and sundry issues and arguments don't enter the media's radar until someone "official" talks about them. (What really generated critical coverage of Vietnam? Leading Congressional Democrats broke rank, which allowed the press to "cover the debate.")
Now, for quite some time there has been evidence of Iranian interference in Iraqi affairs. Iranian cash found in weapons caches. Persian speaking prisoners. Etc, etc, etc. Mention of this has been made in media coverage, even in the New York Times, but there hasn't seemed to be any interest at all in pursuing the question.
But today, because administration officials are talking about the Iranian presence, the Times has a stand alone piece focusing on it.
Of particular interest is this graf:
"Bush administration officials, in addition to their charge that Iran is supporting the insurgency, described new concerns that Iran is financing medical clinics, hospitals and social welfare centers in Iraq, especially in areas where the interim government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and American forces are not in control.
"Now that these folks are starting to provide services that should be provided by the Iraqi government, their purpose is to provide a political base to extend Iran's influence in Iraq," one administration official said.
Such support is seen in Washington as akin to Iran's support for Hezbollah, the organization in Lebanon that runs social welfare centers and carries out attacks on Israel."
Listen, that's not an idle concern. Hezbollah moves in, sets up these apparently touchy-feely operations to deepen support for itself in the community, but that support always comes with a price. You know -- we've got great day care, and we'll be sure to entertain the kiddies by teaching them songs about glorious martyrdom coming from killing the Jews, that kind of thing.
The Times itself recently published a piece suggesting Iran's support for al-Sadr might be an attempt to set up a parallel to Hezbollah -- not just with social support, but with cells in place ready to activate at a moment's notice.
On the bright side, their previous coverage of Hizbollah and its role has been appallingly uninformed. This is without a doubt a step up. |
