Published: February 10, 2012
Op-Ed Contributor
Iran's Nuclear Program Pose Huge Threat to Israel and United States
By Michael Cutler
It is well established that Iran is moving quickly to develop its nuclear program that its leaders claim is intended simply to generate electricity. It is clear that Iran's intentions are far more sinister- to develop nuclear weapons along with intercontinental missiles that could reach Israel, Europe and even the United States.
The threat to the United States and its citizens comes from the longstanding failures of the United States to secure its borders and having "leaders" such as Janet Napolitano, the Secretary of Homeland Security claiming that our borders have never been more secure!
The first step in problem solving is to acknowledge that there is a problem! Napolitano is the one person in the current administration that every employee of DHS answers to- this includes every Border Patrol agent, every CBP (Customs and Border Protection) inspector, every Special Agent of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), every adjudications officer of USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), every Secret Service Special Agent, Every employee of the TSA and many others!
The point to focus on is that not only our borders little more than speed bumps to alien and narcotics smugglers, there are unknown tens of millions of illegal aliens now living in virtually every city and town across this vast nation and there is absolutely no way of knowing anything about them, beginning with their true identities. This means that there is no way of knowing their backgrounds, potential affiliation with criminal or terrorist organizations or the motivations that propelled them across our nation's borders.
As you will see a bit later in this commentary, these threats have been well known to our government for many years, yet these threats are being ignored!
While the United States and other countries are attempting to block Iran's continuing efforts to accumulate enough nuclear material to construct atomic bombs by imposing economic sanctions on Iran, Israel appears to be poised to take a more direct approach and launch a military attack to prevent Iran from becoming a member of the so-called "Nuclear Club."
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president has made it crystal clear that he desires to obliterate Israel and the United States and consequently a nuclear Iran would pose a huge threat to both Israel and the United States.
If Israel was to launch a military attack against the Iranian nuclear program, this attack would not be without precedence. On September 6, 2007 the Israeli military destroyed a nuclear reactor in Syria and in 1981 Israel destroyed the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq shortly before it was to have begun operating.
Ahmadinejad has made it clear that any attack on its nuclear program would result in retaliation against the United States as well as Israel. This threat has to be taken seriously. A number of credible news organizations have been reporting on these issues and, in fact, on September 2, 2012 ABC News aired an investigative report in which Martha Raddatz was interviewed by George Stephanopoulos. The report about this situation was posted on the ABC News website with the ominous title:
"Exclusive: Israel Warns US Jews: Iran Could Strike Here"
Here is the link to that news report including a video of that interview:
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/israel-warns-us-jews-iran-strike/story?id=15506257&nwltr=blotter_featureHed
Here is an important excerpt from the written segment of the ABC News report:
"The thwarted assassination plot of a Saudi official in Washington, D.C., a couple of months ago was an important data point," added the official, "in that it showed at least parts of the Iranian establishment were aware of the intended event and were not concerned about inevitable collateral damage to U.S. citizens had they carried out an assassination plot on American soil."
What is significant is that one of the participants in this plot was identified as a member of the Qods, Iranian shock troops. As you will see shortly, the Pentagon now believes that there are, in fact an increasing number of such troops stationed in Venezuela.
One of the points made by Ms Raddatz in the video portion of the report, is the possibility that Iran might have "sleeper agents" already in place in the United States. The issue of sleeper agents has been discussed on a number of occasions including during a Congressional hearing in which Robert Mueller, the Director of the FBI warned about the potential for sleeper agents to enter the United States and embed themselves much the same way that the 19 terrorists who attacked our nation on September 11, 2001 did.
As you may know, I actually testified before a Congressional hearing for the very first time on May 20, 1997 about visa fraud and immigration benefit application fraud in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 1993 at the CIA and the World Trade Center. That hearing was conducted by the House Immigration Subcommittee as were at least a half dozen other hearings including the hearing conducted in March 2002:
"INS'S MARCH 2002 NOTIFICATION OF APPROVAL OF CHANGE OF STATUS FOR PILOT TRAINING FOR TERRORIST HIJACKERS MOHAMMED ATTA AND MARWAN AL-SHEHHI"
Here is the link to the transcript of the hearing in its entirety
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju78298.000/hju78298_0f.htm
Here is another hearing on an immigration issue at which I testified on the nexus between an aspect of immigration and terrorism. This hearing was conducted before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on International Relations on May 11, 2006 on the topic
VISA OVERSTAYS:
CAN WE BAR THE TERRORIST DOOR?
Here is the link to the transcript of this hearing:
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/intlrel/hfa27480.000/hfa27480_0f.htm
On July 27, 2006 I testified before the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims at a hearing that was entitled:
WHETHER THE ATTEMPTED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REID-KENNEDY IMMIGRATION BILL WILL RESULT IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL SECURITY NIGHTMARE
Here is a link to the transcript of that hearing, in its entirety:
http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju30548.000/hju30548_0f.htm
Here is a link to a video of a segment of my remarks at that hearing:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4127670560538123883&ei=FlKLSq-4LYLrlQentKnDCw&q=michael+cutle&hl=en&client=firefox-a
Clearly the issue of sleeper agents is not new, yet by not enforcing our nation's immigration laws and not securing our nation's borders, our government has, in my judgment, increased our nation's vulnerability exponentially and all the while we have been assured by both the Bush administration as well as the current administration that our borders are secure!
In addition to the potential that sleeper agents may already be present in the United States, additional enemy combatants are pre-positioned in Venezuela. In support of this disturbing statement I offer a link to a Washington Times news report that was published on April 21, 2010 that was entitled,
"Iran boosts Qods shock troops in Venezuela"
Here is a link to that report:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/apr/21/iran-boosts-qods-shock-troops-in-venezuela/
This news report was predicated on a Pentagon report to Congress on Iran's military. Here is an excerpt from the Washington Times Article that succinctly sums up the situation:
The report gives no details on the activities of the Iranians in Venezuela and Latin America. Iranian-backed terrorists have conducted few attacks in the region. However, U.S. intelligence officials say Qods operatives are developing networks of terrorists in the region who could be called to attack the United States in the event of a conflict over Iran's nuclear program.
What must be understood is that if Middle Eastern soldiers are able to spend a number of years in a country in Latin America, totally immersed in the language and the culture of Latin America, they could easily pass themselves off as being Latinos. Mohammed could easily be transformed to appear as Miguel.
Furthermore, there are terrorist training camps located in the Tri-Border Region where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay abut. These camps are reported to have terrorists who are members of Hezbollah and likely Hamas and an Al-Qaeda. Again, these individuals would likely assist with efforts against the United States should Iran launch attacks against the United States. All they would have to do is make their way across the Mexican border concealing their identities and intentions by posing as Latinos- a role that they could easily assume given their fluency in Spanish or Portuguese, if they were living in Brazil.
Incredibly, however, just over one week ago, President Obama called for expanding the Visa Waiver Program to include citizens of Brazil. An effectively administered visa process can provide a serious layer of protection for our nation but apparently even now, in this post 9/11 world, trade and commerce trump national security!
It has been said that an effective spy (or terrorist) is someone who would not attract the attention of a waiter or waitress at a "greasy spoon diner." In point of fact, a spy or terrorist might well be hiding in plain sight by working as a waiter or waitress. As I have noted on a number of occasions, the day before a terrorist participates in a terrorist attack he (she) is likely to go to his job where he may have been hiding in plain sight for months or even years. This is precisely how a sleeper operates.
I can tell you from firsthand experience based on my 30 years with the INS, effective enforcement of our nation's immigration laws can help secure our nation by adding randomness to our ability to uncover criminal or terrorist plans. Our immigration laws are intended to protect our nation from the threats posed by transnational criminals and terrorists- this is protection we can ill afford to do without in this particularly perilous era.
This all goes back to why our borders and immigration laws must be enforced to protect our nation and our citizens. I have often noted that immigration hammers every challenge and threat our nation and our citizen's face and in my judgment, this issue is persuasive and relevant. The only thing that would frighten someone more than the loss of his (her) job that the loss of his job is the loss of his life or the lives of family members!
This is why I often note that our borders and our immigration laws should properly been seen as a continuation of the valiant efforts of our men and women in the armed forces. That was why I wrote last year in a commentary for CAPS (Californians for Population Stabilization) about the issue of our military:
"Do We Still Need Our Armed Forces When We Don't Secure Our Own Borders?"
http://www.caps-blog.org/articles/2011/08/06/do-we-still-need-our-armed-forces-when-we-don%E2%80%99t-secure-our-own-borders/
A country without secure borders can no more stand than can a house without walls.
If our country is to survive and if our children and their children are to get their share of the "American Dream" the citizens of this nation must take their citizenship seriously!
We the People must be the best citizens we can be, citizens who are worthy of the gallantry demonstrated by our valiant men and women in the military, law enforcement and firefighters, who routinely go in harm's way in defense of this nation and our citizens.
My goal in writing this and other commentaries is to point out our nations many failings before more victims pay the ultimate price for the incompetence and ineptitude of our government.
The first step in problem-solving is to first identify the problems and vulnerabilities and then devise strategies to overcome them.
If you find yourself to be in agreement with this commentary, I ask that you forward it to as many of your friends and family members as possible and encourage them to do the same. We need to create a "Bucket Brigade of Truth!"
The practice of good citizenship does not end in the voting booth, it only begins there.
For far too long our citizens demonstrated apathy which emboldened elected representatives to all but ignore the needs of the average American citizen in a quest for massive campaign funds and the promises of votes to be ostensibly delivered by special interest groups.
It is therefore understandable that the politicians of both parties are greatly concerned about the demonstrations currently sweeping our nation just as did the creation of the Tea Party. Clearly more and more of our fellow Americans are demonstrating that they are not as dumb as the politicians from both parties had expected us to be!
I am encouraged that more and more of us, We the People, are not willing to simply sit on the sidelines anymore!
I believe our nation's is greatly benefited by the rich diversity of our people which is why I could never imagine living anywhere except New York City, arguably the most diverse city in our nation if not, in fact, the world. However, my idea of diversity most certainly does not include members of MS-13, the Mexican drug cartels or members of other transnational gangs or members of al-Qaeda!
I also believe that the original purpose of our nation's immigration laws need to be brought "front and center" to make certain that our nation does not permit the entry of aliens into our country whose presence in our country is problematic for the citizens of our nation and that if such aliens do succeed in entering our country that our nation have the resources, integrity and dedication to do everything possible to make it impossible for such aliens to function within our country so that even if they are not apprehended, they will find it pointless to remain in the United States.
As I have noted on a number of occasions, "No one would break into the amusement park if they could not get to go on the rides and no one remains in the amusement park at the end of the day when they turn shut down the rides and turn off the lights!"
If our government's failures to secure our nation's borders and effectively enforce our immigration laws concerns you or especially if it angers you, I ask you to call your Senators and Congressional "Representative. This is not only your right- it is your obligation!
All I ask is that you make it clear to our politicians that we are not as dumb as they hope we are!
We live in a perilous world and in a perilous era. The survival of our nation and the lives of our citizens hang in the balance.
This is neither a Conservative issue, nor is it a Liberal issue- simply stated, this is most certainly an AMERICAN issue!
You are either part of the solution or you are a part of the problem!
Democracy is not a spectator sport!
Lead, follow or get out of the way!
Please check out my website:
michaelcutler.netClick on the links below to RePatriot Radio and listen to the internet radio show I host on Friday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time:
Bordering on Insanity! Listen Live! www.repatriotradio.com or www.libertyandfreedomradio.net
Audience email questions/comments repatriotradio@comcast.net
Michael Cutler is an American Patriot concerned that elected representatives are serving themselves and not the people.
* The views of Opinion writers do not necessarily reflect the views of NewsBlaze