Seymour Hersh on the Arab Spring, "Disaster" US Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. Part 1 of 2

DemocracyNow.org -
Democracy Now! asks veteran investigative reporter Seymour Hersh to assess the popular uprisings sweeping the Middle East and North Africa amidst ongoing U.S. wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. Despite touted gains and an upcoming U.S. military withdrawal deadline in Iraq, Hersh says: "Whatever you're hearing, Iraq is going bad ... It's sectarian war, and the big question will be whether we pull out or not." On the uprisings, Hersh says Saudi Arabia—fearing an overthrow of the regional order—is driving the embattled regimes' attempts to crush the protests.

For the transcript, podcast, and the extended interview with Seymour Hersh, visit :list today's date URL

Democracy Now! News Archive With Reports on Popular Uprisings Across Middle East and North Africa: http://www.democracynow.org/tags/rolling_rebellions

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• amy goodman
• juan gonzales

[gim10003]

The threat posed by Iran having nuclear weapons is not limited to whether they would actually use them. Its sounds counterintuitive, but its not. If Iran gets the bomb, it can intimidate (1) its Sunni neighbors, who will rush to get their own nuclear weapons (just like Pakistan did after India got nukes); (2) the whole world by threatening to stem the flow of oil (the world economy's life blood) out of the Gulf; and (3) Israel, directly and through proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.

[starmanskye]

I'd like to think its REALLY not that complicated. 4.99999 Billion people should be able to join forces and realize they have MUCH more in common than not, have vital common interests, agree to have mutual respect & regard for shared humanity, organize together against the 100,000 most venal, selfish fat-cat Robber-Baron warmonger elites, killers & thieves who have plundered, oppressed, waged violence & betrayed the majority. Eliminate top psychopath money-grubbers & military/religious zealots.

[starmanskye]

@lifeovdeath -- Uh, NO -- Iraq USED to be a democracy, before US backed a coup that deposed its elected President because he was going to Nationalize the oil Industry and share the natural wealth with the People who collectively own it. The US backed Saddam Hussein's play, supported and coddled him for 30+ years as 'their' strongman in the ME as a counterweight-foil to play the region's US puppet-despots against. US-supported Warlords & political pawns are NOT democracy. Ask Iraqis, its a farce.

[4Akuma]

3:19 Morocco didnt join the GCC get your facts right

[israelthreatingworld]

hes stupid on some points, like that terrorism will end due arab springs, terrorism is alive due israeli policy, and US led wars.

[australiap]

mr SEYMOUR HERSH you said everything right but , where is GULF? its persian gulf at least say the name right when you are talking about it ;) tnx

[australiap]

well done SEYMOUR HERSH well done, iran is not the problem

[lifeovdeath]

Give me a break z3usamm0n, do you really for that propaganda? The Shias have been abused for the passed 1000 years, so why are you so against majority being in government, it seems like you have been brainwashed by your media, Persian empire? Please stop trolling before you embarrass yourself any further. Whether you like it or not, there's democracy in Iraq, and Shias make up over 70% in Iraq and Bahrain. It seems like Iran has become a scapegoat for all your problems.

[z3usamm0n]

well, with full respect for Seymour Hersh , he lives away like 10000 or more and he is talking about Saudi Arabia like he lives there ! alright , but if he is talking about issues in Saudi he should come and see ! Shia'a in the Eastside of Saudi in Alqateef and there places , they have many benefits that I dream about them as Sunni ! the real issue is Shia'a dream which is the Persian impire that includes Saudi Arabia also State of Israil ! so really you are odd and off the topic !

[z3usamm0n]

well, with full respect for Seymour Hersh , he lives away like 10000 or more and you are talking about Saudi Arabia like he lives there ! alright , but if you are talking about issues in Saudi you should come and see ! Shia'a in the Eastside of Saudi in Alqateef and there places , they have many benefits that I dream about it as Sunni ! the real issue is Shia'a dream which is the Persian impire that includes Saudi Arabia also State of Israil ! so really you are odd and off the topic !