The Bush administration has been looking into providing covert funding for opponents of Iran's government. The Los Angeles Times said Friday the installation of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state has administration officials expecting a more aggressive approach to Iran than had been the case under the more-moderate Colin Powell. President Bush said in his State of the Union speech the United States would stand behind opponents of the Tehran regime, and the Times says the administration is now looking into how to put a $3 million fund to use supporting such opposition without exposing them to arrest. Some officials told the newspaper there are roadblocks to overcome, specifically most of the State Department leftovers poor intelligence from inside Iran and a lack so far of a clear stated policy goal from the White House. I think the policy is pretty clear myself. | Another potential problem could be Washington's public support for a negotiated deal aimed at halting Iran's nuclear program. Not when anybody with common sense believes that the EU negotiated deal isn't going to amount to anything. Plus the nuclear issue is only one part of the problem, there is still Iran's sponsoring of terror groups. |
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