Black Cube op targeting former Obama staffers was allegedly about business dispute bw 2 shipping companies – 1 of which Taiwanese – involving Iranian sanctions regime. Per Israel Ch2 news
— Neri Zilber (@NeriZilber) May 7, 2018
Yesterday, Israeli dirty-ops firm, Black Cube, denied outright that it was engaged by Trump administration officials to dig up dirt on Obama officials involved in negotiating the Iran nuclear deal. Today, the company changed its story: it appears it was engaged by a party to do work related to the Iran nuclear deal, but its clients were not Trump officials. Tomorrow, who knows what new story they’ll come up with?
There are several problems with the new version of events: why would a Taiwanese shipping company implicated in Iranian sanctions need to dig up dirt on two Obama national security staff members involved in negotiating the nuclear deal? Not to mention NIAC president, Trita Parsi (see below)? It just doesn’t make sense.
Then there is this related tweet posted by a competing Israeli TV news reporter:
Black cube was hired by shipping conglomerate trying to prove that Rhodes & Kahl were allegedly lobbying for a competing shipping company that was doing business with Iran violating international sanctions and discover any personal gains
— Omri Barak (@OmriBarak) May 7, 2018
This is even more laughable than the first tweet. Anyone who knows anything about the Obama administration knows that Rhodes and Kahl were national security wonks, not trade representatives. They didn’t lobby for anything or anyone. If they had, they’d be out of their jobs in a heartbeat. Once again, this is Black Cube taking us all to be fools. One thing is clear: any Israeli reporter who falls for this nonsense is truly a credulous fool.
Just for the hell of it, check out the accompanying screenshot of Trita’s series of tweets regarding his own strange interviews with a BC operative pretending to be a journalist.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump’s perpetual media punching bag, today didn’t come anywhere near denying administration involvement in this sordid affair. When a press officer says they’re “not aware” of something, it means it’s entirely possible the question is true; just that he or she doesn’t know, or want to know whether it is. It’s a whole lot different than “No.” It’s a whole lot closer to “maybe” or “let’s see what happens and if I have to change my story later, I will.” All of which means that it’s likely both Black Cube and Trump will be changing their stories as this case develops.
As I wrote yesterday, the key question now is who engaged BC. I suggested it could be Jared Kushner or Jason Greenblatt. But they don’t seem the types to engage in this sort of dirty work. It could be Michael Flynn, who was then still national security advisor. Though this is precisely the sort of dirt Michael Cohen did for Trump, he doesn’t seem to have the political chops to engage in this sort of work.
There is of course a delicious irony here: the whole purpose of hiring BC was to sabotage the Iran nuclear deal. If they could prove the principals involved in negotiating it had financial incentive or motives, it would strengthen the hand of those seeking its demise.
However, the opposite has turned out to be the case. Almost the entire world (including even a few Republicans!) are telling Trump to stay with the deal. And who is now on the defensive? All Trump’s horses and all Trump’s men, who may not be able to put Trump back together again after yet another fiasco.
It is Trump who is tarnished by this sordid caper. BC came up with nothing on Colin Kahl and Ben Rhodes. And the entire project has come back to bite them all in the ass. And when did the scandal revealed? Two days before Trump cancels the deal. I’d say one of Obama’s national security officials is getting his revenge. And sweet revenge it must be.
A further question is how and whether this may be used by the special counsel in his investigation and/or be used during an impeachment proceeding. I can imagine Mueller filing a subpoena for Black Cube’s files on this matter (if he doesn’t have them already). I can imagine its CEOs being forced to testify before a grand jury. How the mighty and the arrogant will be laid low…
Not since Nixon has a president outsourced such a delicate security matter to such a bunch of Keystone Kops. You remember what happened to him, don’t you? Any president who has to turn to such sleazy figures to pursue his national security policy should not be president. The question is how long it will take for enough Republican in Congress to recognize this.
‘However, the opposite has turned out to be the case. Almost the entire world (including even a few Republicans!) are telling Trump to stay with the deal. And who is now on the defensive? All Trump’s horses and all Trump’s men, who may not be able to put Trump back together again after yet another fiasco…’
Note that Trump’s poll numbers have been slowly but steadily improving — right through this train of successive fiascos. Make of that fact what you will — it remains a fact. He’s up about five points over where he was three months ago.
Otherwise, I seriously doubt much will come of this. The mainstream media always clams right up when Trump’s behavior involves Israel. They’ll hush up presently. Watch and see.
The unfortunate bit is that intentionally or no, the net effect is to push Trump to score his points by engaging in brinksmanship with Iran. If he goes here, the media lays off — but the Right will keep cheering. We’re going to war, guys — and it’ll be the one most inexcusable war in our history.
@ Colin: At this point I don’t think polling numbers down in the weeds isn’t what’s going to destroy Trump’s presidency. I think Mueller and whatever follow up happens in Congress will seal his fate. And I think polling numbers will have little to do with that. If Mueller comes up with an ironclad case and Democrats sweep both Houses, then Trump’s goose is cooked. That’s why I do think this is a potentially important development. If they can tie this sleazy enterprise to Trump or those very close to him, then it’s another nail in his coffin.
[comment deleted: comments must contain a substantive argument related directly to the post.]
@Colin
The Iranian economy is a disaster, and the last thing it needs is a war.
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/iran-protests-inflation-wages/2018/05/06/id/858692/
‘@Colin
The Iranian economy is a disaster, and the last thing it needs is a war.’
Perhaps. However, it’s not the Iranians who will decide whether there’ll be a war or not. This all has nothing to do with their desires — and remarkably little to do with their behavior.
@Colin
“However, it’s not the Iranians who will decide whether there’ll be a war or not. This all has nothing to do with their desires — and remarkably little to do with their behavior.”
Iran has entered into elective proxy wars in Yemen and Syria, and Iran has successfully concluded an elective proxy war in Iraq.
In February, Iran launched an armed Iranian war drone into Israel, that was shot down by an IAF helicopter. The drone attack was a casus belli, by most standards.
‘Butter wouldn’t melt…’.
So you’re saying Israeli drones constantly over Gaza (including of course many attacks and killings), and te violation of Lebanese airspace on an almost daily basis is a casus belli too, or does that only apply for Israel ?
I started typing that, and then I thought: Elena’s nonsense does not really deserve an answer.
‘Iran has entered into elective proxy wars in Yemen and Syria, and Iran has successfully concluded an elective proxy war in Iraq…’
Aside from everything else, I was not aware Israel was allied with Yemen, Syria, or Iraq — or is she now the regional hegemon?
‘In February, Iran launched an armed Iranian war drone into Israel, that was shot down by an IAF helicopter. The drone attack was a casus belli, by most standards.’
Uh huh. And all Israel has done is mount multiple airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria, conduct at least seven assassinations within Iran itself, and sponsor several terrorist bombings there to boot.
And Iran FLEW A DRONE into Israel? The outrage…you’re right. All must supinely grovel at the feet of master, whatever he does.
The irony of all this is that while ordinarily, one would agree that Iran should be kept from acquiring a nuclear weapon, it’s hard to deny that under the circumstances, she really does need some sort of effective deterrent.
“Aside from everything else, I was not aware Israel was allied with Yemen, Syria, or Iraq — or is she now the regional hegemon?”
Huh? Clumsy distraction?
“Uh huh. And all Israel has done is mount multiple airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria, conduct at least seven assassinations within Iran itself, and sponsor several terrorist bombings there to boot.”
Iran and Russia have defeated the Syrian rebels. Iran should be taking a victory lap and going back home, but she is not. Iran is building bases and digging in for a long term presence in Syria. Assad is so weak that he can’t even stop Iran throwing it’s weight around Syria.
And BTW, Richard likes cites. Please cite where Israel has sponsor terrorist bombings in Iran.
“And Iran FLEW A DRONE into Israel? The outrage…you’re right. All must supinely grovel at the feet of master, whatever he does.”
The Iranian master, the hegemon that stretches from Iran, through Iraq and Syria and Lebanon.
Look how Lebanon is grovelling before Iran. I recall an Iranian-Hezbollah sponsored terror bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Hirarri not so long ago.
“The irony of all this is that while ordinarily, one would agree that Iran should be kept from acquiring a nuclear weapon, it’s hard to deny that under the circumstances, she really does need some sort of effective deterrent.”
Poor, poor Iran.
She only has her proxy armies in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon.
Where is the Iranian steamroller going next? Saudi Arabia?
Probably not Israel. Israel seems to have phenomenal intelligence on Iran, and Israel the will to act on it, much to your chagrin.
@ Elena:
You have it ass-backwards as always. Assad is actually much stronger than he’s ever been (not that this is an outcome I relish). And Iran’s presence only makes him stronger. You think Assad wants Iran to leave Syria? So that Israel and his enemies can once again close in for the kill? You don’t understand many things, among them what’s going on in Syria.
You get this week’s “Pro-Israel Purple Prose Award” for most overstated, overblown anti-Iran rhetoric. You may be able to blow that smoke up the asses of people at Debka Files or Newsmax, but it won’t fly here.
This is an absolutely false statement. THe assassination in question was likely perpetrated by Hezbollah and Assad. NO ONE has accused Iran of involvement…till you did. I view such lies very, very harshly. Watch your step. No lies, no unsupported statements from you in future. Try this again and you’ll be out on yer ear.
Poor, poor Israel: she only has had her proxy armies in Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank.
If Bibi’s dog & pony show is any measure of Israel’s ‘crackerjack’ intelligence on Iran, “phenomenal” is vastly overstated. I’d also say that given that Iran appears to have turned a senior Mossad official, it may be Iran that has the phenomenal intelligence on Israel.
Read the comment rules. Respect them. If not, your stay with us may be short.
@ Elena: “Elective proxy wars?” I don’t even know what that means. But if you want to use those terms, the U.S., Israel and Saudi Arabia have engaged in their own elective proxy wars. What’s good for these three geese should be good for the Iranian gander, no? And their proxy wars have killed far more than any fighting in which Iran has engaged.
A drone flight (it was a ‘flight’ and not an ‘attack’ as nothing was attacked) is a casus belli? Where did you learn that? At the Fletcher School of International Relations? Where you earned your advanced degree in the field of international law? No? I didn’t think so. When you want to give us lessons on the subject take a deep breath and desist. You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.
By your standards, Iran should have the right to declare war on the U.S. because we flew a drone into Iranian airspace, which the Iranians captured. But they didn’t, did they? I guess they didn’t find it a casus belli. Hmmm….
Elena, Elena we’re an evidence-based website. Newsmax? Really? As a credible source? I think not…
[comment deleted: comments must contain a substantive argument along with supporting evidence related directly to the post.]
Wall Street Journal, not Newsmax. Wall Street Journal.
@ Elena: You linked to Newsmax, not WSJ. You read the article on the Newsmax site. You clearly read and support that garbage site. The article was chosen by Newsmax because it matched the anti-Iran propaganda favored by Newsmax. I attach no credibility to you or anything from Newsmax, whatever the original source may be.
After reading the big Michael Cohen article in the NYTimes this weekend ( don’t test me) I have hit overload, if it had not before.I would rather learn the characters in a Dostoevsky novel. But this is us now. So I m looking for bottom lines these days in what comes “across the transom” as Alan Simpson was fond of saying. What with reading this now, I am thinking this whole enterprise: the Trump (dis)organization, is about gangsterism, the mob, Keystone cops version as Richard says. We are being taken over by it’s entertainment factor, the current opiate of ( enough of) the masses with all of us hanging on the repercussions.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
‘At least nine pro-government fighters were killed Tuesday in an Israeli missile strike near Damascus, a monitor said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and other Iranian-backed combattants were killed in the strike on the district of Kissweh, south of the capital…’
There are those who would say Iran already is under attack — it’s just a matter of whether she chooses to begin defending herself.
…and Israel’s almost visibly licking her chops.
‘Syria Blames Israel for Strike Near Damascus; Target Was Iranian Missiles Aimed at Israel
Israel opens shelters, braces for imminent Iranian attack ■ Syria TV: Air defenses down Israeli missiles ■ Israel military calls up some reserves’
‘Honey, can’t you at least wait until we’ve gotten upstairs?’
They ARE being a little obvious. We prefer some decorum about these things. Bait…wait…act the outraged innocent… come on.
‘The Iranian master, the hegemon that stretches from Iran, through Iraq and Syria and Lebanon…’
Lol. Sometimes hasbara gets so silly it ceases to enrage and only entertains.
Let’s review. Iran is a state that in eight years, by dint of a heroic national effort, managed to fight Iraq to a bloody draw. We defeated Iraq in 72 hours or something ridiculous.
Iran is not a ‘hegemon.’ This stuff is akin to Nazi fantasies of a Jewish Plutocratic-Bolshevik conspiracy. It simply loses all rational contact with reality.
‘Poor, poor Israel: she only has had her proxy armies in Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank.’
You’re too modest. Surely our troops in Iraq would have constituted an Israeli ‘proxy army.’
Our soon-to-be troops in Iran will be an Israeli proxy army as well. After all, you don’t think Israel is going to fight that war on her own, do you?
‘…the Iranian steamroller…’
I missed that one. Good for a chuckle.
You are aware that historically, ‘the Iranian steamroller,’ when unleashed against the awesome Iraqi army, barely managed to make it across the Shatt al-Arab?
…that, of course, was as the result of a convulsive national effort and at an enormous cost in human life.
Jared Kushner doesn’t seem like the type to hire BC? Are you a comedy writer?
@ blender: you don’t seem like the type to know your ass from your elbow. How do you know Jared so well? Oh that’s right, you don’t. So stop blowin’ smoke up everyone’s posterior.
Keep up the deception buddy. Who hired you, Black Cube?
@blind blender: No one hired me. But we all know who hired you…
You are now moderated. Any further attempts at snark will get your ass banned. In case you ever want to comment here again read the friggin’ comment rules.