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Iran Flip Shows US Intelligence Turnaround

Tougher procedures born of Iraq failure result in nuke reversal

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 5, 2007 11:43 AM CST

(Newser) – In reversing its 2005 finding that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons, the US intelligence community is putting into practice changes adopted after crucial failures in the run-up to the Iraq war. The original used weak sourcing and less than rigorous fact-gathering, critics say. “I think people should take comfort from the fact that they’ve changed their view," a former CIA official tells the New York Times.

Both the US and Iran, meanwhile, kept up the rhetoric today, with Bush warning that Tehran must fully disclose all of its nuclear work prior to 2003 or face further international isolation. "The choice is up to the Iranian regime," Bush said. Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, meanwhile, hailed the report as a victory against America and Western powers.

National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley addresses the media on the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate on the Nuclear program of Iran, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley addresses the media on the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate on the Nuclear program of Iran, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the White House in Washington....   (Associated Press)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley addresses the media on the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate on the Nuclear program of Iran, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley addresses the media on the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate on the Nuclear program of Iran, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at the White House in Washington....   (Associated Press)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gestures as he greets supporters in Ilam province, western Iran, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007. A new U.S. intelligence review concluding Iran stopped developing an atomic weapons program in 2003 is a declaration of victory for Iran's nuclear program, Ahmadinejad said Wednesday. (AP Photo/Mehdi Ghasemi)
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gestures as he greets supporters in Ilam province, western Iran, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007. A new U.S. intelligence review concluding Iran stopped developing an atomic weapons...   (Associated Press)
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Ahmadinejad declares victory
Reuters

Estimate doesn't change US strategy
USA Today

Friedman: Intercepting Iran's take
New York Times

Dem candidates rip Iran policy
Los Angeles Times

US

 
Iran • CIA • intelligence • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad • Iraq war

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