Malware hits industrial equipment

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by tw

From the NY Times of 25 Sept 2010:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

The thing that got me was other countries found it easy to remove with commercially available anti-virus programs. Does the UN embargo on Iran include Norton?

A surgical strike of this nature can have reconnaissance value in that previously unknown facilities of interest may be revealed through monitoring of internal message traffic about the strike's impact. Disruption may simply be a cover for this activity, especially since it is readily recoverable.

[tw]

Originally Posted by sexobon

A surgical strike of this nature can have reconnaissance value in that previously unknown facilities of interest may be revealed through monitoring of internal message traffic about the strike's impact.

Surgical? Are you a disciple of pathetic myths constantly promoted by Air Force Generals?

We have two choices. First, negotiation now made so much more effective since America has restored relations with Russia, Turkey, some Caspian Sea nations, and other 'much more at risk' nations. That also means we have intelligence and covert options due to cooperation both inside and surrounding Iran.

Second, or we could attack. Since the number of sites are hundreds, many in virtually bomb proof locations, and maybe half remain secret, well, what are you going to bomb? An attack means troops on the ground. There is no other military option. That means virtually all intelligence and covert options are lost. A failed attack means things are far worse AND that America has no more options. That means American integrity - one of our greatest assets in the region - is lost. There is no military option without ground troops. In poker, it is called "all in".

You have listened to Turkey's Gul or Russian foreign diplomats discussing this problem? Now that Obama has restored relations with Russia, then Russia even canceled their air defense sale to Iran. And is rumored to have restored intelligence exchanges with America.

More important is Iran's problem getting materials and machines necessary to make parts to tolerances required to enrich uranium. And other problems implied by the above malware rumors.

How did we discover Qom? American intelligence was routinely reading e-mail from their scientists. These made possible because countries actually at risk (Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Russia, etc) are even more concerned. Why are they not complaining that America are not doing enough? Because we have little idea how successful the US government has been. Because countries at risk are in agreement with what the Obama administration has been doing.

Israel is a wild card due to a government (Likud) that is so extremist. Israeli actions could only make things worse unless their actions are done with the cooperation of Iranian neighbors and without American cooperation. Even the Israelis know they must also put troops (special forces) on the ground if using the military option.

Anyone promoting an American military option is their own fool. Not to be confused with something completely different - what in poker is called a "bluff". But again, that is why the only viable solution is found in negotiation (and covert operations made possible only if doing negotiation).