So I have some thoughts on this thread.
Especially relative to the seemingly contradictory Reuters report from Reuters this morning: reuters.com/article/us-ira…
Especially relative to the seemingly contradictory Reuters report from Reuters this morning: reuters.com/article/us-ira…
Reuters report has several specifics that suggest strong evidence of imminent and increased attacks on US, especially coupled with attacks we have witnessed over the last month + Soleimani's recent public threats + intel even acknowledged in RC's thread (seeking K's approval!).
So why the seeming contradiction and downplaying in Rukimi's thread?
IMO Rukimi to indisputably be one of the top ISIS reporters in the country. She has excellent sources focused on those efforts. In this particular, that also happens to create a set of biases that are in play.
IMO Rukimi to indisputably be one of the top ISIS reporters in the country. She has excellent sources focused on those efforts. In this particular, that also happens to create a set of biases that are in play.
Those focused on anti-ISIS efforts (inc in the U.S. intel community) tend to view Iran as a necessary evil in those efforts. They tend to downplay Iran's crimes because they don't want resources distracted from the focus on ISIS.
I think that is likely guiding their spin here.
I think that is likely guiding their spin here.
Analogy: It’s like if you asked a police unit exclusively focused on one gang about redeploying resources 2 focus on Gang 1's main rival. It's not that they are fans of the rival gang, but they are going to want to downplay rival’s threat bc they think focus should be on gang 1.
Also, this tweet does not help. It's mostly baseless speculation trying to inject politics. There are plenty of reasons for the timing based on the reports. QS just green-lit an attack on our embassy & was coming back to Iraq to dictate next steps.
As I said above, there is no disputing that Rukmini is one of the top reporters in the country covering the ISIS beat. Not sure there is anyone better so I would not simply dismiss anything she says, but I do think the context stated above needs to be considered here.
