Shocker: Obama Replaces Head of State Department Iran Desk with "De Facto Lobbyist" and Apologist for the Regime

He's been serving his Iranian masters for years. I don't imagine his new gig will do much to change that.

John Limbert will be the senior Iran official at the State Department, replacing Dennis Ross, who has moved to the National Security Council (and who has not been heard from publicly since). Should America be concerned? Yes. Limbert is not a neutral arbiter; he serves on the advisory board of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC).

What is the National Iranian American Council?

The Council is widely considered the de facto lobby for the Iranian regime in America. It opposes sanctions on Iran, soft-pedals any controversial events in Iran, and counsels "patience" regarding Iran's stance towards its nuclear program. The NIAC has been at the forefront of lobbying against continued congressional funding of the Voice of America Persia service, Radio Farad, and grants for Iranian civil society. To top it off, the NIAC has reportedly received funding from anti-Israel advocate George Soros, who at the very least was an honored guest and speaker at one of its symposiums. (He called for a more equitable Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and advocated for America to renounce regime-change as a goal).

The NIAC staunchly opposes any military attacks on Iran. In other words, it all but serves as Iran's embassy in Washington -- though the NIAC vociferously disputes this characterization. However, there is very little sunlight between the views of the regime and the NIAC.

There's more. The head of the NIAC, in his spare time, writes absurd books blaming all of Iran's woes on (wait for it...!) Israel and "the neo-cons." NIAC board members also contribute to "J-Street," the odious anti-semitic lobby fronted by left-wing self-hating Jews.

Thanks to CPT. Charles.

posted by Ace at 01:33 PM

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