OpinionJournal: James Schlesinger: Stupid Intelligence on Iran

OpinionJournal: James Schlesinger: Stupid Intelligence on Iran

James Schlesinger, former head of the U. S. Atomic Energy and the CIA, Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Energy, who served under Nixon, Ford, and Carter, critiques the National Intelligence Estimate's report on Iran's nuclear program. The fact that Iran has halted clandestine work directly related to weapons production doesn't mean they've halted open work on uranium enrichment which would ultimately enable weapons production. "In brief, since the 'long pole in the tent' remains the production of fissile material, Iran likely decided that the prudent course of action was to pursue an open enrichment program ostensibly to produce fuel for nuclear reactors. It is a course that had been chartered by North Korea--and arguably was legitimate under the Nonproliferation Treaty. This central path to obtaining fissile material--the focus of international concern--has been treated in the NIE as quite distinct from the 'nuclear weapons program.' Still, the achievements of American arms and American policy during that period were undoubtedly noted in Tehran. Why not mention them in the NIE as possibly influencing Tehran's decision in 2003? "