The Yinon-Clean Break-PNAC-Iraq Chain

THE DOCUMENTED CHAIN:

1. YINON PLAN (1982): Oded Yinon advocates for the fragmentation of Arab countries for the security of Israel. Opinion article but reflecting a real strategic tendency.

2. CLEAN BREAK (1996): Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and David Wurmser draft for Netanyahu a plan recommending the abandonment of Oslo, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, and confrontation with Syria.

3. PNAC (1997-2009): Kristol and Kagan found the neoconservative think tank. Document ‘Rebuilding America’s Defenses’ (2000): 'absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event -- like a new Pearl Harbor.’ Letter to Clinton (1998) demanding the overthrow of Saddam.

4. BUSH ADMINISTRATION (2001-2009): The SAME individuals seize power. Wolfowitz proposes Iraq as early as September 15, 2001. Feith creates the Office of Special Plans. Justifications (WMD) are fabricated.

5. IRAQ WAR (2003): Invasion. No WMDs found. Iraq fragments into confessional entities (as Yinon advocated in 1982).

OVERLAPPING PERSONNEL:

• Richard Perle: author Clean Break (1996), PNAC signatory, president Defense Policy Board (2001-2003)
• Douglas Feith: co-author Clean Break, Under Secretary of Defense (2001-2005), creator of the OSP
• David Wurmser: co-author Clean Break, advisor to Cheney for the Middle East
• Paul Wolfowitz: PNAC signatory, Under Secretary of Defense (2001-2005)
• Elliott Abrams: PNAC signatory, NSC (2001-2009), previously involved in Iran-Contra

CENTRAL QUESTION: Does this overlap prove that the Iraq War was waged for Israel? Or is it a convergence of interests between American hegemony and Israeli security? Mearsheimer and Walt argue that the pro-Israel lobby has been a determining factor. Chomsky argues that American interests (oil, hegemony) were predominant.