The U.S. plan to counter Iran

The Boston Globe reports that a group of US officials known as the Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group, or ISOG, is "quietly coordinating actions to counter the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran."

According to the Globe, the group is working with Gulf allies such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, to help strengthen their military capabilities, and is also offering covert assistance to dissidents to foment regime change inside Iraq, as well as building a case against Iran internationally by publicizing its alleged role in terrorist attacks such as the 1994 bombing of a Jewish cultural center in Argentina.

"There is the perception in the Gulf that Iran is really on the rise," Emile El-Hokayem, a research fellow at the DC-based Stimpson Center, told the Globe.

According to the Globe:

"ISOG is led by a steering committee with two leading hawks on Middle East policy as chairmen: James F. Jeffrey, prinicipal deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs, who once headed Iraq policy, and Elliott Abrams, deputy national security adviser for "Global Democracy Strategy." Michael Doran, a Middle East specialist at the White House, steps in when Abrams is away."

Five sub-groups work on what should be appropriate military responses, democracy outreach in side Iran, cutting off its funds for illicit activities, investigating Iran's efforts to destabalize the region, including Iran's sponsorship of terrorist organizations and a media campaign.

The military arm of the group is spearheaded by John Hillen, assistant secretary of state for political and military affairs.

The "democracy outreach" is reportedly providing secret financial assistance to dissidents and reformist organizations inside Iran and Syria and is trying to "use scientific exchanges and human rights conferences to learn more about what is happening inside Iran," according to the Globe report.