Sy Hersh: Biden ordered German pipeline sabotage

[Richard Smith]

Are you saying that the Russians could pull this operation off right under the noses of the US intelligence and NATO

Well, somebody was able to pull it off.

Wow.  Such a valuable contribution.  Maybe it was Dr. Evil and mini-me?   You do raise one point.  The best argument against it being Ukraine Joe being behind this is that it actually got blown up.  If bungling Joe and his cast of clowns tried to pull it off, they likely would have blown up their own ships.  Biden and his leftist propagandists are adept at half truths.  Which means the US likely didn't actually push the button.  They only facilitated the whole effort, and some NATO country denoted the explosion.  So Biden can say that he didn't do it.  And when the truth comes out years from now, his apologists will say that he never claimed Russia blew up its own pipeline etc.  Alice-in-Wonderland logic.   Round and round it goes.

[Joe Elliott]

There are always Russian ships in that area.  That would be like noting that there were American ships near Hawaii.

Yes. But always ships that carry a mini submarine that is perfect for the job?

And, of course, the best evidence is that the Nazis didn't burn down the Reichstag.  They only took advantage of the act of a Commie arsonist (we have similar acts in the US where leftist radicals try to burn down public buildings).

Yes. But the larger point is that it's not impossible for a state to 'attack' itself. In 1939, Germany launched a fake 'attack' against a German radio station, staging it to look like a Polish attack across the border, to justify Germany's invasion of Poland. Sometimes states can 'attack' themselves.

Wouldn't it be simpler for Russia to just shut off the gas flow? Yes. But blowing it up serves two purposes.

1. Shuts of Germany from the gas flow.

2. Shows Germany that Russia is capable of anything. Watch out. Think extra carefully about sending military aid to Ukraine.

Are you saying that the Russians could pull this operation off right under the noses of the US intelligence and NATO and they don't have proof with all their intelligence capabilities?  And unlike your Reichstag example, the Russians have never used the pipeline attack as a pretext for taking any retaliatory act.  It was Old Joe Biden who promised to "end" the pipeline if the Russians invaded Ukraine.

Are you saying it's possible for the U. S. to pull this operation right under the noses of Russian intelligence, even with Russian ships in the area?

Obviously someone did pull this off under the noses of either the U. S. or Russia. Or Both. And it's not like this is impossible. It's not like the United States, or Russia, is constantly observing and recording every meter of the pipeline. It is certainly possible for Russia to do this. And very suspicious that they not only have Russian ships in the area, but the precise type of Russian ship that carries a mini submarine which is perfect for the operation.

Why Russia would not be considered the leading candidate in blowing up the pipeline is beyond me.

[Richard Smith]

Yes. But always ships that carry a mini submarine that is perfect for the job?

Yes. But the larger point is that it's not impossible for a state to 'attack' itself. In 1939, Germany launched a fake 'attack' against a German radio station, staging it to look like a Polish attack across the border, to justify Germany's invasion of Poland. Sometimes states can 'attack' themselves.

Wouldn't it be simpler for Russia to just shut off the gas flow? Yes. But blowing it up serves two purposes.

1. Shuts of Germany from the gas flow.

2. Shows Germany that Russia is capable of anything. Watch out. Think extra carefully about sending military aid to Ukraine.

Are you saying it's possible for the U. S. to pull this operation right under the noses of Russian intelligence, even with Russian ships in the area?

Obviously someone did pull this off under the noses of either the U. S. or Russia. Or Both. And it's not like this is impossible. It's not like the United States, or Russia, is constantly observing and recording every meter of the pipeline. It is certainly possible for Russia to do this. And very suspicious that they not only have Russian ships in the area, but the precise type of Russian ship that carries a mini submarine which is perfect for the operation.

Why Russia would not be considered the leading candidate in blowing up the pipeline is beyond me.

The German example you cite was to create a provocation for an invasion.  The Germans created false reasons for an invasion.  That makes no sense in this context since the Russians had already invaded Ukraine.  The pipeline was destroyed AFTER the invasion.  Russia never suggested or used the pipeline incident as a justification for invading Ukraine or any other purpose.  In contrast, Joe Biden said before the invasion that if Russia invaded Ukraine, he would END this particular pipeline.  Russia invaded Ukraine and the pipeline was blown up.   This scenario fits perfectly with NATO, led by the US, destroying the pipeline in retaliation of the Russian invasion.  Either the British or Poles taking the lead. 

[Jon Banks]

Obviously someone did pull this off under the noses of either the U. S. or Russia. Or Both. And it's not like this is impossible. It's not like the United States, or Russia, is constantly observing and recording every meter of the pipeline. It is certainly possible for Russia to do this. And very suspicious that they not only have Russian ships in the area, but the precise type of Russian ship that carries a mini submarine which is perfect for the operation.

FWIW, it wouldn't be the first time the US sabotaged a Russian pipeline:

"In January 1982, President Ronald Reagan approved a CIA plan to sabotage the economy of the Soviet Union through covert transfers of technology that contained hidden malfunctions, including software that later triggered a huge explosion in a Siberian natural gas pipeline, according to a new memoir by a Reagan White House official.

Thomas C. Reed, a former Air Force secretary who was serving in the National Security Council at the time, describes the episode in "At the Abyss: An Insider's History of the Cold War," to be published next month by Ballantine Books. Reed writes that the pipeline explosion was just one example of "cold-eyed economic warfare" against the Soviet Union that the CIA carried out under Director William J. Casey during the final years of the Cold War.

At the time, the United States was attempting to block Western Europe from importing Soviet natural gas. There were also signs that the Soviets were trying to steal a wide variety of Western technology. Then, a KGB insider revealed the specific shopping list and the CIA slipped the flawed software to the Soviets in a way they would not detect it."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2004/02/27/reagan-approved-plan-to-sabotage-soviets/a9184eff-47fd-402e-beb2-63970851e130/


As I noted earlier, the US foreign policy establishment has long opposed the Germany-Russia pipelines. Seems like too much of a coincidence that the pipeline sabotage works out in favor of our policy goals.


January 2023 - 1st Tanker Carrying LNG From US Arrives in Germany

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2023-01-03/1st-tanker-carrying-lng-from-us-arrives-in-germany

Why Russia would not be considered the leading candidate in blowing up the pipeline is beyond me.

You'll have to ask Western intelligence agencies why. Surely they would love to blame Russia but the evidence appears to be lacking.


No conclusive evidence Russia is behind Nord Stream attack

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/21/russia-nord-stream-explosions/

Intelligence officials suspect Ukraine partisans behind Nord Stream bombings

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/03/07/intelligence-officials-suspect-ukraine-partisans-behind-nord-stream-bombings-rattling-kyivs-allies/

[Martin Weidmann]

Are you saying that the Russians could pull this operation off right under the noses of the US intelligence and NATO

Well, somebody was able to pull it off.

Wow.  Such a valuable contribution.  Maybe it was Dr. Evil and mini-me?   You do raise one point.  The best argument against it being Ukraine Joe being behind this is that it actually got blown up.  If bungling Joe and his cast of clowns tried to pull it off, they likely would have blown up their own ships.  Biden and his leftist propagandists are adept at half truths.  Which means the US likely didn't actually push the button.  They only facilitated the whole effort, and some NATO country denoted the explosion.  So Biden can say that he didn't do it.  And when the truth comes out years from now, his apologists will say that he never claimed Russia blew up its own pipeline etc.  Alice-in-Wonderland logic.   Round and round it goes.

Wow.  Such a valuable contribution. 

Yes indeed, because it showed just how silly your question really was.

[Richard Smith]

Wow.  Such a valuable contribution. 

Yes indeed, because it showed just how silly your question really was.

Another valuable contribution from "Europe."  Much like the contribution from "Europe" to Ukraine.

[Martin Weidmann]

Another valuable contribution from "Europe."  Much like the contribution from "Europe" to Ukraine.

Another valuable contribution from "Europe."

Do you think Europe doesn't exist, or what?

Much like the contribution from "Europe" to Ukraine.

Did you hear? Leopard 2 tanks (the most advance weapon system in that field in the world) was delivered to Ukraine by several European countries, free of charge.

When was the first US tank delivered?

[Richard Smith]

Another valuable contribution from "Europe."

Do you think Europe doesn't exist, or what?

Much like the contribution from "Europe" to Ukraine.

Did you hear? Leopard 2 tanks (the most advance weapon system in that field in the world) was delivered to Ukraine by several European countries, free of charge.

When was the first US tank delivered?

The US had to force Germany to hand over a few tanks.  Big deal.  Isn't this war to save "Europe", which includes Germany, from Putin?  If so, why don't they send all their tanks?  And France, Italy, and Poland as well.  Instead, they are laughing at Ukraine Joe for sending hundreds of billions that are being stolen or funneled to corrupt military contractors.  The US military just requested the highest budget in its history today!  What a coincidence.   They have an endless war and need trillions for the foreseeable future to fight it.  What a shocker.   We have never seen this game before like in places called Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.  Let the money flow.  It's all going well they tell us.  Just a few more years and a couple more trillion will get it done.