Media Pushes Narrative That Arabs Want War With Iran, Ignores Cables That Show Arabs Urging Restraint #p2 #tcot #gop

Over the weekend, the whistleblower website WikiLeaks began leaking hundreds of diplomatic cables sent by U.S. embassies and diplomatic staff across the world. The cables contain all sorts of information, from gossip from embassy staff poking fun at world leaders to details of high-level meetings between world leaders and American legislators.

However, one set of cables that the major news media found particularly attractive were ones detailing Arab leaders' concerns about Iran. Seizing on a handful of the cables, major news media outlets published stories pushing the narrative that Arab leaders had privately urged the United States government to attack Iran:

- "Around the World, Distress Over Iran" [NY Times, 11/28/10]

- "Arab leaders urged US to attack Iran, says WikiLeaks" [Irish Times, 11/29/10]

- "Cablegate: Arab Leaders Pressuring US to Attack Iran" [PBS, 11/29/10]

- "Netanyahu Says WikiLeaks Cables Show Arab States Share Israeli Concerns About Iran's Nuclear Program" [Washington Post, 11/29/10]

- Iran 'Must Be Stopped': Arab Leaders Implored U.S. To Attack, WikiLeaks Disclosures Show" [Los Angeles Times, 11/29/10]

- "Cables Show Arab Leaders Fear a Nuclear Iran" [Der Spiegel, 12/01/10]

rest at http://thinkprogress.org/2010/12/01/media-iran-ignoring-warning/