Fiasco: Iran-Contra – Episode 4: Diverted

Introduction

In Episode 4 of Fiasco, titled "Diverted," host Leon Nayfakh delves deep into the intricate web of the Iran-Contra Affair, a pivotal scandal that threatened to dismantle President Ronald Reagan's administration in the mid-1980s. This episode meticulously unpacks the covert operations, key players, and the consequential decisions that intertwined arms sales to Iran with funding the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Background

The Iran-Contra Affair emerged in the fall of 1986 when revelations surfaced about the Reagan administration's clandestine activities. Faced with the Boland Amendment, which restricted U.S. government support for the Contras in Nicaragua, the administration sought alternative methods to sustain the rebel movement. Concurrently, efforts to secure the release of American hostages in Beirut led to the controversial decision to sell arms to Iran, despite its status as a designated state sponsor of terrorism.

Key Players

1. Richard Secord
   A retired Air Force general with extensive experience in covert operations, Secord became instrumental in orchestrating the logistics of the Iran-Contra operations. Despite a tainted reputation from a prior scandal involving the illegal sale of plastic explosives to Muammar Gaddafi, Secord was brought on board for his expertise in clandestine logistics. As Secord himself stated during his 2019 interview, “The airplanes were well equipped and being operated by professional airmen who knew what the hell they were doing, which is why we had them” [15:49].

2. Oliver North
   A central figure in the affair, North lacked formal training in diplomacy or covert operations but was thrust into a pivotal role managing two top-secret foreign policy programs: one in Nicaragua and the other in Iran. His determination to secure the release of hostages led to increasingly risky maneuvers, including direct negotiations with Iranian officials.

3. John Poindexter
   As Reagan's National Security Advisor, Poindexter oversaw the Iran-Contra operations. He viewed the arms sales to Iran as a strategic move to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East, envisioning a future where Iran could align with either the U.S. or the Soviet Union. In his own words, Poindexter believed that “the President wants as many Americans home, all of them home, as fast as possible” [17:49].

4. Ian Crawford and Howard Teicher
   These individuals played crucial roles in the logistics and execution of the operations. Crawford, a former Delta Force operator, was responsible for airdropping supplies to the Contras, while Teicher, an expert on the Middle East, was part of the delegation sent to Tehran to negotiate the arms deal.

The Diversion Operation

The episode highlights the ingenious yet ethically questionable strategy devised by Oliver North and his team to circumvent congressional restrictions. The plan involved selling American-made weapons to Iran, with the proceeds illicitly diverted to fund the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. This dual-operation not only skirted legal boundaries but also risked implicating high-ranking officials in unauthorized arms dealings.

As Doyle McManus, a journalist covering the Contra war, reflected, “I thought it was a good idea... I thought it was perfectly legal on the one hand. But on the other hand, I knew the Democrats, if they found out about it, would object and claim all sorts of wild theories” [39:34].

The Tehran Mission

A critical moment in the affair was the mission to Tehran, where a delegation comprising Oliver North, former National Security Advisor Bud McFarlane, and Howard Teicher sought to finalize the arms-for-hostages deal. The mission was fraught with peril and deception:

• Preparation and Secrecy
  The delegation used fake Irish passports, adopting the guise of an Irish trade delegation. As John Poindexter explained, “We decided to bring the weapons and bring a cake... It is a tradition among Persians, when you've had a feud... you make up by bringing pastries” [29:58].

• Initial Interactions
  Upon arrival, the delegation was met with a lack of official Iranian representatives, leading to confusion and frustration. As Howard Teicher recounted, “He [Ghorbanifar] didn't come across like the people we see in movies of these vicious, evil arms merchants” [32:00].

• Stalemate and Disappointment
  After days of unproductive negotiations, Bud McManace concluded that the Iranians were unreliable, leading to the termination of the mission. The failed negotiation underscored the precarious nature of the entire operation.

Stacking the Deck: Contras and Iran Arms Sales

The convergence of the Iran arms sales and Contra funding created a symbiotic yet volatile relationship. Richard Secord’s logistical prowess ensured that arms and funds flowed seamlessly between the two operations, albeit through dubious channels. As Leon Nayfakh explains, “By combining their two covert operations, financially, the US would be able to take money they weren't supposed to be making in Iran and spend it on something they weren't supposed to be spending it on” [39:38].

The Scandal Unfolds

The affair reached a boiling point when a Contra plane was shot down in Nicaragua, exposing the covert operations to public scrutiny. The subsequent media revelations, including reports from Lebanese magazine Al Shirou, unmasked the dual dealings of the Reagan administration. Investigations revealed that approximately $3.6 million had been diverted from arms sales to Iran to support the Contras, solidifying the scandal's nexus.

Doyle McManus poignantly describes the absurdity and complexity of the situation: “The things that happened were so bizarre and insane I can't begin to tell you” [10:48].

Impact and Conclusions

The Iran-Contra Affair had profound implications for U.S. politics and foreign policy. It highlighted the lengths to which the Reagan administration would go to achieve its strategic objectives, often at the expense of legality and transparency. The scandal not only tarnished the reputations of those involved but also sparked intense debates over executive power and congressional oversight in foreign affairs.

Leon Nayfakh concludes the episode by reflecting on the human aspect of the scandal, emphasizing the mix of optimism and desperation that drove key figures to engage in such high-stakes covert operations. As he states, “Whatever it was, it seems to have made them all either giddy with optimism or deluded by desperation” [20:45].

Notable Quotes

• Richard Secord on Plane Operations:
  “Those airplanes were well equipped and being operated by professional airmen who knew what the hell they were doing, which is why we had them” [15:49].

• Doyle McManus on the Complexity of Events:
  “The things that happened were so bizarre and insane I can't begin to tell you” [10:48].

• John Poindexter on Presidential Support:
  “Actually, it was exciting. You know, this was the chance to change the course of history and protect American interests in a very fundamental way” [24:55].

• Ian Crawford on the Diversion Idea:
  “I thought it was a good idea... I thought it was perfectly legal on the one hand” [39:34].

Conclusion

Episode 4 of Fiasco provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Iran-Contra Affair, shedding light on the covert operations, ethical dilemmas, and political maneuvers that defined this tumultuous period in American history. Through detailed narrative and insightful interviews, Leon Nayfakh paints a vivid picture of the desperation and ambition that fueled one of the most controversial scandals of the Reagan era.