Word: difficult
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...more difficult role in the cover story than Middle East Correspondent Bruce van Voorst in Tehran...
...Carter, he knew that the attack in Iran would inevitably worsen his "leadership" problem and make his quest for a second term more difficult. The circumstances required a restrained response and infinite patience; yet this very stance would reinforce the public's perception of the President as a poor leader. Carter must have recognized the potential damage to his candidacy, but concluded that he had little choice...
...most military actions of this kind, surprise is essential. But in a case like Iran's, it would be very difficult to achieve. Without surprise, hostages could be killed once their captors discovered that a rescue was under way. One major problem last week was that no U.S. combat units were near Iran. The 51,000-ton carrier Midway, with its 75 warplanes, was about 2,000 miles away in the Indian Ocean, and the closest Marine Amphibious Force was in the Mediterranean...
Surprise is also difficult because U.S. planes would be detected as they neared Iran. Even though the Iranian air force's capability has deteriorated dramatically in the past year, its radar units might well be able to pick up approaching aircraft. In any event, the Soviets would surely spot the American planes. Observed Zumwalt: "The Russians would alert the Iranians just to cause us trouble." There would also be the possibility, though not great, that U.S. planes could be shot down by Iranian antiaircraft missiles-all of course supplied...
...camps housing thousands of sick and dying people, cradled undernourished infants in her arms and tried to feed them, kneeled before rows of hunger-weakened human castoffs lying on the ground. Toward the end of her three-day tour, she conceded that the experience was "devastating." It was very difficult for her, she said, "as a wife, as a mother and as a human being...