ATTACK ON LIBERTY

Dead In The Water - The Sinking of the USS Liberty (BBC documentary)

Almost half a century ago a Middle Eastern nation attacked an American naval surveillance ship in international waters without warning. By the time the attack was over 34 Americans lay dead with another 172 wounded and the ship (which nearly sank) was so badly damaged that it was later declared unsalvageable and sold for scrap. Using unmarked planes so that a nearby country would be blamed for the attack leading to America retaliating against the supposed aggressor the attack only stopped when a message was intercepted that jet fighters were underway to assist the disabled ship.

Since that notable event both countries have grown more adept at conducting false-flag operations in order to advance their strategic interests while managing to avoid (for the time being) being blamed. Two pilots who refused to obey orders to attack the American vessel were imprisoned for several years afterwards and the Naval Board of Inquiry - though concluding that the attacks were clearly deliberate was ordered to alter their finding to being accidental by top Navy brass and the President.

More on the historic Attack On Liberty:
The USS Liberty Cover-Up
'The USS Liberty': America's Most Shameful Secret
Commission’s Findings on the Attack on the USS Liberty
USS Liberty: Government Betrayal and Cover-up Finally Exposed