Iran massing troops on Iraq border

The Washington Times ^ | June 15th | UPI

[F14 Pilot]

Beirut, Lebanon, Jun. 15 (UPI) -- Iran reportedly is readying troops to move into Iraq if U.S. troops pull out, leaving a security vacuum.

The Saudi daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat, monitored in Beirut, reports Iran has massed four battalions at the border.

[Cap Huff]

Thanks for the ping. The title of the story is designed to create an impression . . . That happens with such regularity these days that it is almost a safe bet that the reality of any story is vastly different from the published headline.

[Junior]

Four battalions is not "massing."

[nuconvert]

sounds more dramatic than "gathering"

[shaggy eel]

,,, here's something else.

[Landru]

"A couple of things strike me about this. It is provocative without being an immediate threat. Is it ,as has been suggested elsewhere on this thread, a security apparatus for the border jumpers?"

Maybe, but unlikely (IMO).

"Is it a sacrificial target for us to pluck?"

That was instinctevly my first impression.
Some kind of *trap* to garner world opin in Iran's favor.

"Is it designed to hopefully muddle the US(and other Western )elections?"

Very well could be, given the fickle public & their uncanny ability to consistently fail to get the point.

"I'm going to risk sounding a Cassandra, but I think there are all three elements here."

Hardly, quite sage.

"What proportion as yet I don't ,and not too many of us do ,know. We shall see soon enough ."

Yup, that we will.

..."Time will tell, who's trying to sell," as it were.

[xrp]

They aren't pulling out and they know it. IN fact, they're bringing in more from N.Korea....so what's this story about?

When did we invade North Korea?

[xrp]

I remember we heard news of Qatari-Iranian clashes in the Persian gulf a few days ago. And UAE Naval boats engaged an Iranian vessel too.

I cannot believe your vile Crusader/infidel disinformation. Everyone knows that Muslims do not kill Muslims.

[xrp]

Prediction: massing armies will become obsolete in the early 21st century.

I think massed armies became obsolete in 1991.

[nuconvert]

LoL. Typo. Or maybe wishful thinking....... :~ )

[nuconvert]

What is that picture of?

[BossLady]

Time for 'Operation Geni in A Bottle'......;)

(Play the song 'Geni in a Bottle' by Christine Aguilera over and over until Iranians surrender.....and they will surrender.....)

[Constitutional Patriot]

I think they may be preparing for a Bush Victory in the fall...

[cmsgop]

The Final days of Gulf War I....

[nuconvert]

Oh. Thanks.

[xrp]

Yep, massive numbers of Iraqi military were on the road back to Baghdad and Apache helicopters and A-10 Warthogs had their way with the military convoys.

[nuconvert]

Iranian Forces Preparing to Strike Iraq After U.S. Pullout

June 15, 2004
The Media Line
themedialine.org

Iranian military forces have recently moved close to the Iraqi border. According to the London-based daily A-Sharq Al-Awsat, four Iranian army divisions are now based near the border, awaiting orders to invade Iraq once the American forces retreat.

Citing ‘reliable Iraqi sources’, the paper says Iranian secret agents have infiltrated into Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in order to evaluate the internal situation. Iran plans to exploit an expected power vacuum in Iraq following the American evacuation, according to the sources.

http://themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=6257

[nuconvert]

Thanx

[johnb838]

But WE do. Massing armies is bad policy.

Good thing we have a Navy.

[johnb838]

Google the "Regimental System". There are some pretty good explanations out there.

[momofsixgirls]

Probably not important, but don't they still have all those jets of Iraq's from Gulf War I (defectors...ie -cowards) or did they finally give them back?