The Iranian paradox: to gain victory the West must first concede defeat

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1061-2326132,00.html ^ | August 24, 2006 | Anatole Kaletsky

[RusIvan]

DEFEAT IS NEVER pleasant, but often it is better to lose than to win. Defeat in the Second World War was the best thing that ever happened to Germany and Japan in their thousand years of recorded history. For America, losing in Vietnam was also a blessing in disguise. While defeat seemed to shatter the illusion of an “American century” of global dominance, it was followed by 30 years of almost uninterrupted prosperity, a political renaissance for conservative values and America’s total victory over communism in the Cold War. Such thoughts may not offer much consolation to George Bush, Tony Blair and Ehud Olmert as they contemplate their defeat at the hands of Iran and its Hezbollah allies. But the ordinary citizens of America, Britain and Israel should try to draw some constructive lessons from history, even while their leaders make ever greater fools of themselves with their idle threats against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

[Yossarian]

The Times Paradox: to gain sanity, Anatole Kaletsky must first concede insanity.

[peyton randolph]

while their leaders make ever greater fools of themselves with their idle threats against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

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The only reason they're making fools of themselves is because the lack the cojones to carry out on the threats. Does anyone doubt that we could elminate the Iranian government in 30 days or less with non-nuclear force?

 

[kingu]

So, let me see if I understand this right - It was great for America to defeat Germany and Japan, but it just wouldn't be right for them to defeat Iran, because it offends them because they can't get off their lazy rumps and do the work that has to be done?

Have I got that right?

Or are we supposed to put our heads between our knees and defy anatomy by putting our heads up our rumps like most of Europe has done, while at the same time suffering whole regions being taken over by 'immigrants' who, like our Mexicans, treat it not as immigration but as a new place to start up their culture?

These Europeans. Every time I turn around, they make me ask questions.

[eclectic]

Just lay down and die... Thank you for this valuable advice, Mr. Kaletsky! Here is hoping you can use it one day too.

[Ticonderoga34]

For America, losing in Vietnam was also a blessing in disguise.

And a death sentence for millions of people living under communist rule in Cambodia and Vietnam. A fact most liberals seem to forget.

[familyop]

"While defeat seemed to shatter the illusion of an “American century” of global dominance,..."

Will western Europe ever concede that we Americans don't agree with them on their lust for "empire?"

[defenderSD]

Who is this moron Kaletsky? He has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. Iran is not going to build nuclear weapons under any circumstances. The entire world is opposed to that idea even if some countries appear to be neutral about this issue. If necessary, there will be a regime change in Iran caused by a number of interested nations, before Iran ever acquires nuclear weapons.

[Rapscallion]

The defeat the left now advocates for America will be far more painful than VietNam. After that defeat there was a bloodbath in South East Asia and people loyal to the concept of freedom fled on small boats.

This time you will face a delusional Islamo-fascist with nukes and rockets to carry such weapons.

Please tell me what you expect to happen if we pull out of the young democracy, Iraq which is next-door to terroristic Iran.

[Rapscallion]

Iran is not going to build nuclear weapons under any circumstances.

Do not bet big money on that. Iran's nuclear development program is already underway with technical assistance from North Korea.

[defenderSD]

Like many people, I think you're underestimating the power of all the nations that are opposed to a nuclear-armed Iran, and that is because so far these nations have only used a very small fraction of that power. But they will use whatever power they have to use to stop the Iranian nuclear weapons program. Nobody wants Iran to build nukes except Iran and a few little two-bit dictatorships in the UN.

[Roy Tucker]

Ah, the European solution.

Nuts.

[Jacquerie]

And a death sentence for millions of people living under communist rule in Cambodia and Vietnam

Ah yes, the compassion of the left.

The left fakes horror at our servicemen's deaths and ignores their bloody hands.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"The Iranian paradox: to gain victory the West must first concede defeat.

Well, with France and Americans Democrats they are already off to a good start.