Posted on 11/18/2006 10:15:36 AM PST by PghBaldy
As the American President George W. Bush steps up threatening rhetoric against Iran to force it suspend its nuclear program, calling for worldwide isolation of Tehran until it gives up its nuclear ambitions, experts predict that the coming days would see a much violent step by Washington against the Islamic Republic.
What asserts the experts fears is the fact that on October 31, two nuclear-powered carriers, the USS Eisenhower and USS Enterprise, arrived in Bahrain, accompanied by their carrier strike groups. And on November 9th, the USS Iwo Jima, and the USS Boxer also arrived.
Is President Bush up to something? Asked Rense.com
On October 11, American officials announced that the U.S., Bahrain and other states will hold their first naval exercise in the Gulf to practice interdicting ships carrying weapons of mass destruction and missiles.
The exercises, organized under the U.S.-led 66-member Proliferation Security Initiative and the first to be based in the Gulf near Bahrain, across from Iran, came as Washington and the European Union member states are pushing for imposing sanctions including possible interdiction of ships on North Korea, following its announcement of carrying out nuclear test, and on Iran, which the U.S., backed by Israel and the EU, claims is preparing to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran considers Washington- sponsored war games in the Persian Gulf, off the Iranian coastline as a provocation aimed at creating a situation of direct confrontation between the U.S. and Iranian naval forces in the Persian Gulf, although a senior U.S. official insisted that the exercise is not aimed specifically at Iran.
About the exercises, which experts say reinforces a U.S. strategy aimed at strengthening Americas ties with the Gulf states, which Tehran and Washington are engaged in a fierce competition to win influence over, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity claimed:
"Its an effort to bring a lot of Gulf states together to demonstrate resolve and readiness to act against proliferation."
"Reports say the U.S.-led naval exercises based near Bahrain will practise intercepting and searching ships carrying weapons of mass destruction and missiles.
Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted an unnamed foreign ministry official as describing the military manoeuvres as dangerous and suspicious. The Iranian foreign ministry official said the U.S.-led exercises were not in line with the security and stability of the region. Instead, they are aimed at fomenting crises, he said." (quoted in BBC, 23 October 2006)
But some analysts reject the idea that the U.S. plans for another war while its army is struggling in Iraq after the situation there worsened beyond the Bush administration and its war allies expectations.
The Proliferation Security Initiative is a global initiative, launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush with the aim of stopping shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), includes a group of countries willing to share intelligence information to combat proliferation of WMD, including through military exercises.
North Korea has already announced having nuclear weapons capability, but Iran rejects the United States and other major powers accusations that its developing a nuclear weapons program, insisting its nuclear program is solely aimed at peaceful purposes, including power generation.
It makes perfect sense, unless you think that GW is really going to prosecute a war now, that he failed to prosecute before the election. To what end? If we intended to get serious he should have done it before the election, might have saved our country from the crazies that are now in charge.
Wake up.
I can just imagine what the drive-by media would say if the Pentagon owned a lot of ovens.
WE ARE NOT AT WAR WITH CHINA!
Why the hell would we let them know if we can see them or not?
You don't attack ships in international waters in peacetime. You let them play their games and wait for them to do something aggressive. Do you really believe that we didn't have a tail on them?
Sorry, I just get soo frustrated with people that jump to conclusions like that without an understanding of the facts.
Uh, why are we still there then?
The President is Commander in Chief, he decides when and if we go to war.
Yes, I read it too. I wonder, have the readers of AJ heard about it?
Huh? What's wrong with what he said?
FOTFL
Well the Admiral of the fleet did, so I suggest you take it up with him.
You don't attack ships in international waters in peacetime.
December 7th, 1941.
Never mind that China is selling their technology.
Who did WE attack on Dec 7, 1941? WE DON'T WORK THAT WAY.
And you expect the Admiral to breach security and give details of out ASW capabilities?
Your ignorance is astounding.
I don't know about anyone here but if I were Iran and I had four U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier battle groups off my coast I would be quite nervous. Maybe they will come around and see the light before it blows up in their face.
He SAID it like THIS, and THAT'S a bit HARD on the EYES.
It takes just a little more effort to considerate of others.
Is that an f-14 in the middle? I can tell the ones on the sides are f-18's, But the swept back wings make that look like a 14 which I thought was officially retired.
As a matter of fact I DO talk like that when I have to drill something through the head of someone that won't pay attention!
Good! Hurry up! (Thanks for the article and picture, PghB.)
And getting ready to bomb the livin' $hit out of a bunch of sand monkeys.
Yo, XGI, the dude's name is Pisano, so he's Eyetalian, so he's emotional....passionate, ya' know? Cut 'im some slack, okay? Besides, I would think that as a GI your eyes and ears suffered worse than seeing some capital letters on a screen. Lighten up already. Bahdabing!
Arrivaderci, baby! :>
Your ignorance is astounding.
Japan attacked us on December 7th, 1941....Pearl Harbor? USS Arizona?
Please bring a brain to the next discussion.
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