Posted on 01/14/2007 5:55:11 PM PST by maquiladora
The evidence is building up that President Bush plans to add war on Iran to his triumphs in Iraq and Afghanistan - and there is every sign, to judge by his extraordinary warmongering speech in Plymouth on Friday, that Tony Blair would be keen to join him if he were still in a position to commit British forces to the field.
"There's a strong sense in the upper echelons of the White House that Iran is going to surface relatively quickly as a major issue - in the country and the world - in a very acute way," said NBC TV's Tim Russert after meeting the president. This is borne out by the fact that Bush has sent forces to the Gulf that are irrelevant to fighting the Iraqi insurgents. These include Patriot anti-missile missiles, an aircraft carrier, and cruise-missile-firing ships.
Many military analysts see these deployments as signals of impending war with Iran. The Patriot missiles are intended to shoot down Iranian missiles. The naval forces, including British ships, train to pre-empt Iranian interference with oil shipments through the straits of Hormuz.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
I don't *think* that we'll strike inside Iran (first).
The complete encirclement of Iran points to an obvious blockade. Political dynamics would tend to make one think that we'd go: diplomacy (e.g. the EU-Iran talks), sanctions, blockade...with more severe options being held in reserve for later (if at all).
How long can Iran go without cash?
We may find out.
"If we attack Iran, we may not need the Brits, I have a feeling we will have to Israeli's."
Now we have NATO in Afghanistan, the "coalition of the willing" in Iraq, and the "enhanced" Navy in the Gulf. Israel will take care of Hizzbola and Syria if necessary. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the gulf states have enhanced defences.
Iran is completely flanked.
Someone has been making plans.
What? This just happened since GW made his speech?
yitbos
Not just flanked...encircled.
Excuse me, but they need to leave us alone. Our men have died as a result of their IEDs. If that's not provcation, nothing is.
Duh!!! .......... FRegards
Yes: We have all of these assets around Iran and still Ahmdinejhad is making threats ,and now he is in South America seeking a political union with Chavez and Ortega right in our back yard.
Maybe his next stop will be N. Korea. Truly George Bush named it right when he called it an Axis of evil.
Time to get the Go team, jiminy carter, to standup to those mad muslim minions. He is da man that can save us from all out nuc annilihation. He held them at bay for 444 days in 79, and can do it again.
CALLING jiminy carter. Peanut boy and Areyfat protector. Calling jiminy...
"Until they hit us, we need to leave them alone."
Are you still channeling Neville Chamberlain? Better give that up.
"I am getting this feeling that if we go to war with Iran, we are going to need a lot more troops. So, I am going to get out my boots and shine them up, my Uncle might be recalling me in the next year. I am over 55 now, but I am in excellent physical shape (rode over 28,000 miles on my bike the past 3 years), and still say active shooting my pistols and rifles. So, while I may not be able to hump in the boonies and carry the heavy ruck sack any more, I can at least free up a younger, stronger warrior from his boring guard type duties or guarding convoys and such. I am ready to wear my uniform again, if my Uncle rings me up!!"
In the Manatee Herald Tribune (Bradenton, Florida), there was an article yesterday about a 59 year old retired Colonel who has just been recalled to go to Iraq. He's packing, I guess. If you want to go, contact your Reserve Unit and talk to them.
It's a REAL GOOD solution to this mess. If they choose to come out and fight, they're screwed. If they sit tight, they're screwed.
Turkmenistan, Armenia, and Turkey.
Fair enough.
yitbos
During the first gulf war, I was at Fort Benning, GA. I was working my last assignment before retirement. There were lots of recently released soldiers recalled for the war effort in 1991. Many folks who had got out 1 to 2 or so years before were recalled, especially combat arms types.
IMHO, I suspect you may be correct.
Although I agree with our ability to attack to defend ourselves, I do observe an incredible weakness on our political front in the mainland.
If we don't have the resolve and mechanics to make the war well understood at home, we won't do very well convincing third world observers of our intent, not to mention China and other coalitions.
IMHO, within a decade the world power structures will change and a half hearted attempt might result in very stern permanent adversity directed against us amongst allies.
IMHO, our critical vulnerability is our inability to mobilize the American will to defend itself. Even if we win battles, what will that accomplish when the public lacks the will to remain responsible, accountable and legitimate?
Granted there is something to be said for results, but we are so spread out, it wouldn't take much to overrun the US in the face of calamity. History well documents past civilizations taken captive into slavery for far less than what the socialist side of America has espoused over the past two decades.
But how can this be? I thought the liberals were saying that the US was overstretched to the limit in Iraq, and we had exhausted all of our resources there? How could we possibly have anything left over for other purposes after that?
Personally, I'm not convinced that Iran is a threat to the United States.
Their missile systems are rudimentary, their nuclear processing capabilities are limited, and while the Iranian President is a big talker I seriously doubt he has the political will to attack either the US or Israel.
He knows a nuclear attack on Israel would mean an immediate and overwhelming nuclear response. Is national suicide his goal? I doubt it. He is merely playing politics to satisfy the anti-American factions of his country.
We should NOT act against Iran until they pose an imminent and significant threat to us.
Ah, but now we have nice, friendly mobilization and launching points in Iraq. And Afghanistan.
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