Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Tehran's Hostages - Iran's act of war against our British allies
The Wall Street Journal ^ | March 26, 2007

Posted on 03/26/2007 4:07:58 AM PDT by Zakeet

Advocates of engagement with Tehran often claim that the Islamic Republic long ago shed its revolutionary pretensions in favor of becoming a "status quo" power. They might want to share that soothing wisdom with the families of the 15 British sailors and marines kidnapped Friday in Iraqi territorial waters by the naval forces of the elite, and aptly named, Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

In an earlier day, what Iran has done would have been universally regarded as an act of war. It was a premeditated act, carried out only hours before Britain voted to stiffen sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program in a unanimous U.N. Security Council resolution. Iran captured a smaller detachment of British forces in the same waters in 2004, claiming they had strayed across the Iranian border.

[Snip]

It is worth recalling, however, that Iran was at its most diplomatically pliant after the United States sank much of Tehran's navy after Iran tried to disrupt oil traffic in the Persian Gulf in the late 1980s. Regimes that resort to force the way Iran does tend to be respecters of it. It is also far from certain that Western military strikes against Revolutionary Guards would move the Iranian people to rally to their side: Iranians know only too well what their self-anointed leaders are capable of.

Most important, the world should keep in mind that Iran has undertaken this latest military aggression while it is still a conventional military power. That means that Britain and the U.S. can still respond today with the confidence that they maintain military superiority. That confidence will vanish the minute Iran achieves its goal of becoming a nuclear power. Who knows what the revolutionaries in Tehran will then be capable of.

(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: hostage; iran; iraq; wot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last
To: SolidWood
"The USA is not going to kill 70 Million humans..."

Ok, you have convinced me of the stress induced error in my thinking, caused by years of being hated and attacked for being:
1) Christian
2) American
3) Conservative

I now see your wisdom in not killing 70 million muslims... some which are NOT human. I think we should attack them with the same philosophy and fervor we employed during WWII (kill enough of their people for them to lose the will to fight), so we can see if the remaining balance of their population can be saved and turned to freedom like we did in WWII. They have been at war with us since the late 70's. Their people have committed terror attacks in this country, even though our own government denies this fact. They threaten us stating that they have agents and terrorists already in place to kill many Americans and allies. They are as serious a threat to our way of life as bin laden is... and I am certain that they (the government of iran) aid and comfort him in a major way!

LLS
41 posted on 03/26/2007 6:54:29 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: sgtbono2002
"If your country places you at risk and then abandons you then why bother to continue to serve?"

This statement could just as easily be made about our dozens of brave warriors rotting in U.S. briggs awaiting their military courts martial for "war crimes". These are strange times we live in, Western society is no longer cohesive and rational. We are self-destructing, and if things don't turn around soon there won't be much left worth fighting for. If you look carefully, you can see the frenzied sharks circling the troubled waters of Western man, waiting to go in for the kill. The 'sharks' of Islam, socialism, secularism, paganism and globalism smell the weakness and are poised to devour us. What's really troubling though is that while we are losing faith and unity we are at the same time strengthening the circling sharks with our new-age religion of political correctness, multiculturalism and worship of self. The modern-day "trinity" of man's foolishness.

42 posted on 03/26/2007 6:54:55 AM PDT by Cooking101
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Cooking101

Well said.


43 posted on 03/26/2007 7:00:49 AM PDT by alarm rider (Why should I not vote my conscience?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: bert
"There is no evidence that the 15 have been abandoned."

Nah, no evidence whatsoever. The mere fact that the HMS Cornwall and a hovering British helo stood by and did nothing to help their Marines certainly doesn't mean they were abandoned; it just means they were "temporarily left alone to fend for themselves". Blair's negotiating skills will save them; it's always better to talk than fight, it's the new PC way don't ya know.

44 posted on 03/26/2007 7:01:35 AM PDT by Cooking101
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Iran is picking a fight, and will not be satisfied until a western power attacks it in order for it to play the victim and call for world jihad against the West. Britain is now in the "educational" seat. It should be left there until they well understand what we in the US, at least the sentient half, already understand.

Then, we can join forces and wipe the jihadists off the face of this planet.


45 posted on 03/26/2007 7:05:43 AM PDT by guitfiddlist (When the 'Rats break out switchblades, it's no time to invoke Robert's Rules.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: angcat

Thank you... I am not alone! I have modified my position a slight bit. See my post above this one.

LLS


46 posted on 03/26/2007 7:05:45 AM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: SolidWood; LibLieSlayer
Solid, I understand your anger and frustration. It is the Islamic Revolution started by the big-K that needs to be halted and brought to a swift end. I believe even his grandson is speaking out against the Islamic revolution.
47 posted on 03/26/2007 7:10:30 AM PDT by USMMA_83 (Tantra is my fetish ;))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Daveinyork
Never gonna happen...the Brits will be held until the Tony caves in...the US will do nothing, NATO will do nothing, EU will do nothing. Both Iran and NK have shown that the emperor has no clothes.
48 posted on 03/26/2007 7:12:14 AM PDT by USMMA_83 (Tantra is my fetish ;))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: SolidWood
"Yes I see your point about the lack of all-out resistance. But neither the Germans nor the Japanese overthrew their Governments. Yes we killed a whole bunch of Germans (after TWO world wars) and Japanese. But we didn't wipe them out."

I dont want to sound callous and I understand your personal reasons for not wishing to wage war on Iran, but what you said is not really true. We were quite ready and willing to annhilate both Germany and Japan if they refused to surrender. I think that Nagasaki, Hiroshima and Dresden pretty much proves my point. Heck, we fire-bombed Dresden even after the German's were defeated, but we wanted to make sure they had nothing left to fight with or for. Complete defeat and demoralization of the Japanese and German people was the intent, and that's exactly what we did.

The survival of America and the preservation of American lives back then were more valuable than the lives of our enemies. Unfortunately, that's not quite true today. As i see it, we can wait for the Iranian people to overthrow their dictators while we watch those dictators build a nuclear arsenal, or we can take care of the problem now and ensure our own survival. I know which scenario I'd prefer.

49 posted on 03/26/2007 7:14:00 AM PDT by Cooking101
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: bert

No they are probbly working at Jimmy Carters timetable. Lets see, that was 444 days and it took a real President to make it happen.


50 posted on 03/26/2007 7:16:18 AM PDT by sgtbono2002 (I will forgive Jane Fonda, when the Jews forgive Hitler.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: kabar

Wrong...the plane was returned.I know this for fact.


51 posted on 03/26/2007 7:29:36 AM PDT by jusduat (I am a strange and recurring anomaly)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: jusduat

Source please.


52 posted on 03/26/2007 7:43:34 AM PDT by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Well, is the free world a paper tiger as the Muzzies believe??? Now is the time to fish or cut bait.


53 posted on 03/26/2007 7:48:13 AM PDT by JayAr36
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jusduat

I have only found that they argeed to return it to us and we paid them $34,567 for the costs associated with the downing of the aircraft. Wikipedia says the disassembled plane was released on July 3, 2001. If that is true, I stand corrected. Thanks.


54 posted on 03/26/2007 7:51:07 AM PDT by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: mainepatsfan
They will blame this on the "failed policies" of the administration, and they will say it provides even more reason why the President should not be permitted to pull us into war with Iran without the approval of Congress.

According to them, everything is Bush's fault. Every bad thing that happens in the world is an opportunity to criticize the administration and attempt to grab more power.

They have chosen sides in the war in the middle east. If the US and her allies win, the Democrats lose.

The absolute last thing the Dems want is for the US to invade Iran, because we will demolish them militarily. We will also throw their terrorist network into disarray. We will spread their forces and resources thinner.

Their ability to fund and organize insurgencies in Iraq and Afganistan will weaken, at least for a time.

They are afraid that the conflict will expand, because any successes will hurt them in the 2008 elections, and no one trusts the Dems to win a war, and if the war starts looking winnable, the Dems will lose their support among swing voters quickly.

55 posted on 03/26/2007 7:57:17 AM PDT by untrained skeptic
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: untrained skeptic
and if the war starts looking winnable, the Dems will lose their support among swing voters quickly.

If Gen. Petraeus keeps it going, it may turn out that the swing voters ditching us was a very good thing in the long run. Just sticks in the craw now.

56 posted on 03/26/2007 8:18:26 AM PDT by txhurl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Cooking101; LibLieSlayer; USMMA_83

Don't get me wrong. I'm calling for a war against Iran at least since 20 years... and now more than ever.
I also see no other realistic alternative to a war. But a war does not equal genocide.

We didn't kill all Iraqis, Afghans, Vietnamese, Koreans, Japanese or Germans. Defeating the enemy has priority and a total war as waged against Japan and Germany has it's merits.
But once defeated we tried (successfully) to turn their societies into free, democratic and capitalistic ones. That's what makes the USA so special.

If (and it's pretty likely) a war against Iran is coming, we will bomb and destroy their WMD, military and petro-chemical infrastructure. We will kill their leadership and their agents. Civilians will die... This is part of war's reality but certainly worth if the Islamic Regime of Iran can be crushed.


57 posted on 03/26/2007 9:01:55 AM PDT by SolidWood (Islam is an insanity cult that makes everyone act Arab)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: SolidWood
"If (and it's pretty likely) a war against Iran is coming, we will bomb and destroy their WMD, military and petro-chemical infrastructure. We will kill their leadership and their agents. Civilians will die... This is part of war's reality but certainly worth if the Islamic Regime of Iran can be crushed."

I agree, Iran needs to be dealt with and soon, the free world simply cannot let them develop WMD. With every passing day they get a little closer to their goal and we get a little less willing to fight them.

58 posted on 03/26/2007 12:18:30 PM PDT by Cooking101
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: ASA Vet

Dang, I was at work and never really looked in detail. I am sorry!

LLS


59 posted on 03/26/2007 4:47:04 PM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Cooking101

Damn well said!

LLS


60 posted on 03/26/2007 4:51:20 PM PDT by LibLieSlayer (Preserve America... kill terrorists... destroy dims!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson