Thread
Iran puts its best foot forward
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID...03-024040-6730r
Link says that Iran has sent special troops into lower Iraq to get ready for the post-Saddam era. I think the small boats incidents during the first few days were related to this too, although I haven't heard.
I guess this goes to the "I told you so" crowd, and also to the bunch that said it was time to get the job done. Anyway, it doesn't prove that the Middle East is on fire or anything, just that we've been TOLD this time.
Link says that Iran has sent special troops into lower Iraq to get ready for the post-Saddam era. I think the small boats incidents during the first few days were related to this too, although I haven't heard.
I guess this goes to the "I told you so" crowd, and also to the bunch that said it was time to get the job done. Anyway, it doesn't prove that the Middle East is on fire or anything, just that we've been TOLD this time.
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Originally posted by finboy: http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID...03-024040-6730r Link says that Iran has sent special troops into lower Iraq to get ready for the post-Saddam era. I think the small boats incidents during the first few days were related to this too, although I haven't heard. I guess this goes to the "I told you so" crowd, and also to the bunch that said it was time to get the job done. Anyway, it doesn't prove that the Middle East is on fire or anything, just that we've been TOLD this time. |
the iranians better watch their butts cause we can just do a 90 degree turn after baghdad and see what they are cookin too
Well, on to phase two then.
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Originally posted by theolein: Well, on to phase two then. |
I thought Syria was phase II? Or can we handle 2 fronts during Phase II?
Or maybe Bush is jealous that the Iranian government can build wonderful, glorious nuclear power plants without dealing with environmentalists and pesky government regulators? How dare they implement the Cheney Energy Policy better than us!! Let the tanks roll, boys...
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Originally posted by thunderous_funker: I thought Syria was phase II? Or can we handle 2 fronts during Phase II? Or maybe Bush is jealous that the Iranian government can build wonderful, glorious nuclear power plants without dealing with environmentalists and pesky government regulators? How dare they implement the Cheney Energy Policy better than us!! Let the tanks roll, boys...
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C'mon baby let the good time roll...
Mmm, perhaps it's phase II and a half?
Actually I can well imagine Iran doing this, letting these exiled Iraqi shiites loose in Iraq. They're Iraqis, and it will be almost impossible for the Allies to differentiate between them and the majority of other Iraqis. The Iranians have no interest in making things easy for the Allies given the whole "Axis of evil thing". Stirring the sh1t in a way that doesn't really involve them directly would probably suite them very well. I don't think the US could fight Iran right now as well as fighting Iraq. The Iranian army is intact and is also very large. It would be a huge fight.
I think Donald Rum**** is waiting for a more appropraite date before attacking Iran.
Iran really has a bad rap these days. It's become a lot more moderate than it used to be (not that it's a western country now.). The people of the country are mostly young, and educated. Only the regime is old and set in their ways... and as a result have caved in an backed down a bit, or they would have faced being overthrown.
Iran at this point seems to want to prove that it isn't evil. With good reason to do so. They need western acceptance to move forward as a country and develop further. They could really use some US support as well. This could pit the US and Iran on the same side... and eventually ease tensions between the nations.
They do have a while to go... but they are making progress.
This is good for everyone involved really. If Iran likes it's neighbor, less chance of instability in the region. If Iran is eased back into the international community, that will ease anti-american sentiment... and reduce the chance of terrorist ties to Iran. Iran of course has economic, and poltical advantages.
Iran at this point seems to want to prove that it isn't evil. With good reason to do so. They need western acceptance to move forward as a country and develop further. They could really use some US support as well. This could pit the US and Iran on the same side... and eventually ease tensions between the nations.
They do have a while to go... but they are making progress.
This is good for everyone involved really. If Iran likes it's neighbor, less chance of instability in the region. If Iran is eased back into the international community, that will ease anti-american sentiment... and reduce the chance of terrorist ties to Iran. Iran of course has economic, and poltical advantages.
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Originally posted by macvillage.net: Iran really has a bad rap these days. It's become a lot more moderate than it used to be (not that it's a western country now.). The people of the country are mostly young, and educated. Only the regime is old and set in their ways... and as a result have caved in an backed down a bit, or they would have faced being overthrown. |
But... If I get it right, shouldn't the democracy lovin' U.S. free the supressed people? What about "Operation Iranian Freedom"?
--->"It's the freedom, stupid"
PB.
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Originally posted by Powerbook: But... If I get it right, shouldn't the democracy lovin' U.S. free the supressed people? What about "Operation Iranian Freedom"? --->"It's the freedom, stupid" PB. |
The odd think about Iran is that the government is actually not as dumb as we thought. They do realize that if the people hate them enough, they will be overthrown... that is why they are slowly changing... and as they get old and the young rise up... change will move quicker.
The one problem we will see if the US doesn't start some form of relations with them is a civil conflict similar to the civil rights movement here in the US, where it's split between conservative, and more liberal muslems. That could cause some growing pains... but in the end, will turn out well. The important thing is that the US build some relations, so that we can ensure that a movement doesn't turn into a civil war. Part of what would determine that is how accepted they feel in the western world. Not to mention economic conditions in their country.
Keep the government stable, and in power through the change is key to stability in the middle east.
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Originally posted by macvillage.net: The odd think about Iran is that the government is actually not as dumb as we thought. They do realize that if the people hate them enough, they will be overthrown... that is why they are slowly changing... and as they get old and the young rise up... change will move quicker. The one problem we will see if the US doesn't start some form of relations with them is a civil conflict similar to the civil rights movement here in the US, where it's split between conservative, and more liberal muslems. That could cause some growing pains... but in the end, will turn out well. The important thing is that the US build some relations, so that we can ensure that a movement doesn't turn into a civil war. Part of what would determine that is how accepted they feel in the western world. Not to mention economic conditions in their country. Keep the government stable, and in power through the change is key to stability in the middle east. |
America would do everyone (and themselves) a favour if they stopped being so antagonistic towards Iran. Iran does support Hizbollah (Hizbollah in Lebanon is Shiite) and the Palestinians (which most of the Muslim world is highly upset about). But the US supports Israel mostly without criticism, which is one of the main poblems in the middle east. Actually doing something positive for the Palestinians (Perhaps Bush is even sincere about a Palestinian state) and trying to open a dialog with Iran instead of accusing them of "supporting terrorists and making WMD" would go a long way to easing tensions in the region.
But, sadly I think Donald and George have other plans for Iran, which involve something ludicrous along the lines of trying to bring back the Shah or installing yet another puppet regime(The US/UK have already done this once there). Since it was the Iranian people who overthrew the Shah, I can't image that this will go down well there.