Iran Attacked US Forces In September

Captain's Quarters ^ | March 23, 2007 | Ed Morrissey

[woofer2425]

It is noteworthy that Iran keeps poking us and provoking our allies. It's almost like he wants us to attack. Something is up...if we attack then we anililate Iran...everything. I think if the attack is more conventional...like taking out a few military targets...then it will give Iran an excuse to do something terrible and unexpected to the United States or the U.K.

[tabor]

Iran's provocations have puzzled me for a long time. It's appeared to me that Iran definitely wants us to attack them, and if they do and the Bush administration knows they do, some credit should go to Bush for holding back thus far and trying other avenues.
Ahmayouknowwhat most likely sees his best chance of luring us in is while Bush is in office, thus the uptick in provocations. The big question is: why? I mull things around in my head and imagine there are several possibilities. Having said that, we must deal with them strongly, but very intelligently.

[jdm]

Having said that, we must deal with them strongly, but very intelligently.

But isn't 27 years long enough?

[racing fan]

Iran and our enemies know that they can get away with things. Britain and the United States are run by people who don't want to be bothered to do anything unless really provoked. Bush is trying to make it until he is out of office, why would he care.

[tabor]

That goes without saying. I bet we're all in agreement that it should have been answered 27 years ago.

[JasonC]

Every time they humiliate the west a little more and get away with it, the oil price rises $2-3 a barrel, they get paid, Ahmadinejad's stock goes up with the activists and the weaker willed mullahs lose a little more power within Iran.

They really don't worry the slightest bitty little bit that we will actually do something. It is called contempt.

[tabor]

My guess is he's frustrated as all get out.

[JasonC]

They don't need an excuse. The sheer popularity they know they would get out of anything of the kind would be reward enough. They would be the most popular goons on the planet. They are itching to get the means to do so, and striving for it every day in every way. In the meantime, propaganda rubbing the west's nose in it has-been impotence is a decent consolation prize and warm up act.

Yes virginia, men can murder you and the world will applaud.

[The Pack Knight]

What is being said now: ...the incident appeared to be the result of a “misunderstanding” which could be quickly resolved. Something tells me this won't result in an all-out war.

Sounds like you're right, but we shall see. If nothing else this serves as yet another reminder to keep our powder dry.

I'm reminded of the Marine who was guarding the Tehran embassy in 1979 (Kevin Hermaning?) expressing regret that he and the other Marines didn't open fire when the embassy was stormed. The West can afford no more displays of weakness towards Iran.

[JasonC]

Frustrated? You dream. He is positively beaming with the radiant glow of effortless and total triumph. He is positively glorying in the epic humiliation he is inflicting on the entire west. You have to have some kind of missing honor-bone disease not to see it.

[racing fan]

My guess is he's frustrated as all get out.
________________________________________________

Bush should do something then. He is sending the wrong message. The only thing they understand is force, so we should give them hell. He should act like Sherman. If not, quit now.

[rockinqsranch]

"But isn't 27 years long enough?"

One should think so, however this blatantly curious situation rates caution.

[blam]

"I don't understand why they haven't already taken out a couple of Iranian naval vessels. I also don't understand how a frigate captain let two of his small boats get surrounded and captured by a group of Iranina patrol boats. "

That's troubling and I'd like to know the answer. This is not suppose to happen.

[navyguy]

If this report is correct then its proof that our government will not respond to Iran under ANY circumstances. It's obvious that our policy is to allow Iran to attack anyone they want with total impunity in a consequence free environment. President Bush should be publically castigated for this.

And the GOP leadership wonders why they lost the last election. Imbeciles.

When all hell eventually breaks out in this country (and it will) do NOT rely on the government to protect you.

[festus]

As much as I hate sherman and think he is anathema I do have to admit you are right and he should act like him.

[PGalt]

Iran should take care. The British still have diplomatic relations, and so far have acted as a brake on American action against the mullahcracy.

Islam holds the British hostages. It has nothing to fear. Its tentacles are self evident. They leisurely open more and more command and control centers on British and U.S. soil, and the brake on American action comes automatically from America's domestic enemies.

[tarheelswamprat]

The American Navy now has two carriers in the area.

And... the French carrier just happens to be in the Arabian Sea right now... I think that there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye.

Which prompts a new variation on the classic joke: "If the Iranians attack the American Navy, would the French help?"

[HardStarboard]

>>>Very odd.<<<

Not really. "Twelvers" act that way. Ahmadinejad and his Rev. Guards are "twelvers".

[HardStarboard]

>>> I bet we're all in agreement that it should have been answered 27 years ago.<<<

Nothing would suprise me any more. But if Bush sends Carter to negotiate with the Iranians for a release of hostages, I'm moving to Australia!

Its past time that we send in a few waves of B-1's and take out every last coastal military installation that the Iranians have. They were repositioned from Diego Garcia to Qatar a few weeks ago....where are they now?

[HardStarboard]

>>>...we must deal with them strongly, but very intelligently.<<<

How do you deal intelligently with a "Twelver"? They believe that the apocalypse will bring the 12th Imam out of a well about 45 miles outside of Tehran and he will bring peace, and the triumph of Islam, to the world.

Deal with that intelligently...? Very difficult when your opponents frame of reference is off the planet.