Iran Attacked US Forces In September

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

[Lurker]

There's little love lost between the Iranians and the Brits. Do you remember the Iranian Embassy Hostage murders?

L

[RunningWolf]

Maybe they have the nuke, or a few of them.

[oldbrowser]

It makes no sense that Iran is being so provocative prior to having a nuke, much less while Bush/Blair have less than 2 years remaining in Office.

Very odd.

Makes you wonder what their trump card is.

a. a nuke

b. assurances of support from China or Russia

c. Economic power of oil

d. Religious stupidity

e. Back channel meetings with Ted Kennedy or maybe Soros

[RunningWolf]

I had not picked up on that aspect nearly as well as you guys, but I think there is something of weight to your observations.

I don't think people give Bush nearly enough credit on many levels in this most dangerous of games we find ourselves in.

I think as his presidency gets further and further distant in the rear view mirror of history, he is going to come down as a very significant leader of out nation.

[DEEP_e]

"Clearly the smart play..."

I don't think "smart" factors into their actions in this instance at all. They have plenty in common with their western leftist enablers:

They are both driven by an illogical, irrational pseudo-passion, believe chaos precedes "revolution", and therefore must need be. Amadnutjob is begging for the return of the mahdi, but knows he will not unless chaos is widespread and the rule. The leftists revel in chaos and injustice with glee and are therefore suitable partners and allies.

[RunningWolf]

I got this out of a marketwatch article

A British Navy boarding party had completed an inspection of a merchant ship when Iranian vessels surrounded the British forces, and then escorted them into Iranian territorial waters, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said.

[Patriot Hooligan]

If I am not mistaken, the U.S. does not get any of their oil from Iran.

[A6M3]

The Brits are now justified to declare war on Iran and take out their nukes.

[Gondring]

Who says they are baiting the UK? W ho says the UK wasn't pushing things? Seems to me that Blair/Bush would be wise to push the envelope, making the Iranians have to decide how far to give before reacting. In fact, it seems irresponsible if we *aren't* trying to provoke a response!

[RinaseaofDs]

As to the French carrier, I'll quote Patton:

"I'd rather have two German Divisions ahead of me, than three French ones behind me."

[Pro-Bush]

I see it differently, a crisis/invasion needs to happen before the Mahdi appears to lead the shia to victory against the kaffir aggressors.

[fruitintheroom]

If I am not mistaken, the U.S. does not get any of their oil from Iran.

Doesn't matter....oil is a fungible commodity.

[Allegra]

It's strikingly odd that Iran is baiting the UK/U.S. to attack while wartime leaders Blair and Bush are still in Office.

And the fact that Iran is surrounded by U.S. forces on pretty much all of its flanks...

Ahmadinejad is certifiable.

[spetznaz]

Personally I think the reason Ahmadenijad is baiting (and he is baiting) the US/UK is to do what you said ....provoke an attack. Why would he want to do that? Well, the Iranian youth have been becoming more and more pro-west, and this is something that has worried both the religious and conservative sections of Iran. Now, how do you get the youth back? Simple: Provoke an attack by an external power (perferably America and Israel, but apparently the UK will do just as fine). War is never sterile, and thus while we may target the people responsible it is inevitable that we will also hit non-targets (or the Iranian forces can 'help us' out by bombing a school or apartment block and claiming it was American ordinance that did that).

Result: A repeat of the 79 revolution. The Iranian youth is delivered to the Clerics and Conservatives on a silver platter. For another generation Iran is firmly in the control of the various clerics and political demagogues running that country.

The sad thing is that the way things are going we may really have no option but to hit Iran. That will play into the hands of Mad Ahmad, but we really may have no other choice. Those guys are pushing things too far.

Anyways, that is what I think Mad Ahmad is trying to do. Goad the West into attacking, and by doing so crystallize his grip on the future of Iran(well, not really his, but that of the true powers in Iran).

To do so he has to ensure that we (or a major Western power ....by the way, even France would do ....) attack them. And the way he is doing things he may just get his wish.

[fruitintheroom]

Now, how do you get the youth back?

Or, how do you get rid of a lot of them? From what I've read about the Iran/Iraq war, these people have no qualms about sending thousands of their own teenagers to certain deaths. And, I think you present an astute perception here.

[MrLee]

If only we would. But, we won't.

[McGavin999]

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.

The answer is: Amadinnerjacket believes he can bring forth the Mahdi. As a matter of fact, I'm not too sure he doesn't have someone all set to pose as the Mahdi so he can rally all the Shiia people to his cause. That's why we have to be very sure of what we are doing when we retaliate. We have to go in with surgical precision so the people see they are not being attacked.

[McGavin999]

If this report is correct then its proof that our government will not respond to Iran under ANY circumstances

So you can't understand it, is that correct? Our congress is threatening to cut funds for the war we're already in and YOU want Bush to start another one? If you were so tough, then why didn't you make sure the democrats didn't get in power so they could attempt to publically castrate Bush and our military?

[Marine_Uncle]

They do a lot of what to us seem odd, but to them may seem appropiate.

[freeangel]

"very odd"

It makes perfect sense if, in his state of delusion, i'manutjob thinks an attack on iran would unite muslims and the arab world againstthe infidels.