Britain is Taking Right Approach with Iran

Real Clear Politics ^ | March 29, 2007 | Gerard Baker

[CitadelArmyJag]

Britain is Taking Right Approach with Iran By Gerard Baker

This weekend, Britain will mark the 25th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, when Argentine forces invaded the small group of British islands in the South Atlantic, 1,500 miles off the coast of Argentina.

It was inevitable, given the coincidence of timing and the circumstances, that comparisons would be drawn between that conflict, which ended in a triumphant recovery of the islands by UK forces two months later, and the humiliation heaped on Britain in the last week by the seizure of 15 British sailors in the waters near the Persian Gulf.

Then, as now, the incident involved an obvious breach of international law by an odious regime, a serial offender against human rights. Then, as now, a large section of the British media chose to remain essentially neutral in the struggle (or even exhibited sympathy with the enemy), questioning the validity of the British claims, and seeming to give equal weight to the words of the prime minister in Downing Street and the autocratic government on the other side. Then , as now, even gung-ho hardliners in Britain expressed grave doubts about the idea that there might be a military solution to the crisis.

In the current interpretation of history that is where the similarities end. The key difference, according to Tony Blair's critics in the UK, is that, whereas he wrings his hands and does nothing to halt this flagrant abuse of British rights and of the country's citizens, Margaret Thatcher, prime minister in 1982, boldly declared the outrage would not stand, assembled a massive naval task force to confront it and pulled off a magnificent military victory that restored international law and healed Britain's wounded pride.

[CitadelArmyJag]

Heard Baker on Hugh Hewitt yesterday... Thought his article was worthy of debate.

[bnelson44]

I like Newt's plan:

Tell Iran that their one gas refinery will not work starting at the end of the week, and they will not receive any new gas imports starting in 2 weeks if the hostages are not returned now.

Going to the UN will only delay any hostage release by weeks if not months.

[CitadelArmyJag]

I agree... It is also would constitute a proportionate response under Int'l law, as there would be prior warning of the attack which would allow the Iranians to prevent any loss of life.

Iran already said that if the Brits go to the UN they wont turn over the female prisoner.

[sono]

The irony here is palpable ... first, Iran complains to the UN about cartoons. Second, then AquaVelvaJad kidnaps British seamen. Whose behavior will prove ultimately more vile? The Mullahs or the feckless UN's?

[Barney Gumble]

What's scary is the amount of British people who either think it's Britian's fault, or worse, that its a grand ploy to start a war with Iran. (like Iran is complicited in the conspiracy to invade Iran).

Newt's plan is rational though obvious. I thought they should have immediately declared a blockade. Too bad that the British have been cutting their navy so much over the years, it's a shell of even the hodgepodge fleet that retook the Falklands.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=444500&in_page_id=1811&in_page_id=1811&ct=5&expand=true#StartComments

[delphirogatio]

There seems to be a glaring hole in the proposition the author is making: The author states that a mmore measured, slower, more diplomatic response, clearly highlighting the aggressor, will sway world opinion.

I think there must be at least a bit if Kool-Aid consumption necessary to sign off on that proposition.

[3AngelaD]

Freeze all their bank accounts, forbid all fights to and from Iran, blockade their ports and then let them decide what their next move will be. For starters.

[Chi-townChief]

1982 was the old "pip, pip, and let's have a war."

[Little Ray]

"Proportionate Response" is an asinine concept. The point of a response is to indicate to the enemy that he courting annihilation.
Also, doesn't invading the territorial waters of Iraq to kidnapping UK service members in constitute an act of war?

[Mr. Mojo]

What's scary is the amount of British people who either think it's Britian's fault, or worse, that its a grand ploy to start a war with Iran.

Frightening indeed. ....but predictable. As the above article mentions.....

Then [right before the Falklands War], as now, a large section of the British media chose to remain essentially neutral in the struggle (or even exhibited sympathy with the enemy), questioning the validity of the British claims, and seeming to give equal weight to the words of the prime minister in Downing Street and the autocratic government on the other side.

Western civilization is ill. ...perhaps terminally.

[Rutles4Ever]

That's a good observation. The premise that the world will side against the tyrant fails the test of recent history.

It really is instructive to watch the response of all the Islamo-pologists on the various UK news sites blaming Britain (and America, of course) for somehow provoking this. The despicable appeasers here and in the UK are going to reap the whirlwind. Unfortunately, we're all going to be in the crossfire.

[CitadelArmyJag]

You can call it asinine if you want -and I wont necessarily even disagree. However, I can tell you that under international law, which they highly regard, any reprisals must be proportionate to be legal.

[Froufrou]

"Margaret Thatcher, prime minister in 1982, boldly declared the outrage would not stand, assembled a massive naval task force to confront it and pulled off a magnificent military victory that restored international law and healed Britain's wounded pride."


And that is how it should be done. Ping to my UK FRiend.

[CitadelArmyJag]

Just consider it part of the idiocy and legalism that is taking constricting the west like a snake these days...

[Little Ray]

"Legal?"
Sometimes the monsters have the right answer: How many divisions (or carrier groups) can "International Law" muster?

[CremeSaver]

That's nothing compared to what is being written in the "Have Your Say" section in The Sun. Sun readers are impressed by how "humanely, gently, and kindly" their marines and sailors are being treated in Iran while at Gitmo muslim prisoners are being tortured and murdered.

I started to write a response, but I don't think they're worth the time and energy anymore.

[delphirogatio]

I just cannot process this continuing expectation on the parts of so many that logic or rationale will prevail in the face of an enemy so full of bovine, self-destructive hate. I saw the images of Palestinian grandmothers dancing in the street when my countrymen perished at the hands of this wickedness! Yet, people like this author go on thinking you could reason with blind hate.

[Froufrou]

I hope going to the UN causes nothing worse than delays!

However, isn't it in Britain's best interest to follow the proper chain of international command? Even if the UN is a pathetic joke?

[Mr. Mojo]

I started to write a response, but I don't think they're worth the time and energy anymore.

Smart move. Those who are determined to despise - read: envy - the U.S can't be swayed by facts and logic. They're diseased to the bone.

[uglybiker]

Whose behavior will prove ultimately more vile? The Mullahs or the feckless UN's?

Wherever there is trouble in the world, one can be secure in the knowledge that the U.N. will be right there.

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Doing absolutely nothing.

[CremeSaver]

There was a time when I thought that much of the anti-Americanism in Europe was due in part to some of their new immigrants. I don't think that anymore, it is widespread and mainstream in Britain and Europe amongst the ethnic Euros. I give up, and no longer care what they do. Human to human, however, I don't wish them any harm.

[tobyhill]

New letter from the female hostage has been addressed to the House of Commons asking them to withdraw forces from Iraq.

[green iguana]

It's not so much anti-Americanism as it is anti-Westernism. How can they like us when they don't even like themselves?

[Jalapeno]

no, you're just listening to the squeaky wheels there...DU prospects, thats all.

[NoBullZone]

>Tell Iran that their one gas refinery will not work starting at the end of the week, and they will not receive any new gas imports starting in 2 weeks if the hostages are not returned now.

I'd make one tweak - in week one take out their offloading facility for gasoline, week 2 the refinery. A little cleaner than a blockade that might involve ships of other nations.

[alarm rider]

Yes, I agree that a blocade should be started. Also, I think they have a couple of islands out there, take those. Massive fly-overs and an announcement that all non-English citizens now in England must leave or face arrest should be considered. They have to get tough because in truth, they blew it when they did not defend their service people.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

International Chain of Command??????????

Not to put too fine a point on it but these is no such thing and going to the UN is giving the UN power over the UK. The UN has outlived its usefulness and needs to be dismantled and replaced.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

At least the Brits could send what's left of their navy to the area in a show of force. Don't they have a carrier or two left? Maybe we could offer to sell (or give) them a few ships or gunboats. They could at least send a submarine or two. Even if they are not used the deployment would send a message.

[humint]

NOW & THEN

S/RES/1723 (2006) Calling upon the international community, particularly countries in the region and Iraq’s neighbours, to support the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability, security, democracy, and prosperity, and noting that the successful implementation of this resolution will contribute to regional stability, Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War - Article 17 Every prisoner of war, when questioned on the subject, is bound to give only his surname, first names and rank, date of birth, and army, regimental, personal or serial number, or failing this, equivalent information. If he wilfully infringes this rule, he may render himself liable to a restriction of the privileges accorded to his rank or status.

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson 1797 was a full year for Nelson. On 14 February he was largely responsible for the British victory at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. Here he showed his flair for dramatic and bold action. Under the command of Sir John Jervis, the British fleet was ordered to "tack in line," but Nelson disobeyed these orders and wore ship to alter course and prevent the Spanish fleet from escaping. He then boarded two enemy ships in succession, an unusual and bold move which was cheered by the whole fleet. Nelson himself led the boarding parties, which was not usually done by high ranking officers. In the aftermath of this victory, Nelson was knighted as a member of the Order of the Bath (hence the postnominal initials "KB"). In April of the same year he was promoted to Rear Admiral of the Blue, the ninth highest rank in the Royal Navy.

[3AngelaD]

I can only imagine how many of those Sun readers who wrote about the "humane" treatment are wearing towels on their heads as we speak. This is a deliberate propagana ploy directed by mullahs in the UK or I will eat my hat. It is humane only in the sense that they haven't cut off their heads yet.

[Froufrou]

I agree the UN is pointless. But there are steps to be taken, negotiations to be made. Failing that would only bring us closer to red button time.

[RightWhale]

by an odious regime

That's casus belli right there.

[Barney Gumble]

That's nothing compared to what is being written in the "Have Your Say" section in The Sun

Actually I think there are more idiotic comments in the Daily Mail article, as no one thought it was a US/UK conspiracy to invade Iran. However it's close. I do wonder why she wrote the letter and said that they were in Iranian waters. Isn't it name, rank, and serial number? I understand when civilians convert to Islam when they have guns pointed at them, but should the Royal Marines be different. The commander of the Cornwall is no Nelson, and Faye is certainly no Wing Commander Yeo-Thomas. (google him) http://www.thesun.co.uk/mysun/comment/list.page?storyId=2007140631&nav=jump&pageNo=2

[jveritas]

With Iran, the only solution is a military one, it should have been the case since 1979.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

Then let us press the button and turn the place into a glass crater. Let us show terrorists the TRUE face of terror.

[Froufrou]

Works for me. The 'kinder, gentler' New World Order will fail with lunatics like this in it, anyway.

[tobyhill]

I heard last night that the British Navy has been slashed by 2/3rds over the past 10 years and now they are basically impotent. The "soccer thugs" have left the military leaving it to the puppies. What we are witnessing is the death of Europe and the death of the Anglican/Saxon society. About 15 years ago I trained in Germany with some Royal Irish Rangers and at that time we were discussing their fear about how things were becoming because of some loosening of certain entrance restrictions and wimpified politicians. It looks like they were exactly correct.

[justa-hairyape]

The British actually lost quite a few ships in retaking the Falklands. Here is a link posted by another Freeper yesterday.

Falklands War UK Ship Damage

Primary British strength lies in their nuclear submarines. They can annihilate the entire Middle East if they wanted to. Unfortunately these Iranian Mullah fanatics are not afraid of being nuked or eventually even using nukes.

[OldArmy52]

Well, maybe the Royal Marines know the level of support they can expect from their govt and consequently are just trying to cut the best deal they can from the Iranians?

[Barney Gumble]

The British actually lost quite a few ships in retaking the Falklands.

Yeah, but that's irrelevent. They had a small fleet then, and have a smaller fleet now. It's only going to get harder for them to mount any sort of fleet.