Posted on 11/18/2006 10:15:36 AM PST by PghBaldy
As the American President George W. Bush steps up threatening rhetoric against Iran to force it suspend its nuclear program, calling for worldwide isolation of Tehran until it “gives up its nuclear ambitions,” experts predict that the coming days would see a much violent step by Washington against the Islamic Republic.
What asserts the experts’ fears is the fact that on October 31, two nuclear-powered carriers, the USS Eisenhower and USS Enterprise, arrived in Bahrain, accompanied by their carrier strike groups. And on November 9th, the USS Iwo Jima, and the USS Boxer also arrived.
Is President Bush up to something? Asked Rense.com
On October 11, American officials announced that the U.S., Bahrain and other states will hold their first naval exercise in the Gulf to practice interdicting ships carrying weapons of mass destruction and missiles.
The exercises, organized under the U.S.-led 66-member Proliferation Security Initiative and the first to be based in the Gulf near Bahrain, across from Iran, came as Washington and the European Union member states are pushing for imposing sanctions including possible interdiction of ships on North Korea, following its announcement of carrying out nuclear test, and on Iran, which the U.S., backed by Israel and the EU, claims is preparing to produce nuclear weapons.
Iran considers Washington- sponsored war games in the Persian Gulf, off the Iranian coastline as a provocation aimed at creating a situation of direct confrontation between the U.S. and Iranian naval forces in the Persian Gulf, although a senior U.S. official insisted that the exercise is not aimed specifically at Iran.
About the exercises, which experts say reinforces a U.S. strategy aimed at strengthening America’s ties with the Gulf states, which Tehran and Washington are engaged in a fierce competition to win influence over, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity claimed:
"It’s an effort to bring a lot of Gulf states together to demonstrate resolve and readiness to act against proliferation."
"Reports say the U.S.-led naval exercises based near Bahrain will practise intercepting and searching ships carrying weapons of mass destruction and missiles.
Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted an unnamed foreign ministry official as describing the military manoeuvres as dangerous and suspicious. The Iranian foreign ministry official said the U.S.-led exercises were not in line with the security and stability of the region. Instead, they are aimed at fomenting crises, he said." (quoted in BBC, 23 October 2006)
But some analysts reject the idea that the U.S. plans for another war while its army is struggling in Iraq after the situation there worsened beyond the Bush administration and its war allies’ expectations.
The Proliferation Security Initiative is a global initiative, launched in 2003 under President George W. Bush with the aim of stopping shipments of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), includes a group of countries willing to share intelligence information to combat proliferation of WMD, including through military exercises.
North Korea has already announced having nuclear weapons capability, but Iran rejects the United States and other major powers’ accusations that its developing a nuclear weapons program, insisting its nuclear program is solely aimed at peaceful purposes, including power generation.
Thanks! It perfectly captures my love of chocolate and my distain for clueless EnviroWackos. :)
Yeah, it's a "packaged & sanatized tour." There's plenty of stuff that civilians don't need to know about concerning our military. ;)
As it should be. When the answer to some of the questions asked was, "that's classified", it was always said politely & with a smile. I think the kids were most impressed by the basketball hoop in the lower deck.
If they try that, the only way you will be able to see the Iranian navy is with a glass bottom boat.
Aljazeera gets news from Jeff Rense. Can't beat that.
They have a subway sandwich shop in the pentagon..bet they have a pizza place too.
I am more worried about how many Chinese subs are there, since we don't seem to be able to detect them until they surface.
Misleading title. The headline says four carriers, then goes on to name two carriers and two amphibs.
Thanks to Xlinton!!!
Since Ohio-class SSBNs don't have to leave port to hit any target on the globe, I can't see that it matters much where they are. :)
That picture is a little outdated since the election, isn't it?
If you go to Navy.mil, You can see pictures of the Enterprise coming in to Norfolk. It is so impressive to see all the sailors in their dress blues manning the rail. My husband served on the Enterprise in the 60's. He said coming back to the ship after a day in some port the Enterprise looked so big sitting in the harbor. He felt enormous pride in the Big E, and still does to this day.
I figured, but have been told they aren't open 24/7. My comment had to do with that tidbit's inclusion in the list. The possibility of having illegal aliens working in jobs which would be in the loop crossed my mind.
Amen Brother, Better duck tho many here think GW is a great warrior.
Bibi has been right for years. The Israelis made the same mistake our rats have by ousting him some years ago. I think we'd have a much different picture in the ME right now if the Israelis had stuck to their guns the way we need to do NOW. Sadly, thanks to rat propaganda and the media, we blinked. I hope Bush hangs tough......for once.
So many interesting things to learn on FR.
"I didn't see any mention of it in the American hit piece article, but didn't go to the source to check. Did I miss a mention of it?"
I remember reading it quite a while ago - a week or two.
"Misleading title. The headline says four carriers, then goes on to name two carriers and two amphibs"....
Al Jazeera is the source.
They are the greatest liers in the media
next to the media here!!!
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