Posted on 01/15/2007 7:50:07 AM PST by maquiladora
Increased US military activity in the Gulf is aimed at Iran's "very negative" behaviour, the Bush administration said today.
The defence secretary, Robert Gates, told reporters that the decision to deploy a Patriot missile battalion and a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf in conjunction with a "surge" of troops in Iraq was designed to show Iran that the US was not "overcommitted" in Iraq.
Speaking in Brussels after meeting Nato officials, Mr Gates said: "We are simply reaffirming that statement of the importance of the Gulf region to the United States and our determination to be an ongoing strong presence in that area for a long time into the future."
Mr Gates, who as recently as 2004 publicly called for diplomatic engagement with Iran, said the situation was now different. In 2004, Iran was concerned by the presence of US forces on its eastern and western borders, in Iraq and Afghanistan, but its behaviour had changed.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
A lot of people are speculating that these banks of Patriot missles are in preparation of our attack on Iran. I hate war, but I would hate a nuclear armed Iran more. When madmen like Almahanjeed promise destruction of the Jews it's time to pull the plug on his regime.
Some (me) might say these activities constitute negotiating with Iran.
I'm kinda surprised they came right out and said that
We have been preparing for Iran ever since we got to Iraq. Look at the globe and think about it.
Strategic thinking is lost on the left.
Had these people been around in 1945, they would have demanded the impeachment of Truman for not telling the American people about atomic bomb.
If only GWB had the same spine to tackle the RATS on domestic issues.
It is characteristic of the Bush family to appease race pimps and tax/spend Liberals, and fail to confront the Left and RINOs with media savvy, streetwise ridicule and projection of power.
A failed strategy and Bush continues to ignore the lesson of history.
On the foreign front, he has done far better projecting American values and resolve, but has a habit of undermining his premise at critical junctures, like admonishing Israelis for retaliation against terrorists, and protecting Sadr.
At least on the foreign front he eventually sees the light.
Coming to a TV near you - War In Iraq 2007 (my guess is March/April).
the decision to deploy a Patriot missile battalion and a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf <<
DUH!...Who woulda thunk it!!!
If losing Congress was the failure of whatever stealth strategy you are referring to, let's RETHINK that approach, STAT!
Not if the Dhimmicrats have anything to say about it!
Iran Before our upcoming Victory:
Iran After our upcoming Victory:
Over the past week, the U.S. Navy has given orders to the U.S.S. John Stennis carrier battle group, based in Bremerton, WA, to steam toward the Persian Gulf, where it will join the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Navy sources say the Pentagon is getting ready to announce the dispatch of a third carrier battle group – the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan – from San Diego. That will make three carrier battle groups in the region starting at around the end of January.
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Oh, and along with them is the amphibious assault group led by the U.S.S. Boxer, which can land several thousand U.S. Marines to seize and destroy strategic sites near the coast at a moment’s notice. (Busheir? Bandar Abbas? Jask? The three Persian Gulf islands Iran seized from the UAE in the 1990s and has since fortified to harass Gulf shipping? Your pick).
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