Iran marches on

NY Post ^ | October 14, 2010 | Amir Taheri

[Scanian]

Beyond providing TV foot age of welcoming throngs of Hezbollah supporters, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon this week served a number of purposes -- none good.

First, it underlined Tehran's claim to be the dominant foreign power in Lebanon. In an unprecedented scene, virtually all Lebanese political leaders gathered at the presidential palace in Beirut to pay their respects to a man who finances most of them. (It is no secret that Hezbollah is no longer the only Lebanese outfit to be bankrolled by Iran.)

Asserting Iran's dominance in Lebanon is of geopolitical importance for the Islamic Republic's leadership. Already strongly present in Iraq, where its allies (the Sadrists, who follow Muqtada al-Sadr) are seeking the lion's share in a new coalition government, Iran is also the patron of Syria's Ba'athist regime. Adding Lebanon and Iraq to Syria would give Iran a direct corridor to the Mediterranean for the first time since the 7th century.

Second, the visit demonstrated that Iran now has a "border" with Israel. Ahmadinejad's assertion that any attack on Hezbollah will be regarded as an attack on Iran hammered in that point. He also insisted on visiting a number of Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon close to the Israeli border.

Third, the visit advanced Iran's claim to be leading a new "rejection front" of states and movements dedicated to Israel's destruction. This makes it even more difficult for the Syrian rulers and the Hamas leadership in Gaza to consider any negotiations with Israel.

By seizing control of the Arab-Israeli conflict, which has nothing to do with Iran, Ahmadinejad hopes to strengthen his position in coming negotiations with America and other nations over Tehran's nuclear program.

[1010RD]

So we’ve lost Iraq to Iran?

[EQAndyBuzz]

“So we’ve lost Iraq to Iran?”

Apparently.

Thanks Obama.

[thethirddegree]

eyond providing TV foot age of welcoming throngs of Hezbollah supporters, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to Lebanon this week

When I saw the crowds cheering nutjob, all I could think of was what a wonderful opportunity for a tactical nuke.

[Netz]

By sitting idly by and occasionally shooting nasty glances at Iran we have allowed them to step into a new arena - along the Israeli northern border. This is VERY BAD news as it means soon, Iran will create another provocation whereby Israel will have to respond in force all the while BHO and Hilliary bite their nails and make more gestures...we are losing on all fronts, not just the Lebanese one. The world's rogue leaders know who they are dealing with in BHO...

[1010RD]

Yes, I don’t understand the kid-gloves treatment with Iran and I never have.

I pity Israel, but don’t understand why we won’t develop our own energy reserves. Between oil, coal and nuclear the US could be sitting pretty and still strongly support liberty in the Middle-East.

What I believe has happened/is happening is that the Saudis learned better after Abscam and have moved to aggressively undermine our Republic. Liberals and the communists have simply primed the pump, so to speak.

[Scanian]

I thought the rose petals being thrown at him were a real touch of class. /s