Article

2007-03-27 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Thromort Pheresh4185 2007-03-27 09:11|| || Front Page|| [10 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1
From the BBC: "The prime minister's official spokesman said Mr Blair's remarks about a "different phase" did not refer to any extreme diplomatic action, such as expelling Iranian diplomats from Britain or military action."

Funnier than anything I could make up...

Posted by Master of Obvious 2007-03-27 09:50|| 2007-03-27 09:50|| Front Page Top

#2 Muslims dont listen to anything but force.I thourght Blair would have learnt by now!!!!

Posted by Ebbolump Glomotle9608 2007-03-27 09:52|| 2007-03-27 09:52|| Front Page Top

#3 Michael Ledeen on the Laura Ingraham show this morning: [Brits] got what they deserved over this [jaw-jaw] silliness.

Posted by eLarson 2007-03-27 09:55|| http://larsonian.blogspot.com]">[http://larsonian.blogspot.com] 2007-03-27 09:55|| Front Page Top

#4 Is the "different phase" breath holding, or stomping your feet? Combination of both?

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2007-03-27 09:59|| 2007-03-27 09:59|| Front Page Top

#5 Oh, don't be so snarky. A 'different phase' means sending diplomatic messages on the expensive stationary. You will know the situation is coming to a head when they start writing with the serious pen nib.

Posted by SteveS 2007-03-27 11:06|| 2007-03-27 11:06|| Front Page Top

#6 If I weren't so saddened by it, I'd be intrigued by just what the Brits think they're doing with their inept "go softly" b.s. It reaches ridiculous lengths - in B'dad I had one former British officer educating me on how the .50 cal was inappropriate armament for convoy gun trucks (too big for an urban environment, you see). He didn't propose bean-bag rounds to stop large explosives-laden trucks, but that would have been consistent with the spirit of the lecture.

The US and Brits are to be lauded for their (secret, judging my media "reporting" on kinetic ops) incredibly cautious approach to use of force when non-combatants may be at risk - though that has also clearly gone much too far in some cases.

But how is allowing your military forces to be unlawfully seized by other military forces, leading to a huge international confrontation, a savvy move to avoid "escalation"? As I've whined here forever, the US has out-smarted itself in many ways in ~~fighting managing experimenting with~~ conducting the war, but this particular British incompetence is embarrassing.

Great allies and a fine military, and a generally savvy player on the world stage - let's hope this incident may lead to a posture allowing the Brits to again apply their great capabilities for their own and the west's benefit.

Posted by Verlaine 2007-03-27 11:07|| 2007-03-27 11:07|| Front Page Top

#7 that was supposed to be "(secret, judging by media 'reporting' .....)"

Posted by Verlaine 2007-03-27 11:10|| 2007-03-27 11:10|| Front Page Top

#8 Important point to remember...

Azar Nafisi, the author of Reading Lolita in Tehran,' quoted a former colleague in Tehran who compared dealing with the Islamic Republic to playing chess with a monkey. In the middle of the game, the monkey picks up your queen and swallows it,' she said. Then what are you going to do? You are dealing with a country that is not going to follow your rules.'

Posted by tu3031 2007-03-27 13:34|| 2007-03-27 13:34|| Front Page Top

#9 "In the middle of the game, the monkey picks up your queen and swallows it," she said. "Then what are you going to do?"

What you do is hoist the monkey up by its ankles and apply some piñata therapy for half an hour until it burps up the queen. Then you take that as a lesson to never again play chess with a monkey. Like the old saying goes:

Never try to teach a pig to sing; it frustrates you and annoys the pig.

Britain must abandon its futile hope that Iran is ever going to join the choir.

Posted by Zenster">Zenster 2007-03-27 13:45|| 2007-03-27 13:45|| Front Page Top

#10 "Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time ..."

Posted by mrp 2007-03-27 14:33|| 2007-03-27 14:33|| Front Page Top

#11 The State Department stupidity that "everything can be solved by diplomacy" has gotten more US Marines killed than any "enemy" in the last 30 years. The Brits just showed they're not immune to this tranzi bs. Start breaking harbors and oil facilities and see how fast you get your troops back. If the Iranians try to escalate, refresh their memory who's the baddest by nuking a couple of cities. In the end, they will either surrender, or there won't be anything left TO surrender. That's called "armed diplomacy". It worked until Truman decided NOT to win in Korea. Since then, the world has gone to sh$$. The US needs to return to Teddy Roosevelt's "big stick" approach, and teach these wannabees how things are done. Start with a couple of Marine divisions flushing State. In Britain, the Royal Marines need to flush Whitehall.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2007-03-27 14:59|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2007-03-27 14:59|| Front Page Top

#12 if they ARE going to do something militarily, is there any necessity to do it immediately? You do it immediately, it leaves a good part of the world thinking the Iranians were right, and your military isnt ready either (and Im willing to bet the Iranians had been planning this, so they are already ready) Why walk into an ambush, and look like the "aggressor" (to half the world, anyway) while youre at it.

When the Argentinians took the Falklands, the Brits did plenty of diplomacy, talking, offering Argentina a chance to back down peacefully. Meanwhile the Royal Navy got ready for action.

Last I heard, not many folks speaking Spanish in the Falklands.

In addition, it would not be wise to take actions that unnecessarily undermine the coalition for sanctions.

OTOH for the benefits of poorly planned hostage rescue missions in Iran, check Jimmy Carter. If hes not to busy plugging his book.

Posted by liberalhawk 2007-03-27 15:32|| 2007-03-27 15:32|| Front Page Top

#13 if they ARE going to do something militarily, is there any necessity to do it immediately? You do it immediately, it leaves a good part of the world thinking the Iranians were right, and your military isnt ready either (and Im willing to bet the Iranians had been planning this, so they are already ready) Why walk into an ambush, and look like the "aggressor" (to half the world, anyway) while youre at it.

When the Argentinians took the Falklands, the Brits did plenty of diplomacy, talking, offering Argentina a chance to back down peacefully. Meanwhile the Royal Navy got ready for action.

Last I heard, not many folks speaking Spanish in the Falklands.

In addition, it would not be wise to take actions that unnecessarily undermine the coalition for sanctions.

OTOH for the benefits of poorly planned hostage rescue missions in Iran, check Jimmy Carter. If hes not to busy plugging his book.

Posted by liberalhawk 2007-03-27 15:32|| 2007-03-27 15:32|| Front Page Top

#14 Why walk into an ambush, and look like the "aggressor" (to half the world, anyway) while youre at it.

No matter what, the west looks like the aggressor to half the world.

Last I heard, not many folks speaking Spanish in the Falklands.

And that sure as hell aint cuz'a no yackin.

Now, you're right about military action taking time.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-03-27 16:25|| 2007-03-27 16:25|| Front Page Top

#15 Last I heard, not many folks speaking Spanish in the Falklands

Heh, not so really. Lotta kelpers Habla, gotta do business my man, couple of folks give Spanish lessons.

Posted by Shipman">Shipman 2007-03-27 18:45|| 2007-03-27 18:45|| Front Page Top

#16 Nevermind LH.... Speaking as opposed to Speak.

Posted by Shipman">Shipman 2007-03-27 18:46|| 2007-03-27 18:46|| Front Page Top

#17 As a general rule, the Brits do not invoke COBRA unless MILITARY-SPECIFIC INTERVENTION = COLLUSION, etc. is being considered.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-03-27 23:23|| 2007-03-27 23:23|| Front Page Top

18:04 George Humping9486
19:20 Testerzvl
15:13 tu3031
06:38 antonyandruleit
23:57 Thraigum Bourbon8732
23:54 Zenster
23:51 JosephMendiola
23:47 JosephMendiola
23:46 Zenster
23:42 Zenster
23:36 JosephMendiola
23:33 JosephMendiola
23:31 JosephMendiola
23:24 JosephMendiola
23:23 JosephMendiola
23:19 JosephMendiola
23:17 USN, ret.
23:06 JosephMendiola
22:58 JosephMendiola
22:56 Sneaze
22:43 Jackal
22:19 John Frum
22:17 Jules
22:17 John Frum