A Bark From The Den……..
Without getting into partisan politics, the concluding sentence in this post from Blog-Iran needs to be answered right now. Solid plans for backing all who wish to help the Iranian people free themselves from that thugocracy of the too-tightly-twisted-turban-crowd™ will also go a long, long way towards winning the war against the terrorists, for the mullahs and ayatollahs are in the terrorist business up to their beady little eyeballs. Achieving both goals, each of which is worthy of strenuous effort, would be the best course for the free world to stay free. The politicians need to pay a lot more attention to this neglected piece of the puzzle starting right now.
I’d say attention should have been paid for decades. But the past is past. Starting right now would be an excellent thing.
Comment by Freedom is worth the price — 18 Oct, 2004 @ 20:01
Iran is, certainly, a different animal from Iraq. There is much hidden support for the US among the “great unwashed.” And, if I were to wager a bet, I would say that the CIA is dusting off those internal insurrection manuals that they used to play with back in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.
The Reformists had taken a siesta for a while…but for the first time in ages, the Iranian students were out in the street by the thousands demonstrating for Democracy (rare). That’s until the Basij showed up and started knocking heads.. Unfortunately, this time the domestic population will have give more of a sign of being enthustiastic about US assistance in their endeavor…
Cheers
Comment by IR — 18 Oct, 2004 @ 22:01
Keep an eye on the democratizing of Iraq and Afghanistan.
I am afraid a President Kerry will doom any Iranian revolt.
Iran is, in effect, surrounded by democracies after the Janunary electiions in Iraq.
Pray that they remain, the electees, in tact for a year, then you will see a BIG change in Iraq in that they will be emboldened to oust the Ayatollas.
Having the American military on either side, in no small degree, will be helpful if for no other way than their presence.
My chrystal ball only works if President Bush is reelecterd, of course.
Comment by Bill Ewing — 19 Oct, 2004 @ 03:40
Correction: “Pray that they remain, the electees, in tact for a year, then you will see a BIG change in Iraq in that they will be emboldened to oust the Ayatollas.”
Should read: “Pray that they remain, the electees, in tact for a year, then you will see a BIG change in IRAN in that they will be emboldened to oust the Ayatollas.”
Sorry!!!
Comment by Bill Ewing — 19 Oct, 2004 @ 03:43
Yes, Iran is getting squeezed rather nicely. Wonder if their Kurds will start getting itchy now that Iraqi Kurdistan is going so well.
Comment by Andrew Ian Dodge — 19 Oct, 2004 @ 09:27
Gosh, you’d think that pressure on Iran from Iraq (and on Syria and Saudi too) might have been planned to be one result of our campaign in Iraq? Nah, Bush and Rummy couldn’t have been looking that far ahead when they went in. They could not have planned putting a US Army in the Central Position (Napoleon’s favorite strategy) between the major terrorism-supporting states of the Middle East, could they? Everybody knows what utter morons they are, and that would imply foresight and intelligence. Couldn’t be.
(sarcasm off)
A base in the ME to threaten terrorist states there as one goal of the Iraq Campaign is one of the reasons for that campaign, and has been an obvious one for three years. Why can none of the LLLs complaining that it was a diversion from the WOT read a map?
I am afraid that there will have to be a war to overthrow the mullahs. We should support a guerilla war against them from bases in Iraq, provding an active sanctuary for the Iranian guerilla fighters. Our SF can train and equip them too. With luck, the Iranians, with our help, can overthrow the mullahs. I don’t know how long it will take, but it probably will not come soon enough to prevent an Iranian bomb unless there is a quick and catastrophic collapse of Iranian army morale and fighting capabilities. Suggestions for achieving that goal are eagarly awaited.
Comment by Michael Lonie — 19 Oct, 2004 @ 22:58