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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| If Tehran Knew |
| 2007-01-16 |
| by Ahmed Al-Rabei In America, they lie for tactical reasons, stating over and over that military action against Iran is unlikely. However in Iran, out of ignorance, they reiterate that American military action against their country is impossible because the US is "unable" to do so! We say and hope our analysis is wrong. A possible military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities is in the final stages. Unless a political miracle occurs that revives the halted dialog between Iran and the international community, Iran and its neighboring countries should not be surprised by a scenario that includes American military action. There are a number of common illusions in the Arab and Muslim mind in general, illusions that on several occasions in the past have been tried and proven unsuccessful. It was proven that the Arabs confuse their hopes with reality, and between what the other wants and what we think they are planning for. There is an illusion that Iran is a huge military state with decisive striking power. This would be true if Iran was to confront one of its neighbors, but the fact is that in any confrontation between America and Iran, Iran would be a tiny helpless state. It will suffer what the Arabs suffered in 1967 and what Iraq suffered when Saddam stubbornly rejected all peaceful solutions. America will be able to impose its conditions. This has nothing to do with love or hatred. Geographically and historically, Iran is closer to us than America, and the cultural and historical relations we have with Iran outweigh our ties with America. Rather it is the facts, reality that show that the balances of power tilt flagrantly in favor of the United States and the Western alliance, particularly the European one! Another illusion is that America is "rolling in the Iraqi mud." I wish that the Arab world would not believe such a statement; Iraq is not another Vietnam, and America is able to conduct more than one war because of its huge political and technological capabilities. Tehran needs to reconsider its political discourse. The clamor of hollow threats has not succeeded once in modern history. No one ever succeeded without using one's mind and knowing one's capabilities and acting accordingly, pursuant to the rule "God favors those who know their self worth". Israel has a nuclear arsenal but no Israeli official dares to mention Israel's possessions of nuclear weapons; they even deny the existence of these weapons. In Tehran, they are still in the early stages of enrichment; yet we hear a language of threats, menace and stubbornness. If only the Iranian leadership thinks of the interests of its peoples, seeks to understand today's complicated international political equations and realizes that big words do not change political facts and that seeking practical alternatives and solutions with the international community is more feasible and useful than the antiquated words that think that louder voices mean a stronger argument! |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #6 A possible military strike against Iranian nuclear facilities is in the final stages. IMO, it damn well better be! |
| Posted by: xbalanke 2007-01-16 18:43 |
| #5 Bomb. Qom. Bomb. Qom. Bomb. Qom. /Uma. Oprah. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2007-01-16 12:41 |
| #4 I heard something similar on a talk show recently. “If the U.S. wanted to destroy the countries of Iran and North Korea they could launch a LIMITED nuclear strike at each and the outcome would be determined in minutes. It is also true that if the U.S. wanted to severely cripple the economies and infrastructures of both countries our Air Power could start the task at 6:00 am and be finished by lunch. But whom do you hear the loudest pronouncements of aggression?” Not a direct quote but it’s pretty much the gist of it. I would add that there is no political will to perform either of the tasks listed above. While it might bring about rapid political change in each country, the bulk of the world would gasp if we shut the lights out in Iran to send them a message. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2007-01-16 10:52 |
| #3 The mullahs wont get the message, they'd love nothing better. They would thrive in a climate of fear, hardship and desperation. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2007-01-16 08:14 |
| #2 Another illusion is that America is "rolling in the Iraqi mud." I wish that the Arab world would not believe such a statement; Iraq is not another Vietnam, and America is able to conduct more than one war because of its huge political and technological capabilities. Will someone tell the Democrats this? |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2007-01-16 05:36 |
| #1 Screw Iran. Bomb them back into the Stone Age. Make Iran, from the Caspian to the Straits of Hormuz, as lightless at night as is North Korea. Then maybe the mullahs will get the message. |
| Posted by: mac 2007-01-16 04:16 |