Knowing how the region, not just Iran, works, I am not surprised by the response.
There is lots of suspicion of outsiders in many middle eastern countries – bordering on xenophobia.
With such strong feelings and opinions, some people’s thinking gets rigid and some don’t really listen to what is going on.
You can tell them again and again, but they just don’t believe you.
For example, one notion going around years ago was that the U.S. was planning on invading the entire middle east after they took over Iraq.
I kid you not.
After explaining again and again that logistics alone would make that crazy, that there were not enough troops to do it, that it would cost too much, that there just was no strategic interest in some regions and countries to make it worthwhile – it had no effect on my debate opponents.
What can you do, faced with that thinking?
Ignorance, my friend, is the enemy. Everywhere.
Conspiracy fantasies exist even without late night talk-radio?
Or Tea Partiers?
Or Glenn Beck?
Or Birchers?
Or old Nesletters from Ron Paul?
Or anti-Obama birthers, passporters, and other domestic viral opponents of the Democratic administration?
The fact is that conspiracy fears are instigated to frighten and direct the masses, and neither the well-educated Iranians nor the well-educated Americans are fooled by the Rev. Guard words..
But children, the aged, the unlettered among all populations are swayed by well-broadcast fear-campaigns. In Aug., 1945, I was 6 and read of Hitler’s escape to Argentina, along with hundreds of Nazis and tons of gold on secret submarines. Scared many.
Hollywood filmmakers in the Gulf of Oman and faked film of the rescue this week are also implausible but raising them might frighten or convince others. That is why the foreign minister’s remarks hearten all who hope cool heads may someday prevent atomic exchanges or mass bombings in the Middle East.
“The thinking seems to be that if we just bomb her, she’ll start being more reasonable. As I recall, the Japanese had similar notions about Pearl Harbor.”
Your recollection, to say the least, is ludicrous.
The Japanese knew full well that the attack upon Pearl Harbor would awaken the sleeping giant, and that it would incite the vast majority of US citizens to desire war… which it did. They in no way believed that the attack would make the US “reasonably” come to the table to sue for peace.
The attack was intended as a “knock-out” of the Pacific fleet to negate US Navy counteractions to their Imperialistic actions/desires in the entire region. Had they destroyed the US carrier groups, they may well have succeeded.
But don’t let the facts deter you when drawing an analogy.
The US et al, has been at war, unofficially, with Iran since 1979. For good or ill, the likelihood of it soon becoming official, is quite high.
‘For example, one notion going around years ago was that the U.S. was planning on invading the entire middle east after they took over Iraq.
I kid you not. ‘
There was another one too: that we intended to make Iraq into ‘a secular democracy with a tilt towards Israel.’
No foolin.’ And in point of fact, I haven’t noticed considerations of feasibility, realism, or cost interfering much with our decision-making in the Middle East.
We’re perfectly capable of at least attempting to invade the entire Middle East. That it would be a catastrophe for all concerned isn’t an obstacle — nor would it prevent us trying it on.
After all, at the moment we are in all seriousness threatening to attack Iran. The thinking seems to be that if we just bomb her, she’ll start being more reasonable. As I recall, the Japanese had similar notions about Pearl Harbor.
At least we’re still communicating. The majority of people in every country get along and live side-by-side with each other in peace and mutual respect. Iran has every right to pursue nuclear energy. Only transparency is lacking. (I note that even though Saddam offered to allow the US Army to inspect the entire country– even though he himself offered to leave Iraq– Junior Bush was determined to invade in violation of treaty and law.) As long as Israel is caged by enemies, it’s best ideals will be twisted into ferocity and it’s enemies will be persecuted. Jordan thinks itself immune from Palestinians it ejected. Iran cannot believe it will survive a confrontation with US. Talking, not killing, is the smart move. There is much to gain by co-existence, excluding threats. Ahmanidiotjob is desperate to consolidate gains predicated on oppression. Time will overcome his and the mullahs’ tyranny. In every country, we, the people, must prevail.
I haven’t heard anyone in the government ‘crowing’. I’ve heard a lot of well-earned appreciation for the bravery and skill of the US Navy personnel.
This wasn’t simply a sea rescue as a result of a vessel in obvious distress. The Kidd followed up on what they perceived as suspect behavior with a subtle and measured response, saving the lives of the Iranian fishermen and taking the Somali pirates into custody without firing a shot. And all the while respecting the complex political complexities involved in dealing with an Iranian ship.
When professionals are at work, it just looks easy. It isn’t.
As far as the belligerence of the Iranian government, perhaps a simple and sincere ‘Thank you’ should have been the appropriate response?
Both of the Iranian gentlemen quoted are correct. It was indeed a positive humanitarian act. And it was fairly routine if you disregard the rarity of the opportunity. The US Navy is well prepared to conduct such operations at any time. It is their duty to respond to lawless acts at sea and the nationality of the victims is not a consideration. The navies of other nations follow the same protocol.
Our government officials (and the press) should state those facts simply and get on with other business. Crowing about the event should be confined to the story of our good fortune in capturing some pirates in the act.
It would be a good opportunity to kiss and make up, or at least lower the temperature a bit.
…if either side was remotely interested in such a thing. I suspect they’re not. The current regime in Iran must find ‘Iran under siege’ a very convenient device for demanding national unity and excusing all economic failures, while for our part, Obama seems to feel it’s imperative that he demonstrate how tough he can be with gratuitous saber-rattling.
For both parties, this incident is a minor hiccup. They’ll get over it and get back to their mutually beneficial confrontation in no time.
…and if the Republican challenger poses enough of a threat, we’ll even bomb them. And they will retaliate to the best of their ability. And gas will go to $7 a gallon, and most of the world’s economies will tank, and quite a few people will die, and we’ll all feel quite self-righteous.
The crucial point in this narrative is that the Iranian crew had the good sense to tell the pirates that the Americans were going to blow them out of the water — THAT is what led to the quick resolution. If it had been left to the Americans — undoubtedly brave, but hobbled by nonsensical legalistic restrictions in dealing with pirates — we would still be negotiating with the pirates. The Americans acted in properly and in accordance with their rules, but the quick resolution is a result of the Iranian captain’s understanding of how to deal with pirates.
If we could co-exist with the nuclear-armed Soviet Union for a half century without going to war, we ought to be able to co-exist with a half-baked Iran as well. Where is the profit in constantly being at odds with these Middle Eastern nations? Why not a policy of benign neglect? If they attack us (so unlikely as to be almost a complete fantasy), then we should retaliate by the most direct possible means.
But if they don’t attack us, for God’s sake, leave them alone!
This is really a rather trivial story. Naval vessel happens on a fishing boat seized by pirates, rescues fishing boat.
However, that it’s getting so much attention — and that the mildly interesting but essentially unremarkable details are being recited in such exhaustive detail — is perhaps a good sign.
The subtext seems to be, ‘why are we on the verge of war with Iran, anyway?’ It betrays a desire to find a peaceful solution.
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