30 January 2007


Hitch-Up The Horses: Tehran Here We Come!

Over the past few days the world has not ceased to surprise anyone, much less myself. In the foreign arena, Iran has been a bit “busy.” The Pentagon is investigating the likely hood of an Iran connection to the January 20th attacks in Karbala, Iraq on a military compound. Five U.S. soldiers died in the attacks which were originally thought to have been the work of Iraqi insurgents. Yet, further review of the attacks suggests that Tehran may have been involved in the attacks. U.S. officials believe that the attacks were far too sophisticated for any Iraqi insurgent group to have carried out, which suggests that the Iranians were involved on some level. Iran is by far the most powerful nation in the Middle East with the most refined military capabilities, especially the Iranian Revolutionary Guard who are a highly trained military force similar to U.S. Special Forces.

If Iran is behind the U.S. deaths, there will be a good possibility the U.S. may aim to punish Tehran. A habitual ground war is not likely due the massive strain the U.S. military is under, but other options are available, including strikes on their nuclear facilities. Even though many of Iran’s nuclear facilities have been relocated underground since the international community has spoke out in defiance, the U.S. does have the capabilities to take out such subversive structures. But the downside is an attack on Iranian soil would disrupt the world’s oil supply, as they have the capabilities for an offensive within the Persian Gulf. If that were to occur, the price of oil could easily make it over $100 a barrel. Oil prices that high could quite literally leave the U.S. “high and dry.” The U.S. has moved more fire power to the Persian Gulf in the form of more warships in a show of force, signaling a possible strike.

Obviously, a military strike against Iran would not be a keen move right now. If we are drawn into a ground battle with the Iranians, we are going to be overwhelmed even more so than we are now. Congress and EU countries have suggested that the Bush Administration engage in diplomatic talks with Iran to work out an understanding. But the Bush Administration refuses to engage in talks with Tehran, which is rather typical of the president. His love of the status quo is even detrimental to his own war with Iraq. It is imperative that we deal with one rouge nation at a time; not the whole damn world at once. Never the less, it would be tidy to deal with the Iranians in specific concern to Iraq. Washington has been accusing Iran of training and arming Shiite insurgent groups, which is why diplomatic talks may facilitate better relations.

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