That’s the best way to describe the Islamic Republic’s latest move against the United States and its Iraqi ally. The Iranians came across the border (which they contest) and claimed an oil well. Nothing new, you might say. And you’d be right. The U.S. government is downplaying its significance:.
“There has been no violence related to this incident and we trust this will be resolved through peaceful diplomacy between the governments of Iraq and Iran,” a US military spokesman told AFP at Contingency Operating Base Adder, just outside the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.
“The oil field is in disputed territory in between Iranian and Iraqi border forts,” he said, adding that such incidents occur quite frequently.
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Indeed, we’ve downplayed far more serious Iranian incursions into Iraq, including joint Iranian/Turkish invasions and bombing runs in Kurdistan which have killed dozens of Kurds. And you may recall that an American Special Forces unit was surrounded by Iranian troops a couple of years ago–again on the Iraqi side of the border–and had to kill a dozen or so of the would-be hostage takers. Sometimes they succeed in taking American hostages–there are now five in Iranian claws–and we quietly make deals for their release. Sometimes our citizens are murdered, and we do nothing.
So today’s event is part of a well established pattern: Iran attacks us and our friends and allies, and we look away. This is the theme of Accomplice to Evil. Just as we dithered and “negotiated,” as the Nazis prepared the Second World War, and then as the Soviets prepared the Cold War, so we have dithered for thirty years as the Islamic Republic has waged war against us. Do not think for a minute that this sort of appeasement is unique to Obama; the unique thing about the current phase is that we are so open about it.
Can we say appeasement? Yes, I knew we could.
This administration wants to make America (i.e., Freedom) weaker, and it is succeeding pretty well.
A president who calls the police STUPID and says that we “must not jump to conclusions” when a muslim terrorist murders American Warriors is EVIDENTLY going to do the same, on a larger scale, in his foreign policy.
And the “same” is what ?
Helping our enemies, attacking our friends.
This administration is fast in attacking Israel in any possible way, but it is not saying anything against the murderers and the movers of international terrorism.
NOTICE TO NORTH KOREA: it’s your occasion to conquer South Korea, stupid !
NOTICE TO CHINA: TAIWAN is now yours !
NOTICE TO PUTIN: …(Putin needs no notice, he knows).
May our prayers keep us open to the Light of God.
Surely this provocation is a casus belli, and with American troops in Iraq in significant numbers, it can only be aimed at the United States.
Iran is testing our will. It’s gauged the mentality of the Obama Administration as favorable to its advance; this incursion is an attempt to confirm that judgment.
If the Administration does not respond with overwhelming force, Iran will subjugate Iraq before 2010 is over…and the expenditure of over 3000 American lives and half a trillion dollars will have been for nothing.
Havel’s got it right… that’s not the index finger the mullahs are extending.
Mr. Ledeen: is it safe to assume you hate the Iranian government but love the Iranian people?
While I pro-invading iran just because… overall this is a minor event.
The real event is how its responded and what/how iran views that response.
The more important factor is bombing this morons as they cross the border… not attacking them after they left.
Watch now as the amazing o does absolutely nothing. Peace in our time, I suppose?
Lets hope the Iranian people have the balls that the worlds governments don’t.
M.L. should know better – no retaliation can be done now – we are in month of Muharram
Michael, those who follow Khameini &, Ahmadinezhad have as great a problem with credibility as the “Brezhnev era apparatchik” referred to by Daniel Hannan, in Hannan’s 3 and a half minute rebuttal of British Prime Minister Brown, at the European Parliament, which was later added to YouTube, and went viral. See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4tBXs
But, they are not the only one’s with that large a credibility problem, there are those who let them get away with their inhumanity -
despite their protestations.
Nothing to see here folks, move along, move along… and please also ignore the hikers held hostage.
soooo….this guy thinks that the oil fields are “ours for the taking” That the oil is ExxonMobile’s oil for the taking? That a US corporation has a right to that oil?…..or does this guy believe that we should just bomb the shit out of innocent Iranians to get it?….or is it both?
Iran has badly underestimated President Obama’s ability to ignore acts of war, invasion and terrorism.
In fact, Iran could stage a massive invasion of Iraq and Obama would do nothing, but likely say it was proof that
the surge didn’t work.
Likewise, North Korea could roll across the 38th parallel and Obama would, I’m sure, fail to act; fail to reinforce our troops.
By the same token, I believe Iran or any terrorist group could launch a major nuclear attack on Israel,
and the anointed one would conjure up some excuse why his hands are tied to respond in kind to the act of war.
Or a terrorist group could set off a dirty bomb in NYC and Obama would probably twiddle his thumbs and blame it on Bush.
Let’s face it, we have a President who not only is trying to weaken our military by cutting all funds for technological advances with a meat cleaver, which invites catch up for everyone else, but domestically with so called stimulus after stimulus, he’s doing his best to drive us all to some kind of national poor house, a sort of generational bankruptcy; best guess it’ll take a decade to right the ship.
The bright side: Americans don’t go silently into the night. If our forefathers could survive the hardships of valley forge and persevere to whip the British, we can take the meanest, nuttiest rag heads to the proverbial cleaners.
We do need a leader, not a pipsqueak socialist maggot. In time, though, we’ll have one. Push America to far and if you’re lucky, you’ll live to lick your wounds and walk away like defeated dogs with their tails between their legs.
It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.
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thanks for another good article, unfortunately none of the news is good. and will not be for at least 3 more years.
it maybe that the only good thing to come from this present administration is their over reach may allow a new administration the power and need to make the changes that are required.
I am an amateur at such foreign political thinking, but isn’t it a ripe time for some renegade nation, an enemy of America, to purposely seek some kind of legitimate trouble, or better, make trouble and legitimize it seeing how America with it’s current leadership and party in power would be nearly unshakable to do anything about it? I suppose that instability in Iran is a very good thing for us in that regard.
And we’re surprised by this? The chess match continues, however, we have no strategy.
Well, these revelations don’t inspire confidence. Escalation sounds fun except the regime would love the half-assed Obama response as annother trumped up charge against demonstrators.
I sure love it when our foregin policy doesn’t reflect our values.
Hey Nixon, you’re dead.
Long time ago.
Iraqis just auctioned off oil development rights to a lot of non-American companies. The “Blood-for-Oil” song is out of tune.
Anything to linger for a little longer
By now we should have all figured out that Iranian regime is only after one thing: “Its own survival to stay in power for as longer as possible”. At this point the “Iranian Government of Allah” only sees one serious threat, and that is the recurrent nightmare that millions of Iranian masses come out in streets of Iranian cities (either in peaceful defiance or in future in combatant formations to show their power and bring down this “Government of Allah”). This nightmare is so potent and so vivid for the regime that it has left the regime’s top dogs and their cronies sleepless, for the last six months. All along they have tried all different approaches to find ways to avert and muffle such conclusion. First the Khamenehi’s henchmen used brutal and blatant violence in daylights in streets to flex their muscles, and use rape and pillage of the prisoners to teach everyone a lesson that one cannot mess with “Government of Allah (read it Hezbollah)”! Pretty soon they found out that their method did not work, because not only the protesters came back to streets, but the so called legitimacy of “Valye Faghih” (Supreme leader) crumbled down, as a result of blatant brutality. Then the Khamenehi’s men decided to start a rapprochement with US government and show a green light to American Administration (which was well taken -by the way) so that Iranian youth who are increasingly pro-western democracy, will feel depressed, and betrayed. That plan did not work either, mainly due to the persistence and genuine need of Iranians for “real change”, whether it could be achieved with or without Obama!
At the same time Khamenehi internal policy was to sent out emissaries to the leaders of green movement asking them for compromise (without any conciliation regarding his pick in presidential election), which of course was one sided and could not work and it did not work.
The most recent adventure of the “Government of Allah” is to utilize the state of frenzy in the society by creation of an external war through its outside borders, and possibly utilize their emissaries in Lebanon’s Hezbollah or Hamas to divert Iranians attention from their problems with the “Government of Allah”. The recent episode of the Revolutionary Guard’s “Little adventure in Fakkeh” is an indication of that adventurist temptation. At this point the “Government of Allah” is just testing the waters and trying to test the will of America who is sitting next door outside the borders. If the lion of United States is too tired or to unwilling to respond to this mouse play, then the Iranian Government may arrive at its desired conclusion (all-be-it quite erroneously) and follow its “dim-wit” plan. The same state of frenzy is also promoted and played out internally inside the Iranian border and theater, where the government is trying to mobilize emotion of its base by making a big hoopla about Khomeini’s picture being thorn by a supposed protester. No doubt Iranian Government is after a war within and/or a war outside, as long as it helps him to stay a little bit longer.
Did we take the title from this?
http://www.johntreed.com/fist.html
Similar theme. Enjoy!
The mullahs have Obama’s number. Look for more destabilization in Iraq.
Hugs not bombs.
By Hugs I mean Wookiee death grip.
Agree with Rachel Peepers. The nastiest ragheads anywhere cant hold a candle to Americas finest. Iran or the enemy within(ObamaPOS) will regret the day he attacked America. Your days are numbered ObamaPOS, youd better hope the ballot box undoes you before the anger of Americans boils over into outright defiance and revolt. There are already folks refusing to pay taxes. Gun sales are going thru the roof. It cant be a coincidence. Iran and the moslem world had better hope we dont get another George Patton-The Persian empire died at the hands of the first western empire, Greece. The islamic dream of a world caliphate will die just as quickly, since Islam(like communism) does not encourage individual thought or iniative. And since ObamaPOS is both a moslem and a commie, we can knock off two with one stone.
Bush had it right. As long as they’re fighting with each other over there, they’re not fighting us over here. Our strategy then becomes keeping them fighting with each other.
farhad samimim, you are right on!
Your analysis is dead on!
Indeed it continues… the Jihad… and the problem is Islam — to submit — in whatever whichway one deduces.
They will fight the infidel; then with themselves to rule as the new Caliphate.
But Rachel, he is SUCH a brown-eyed handsome man!
Meanwhile, back at the OIL well, StrategyPage says this happens about twice a year.
The well is about 300 meters from an Iranian fort and about 500 meters from an Iraqi fort. Both forts are border control points guarding a goat trail that passes thru the area. The well pumps OIL out to the Iraqi side and has done so for decades. Both sides claim it.
Since the OIL gets pumped out to the Iraqi’s, they do the maintenance on the well. So every few moths, the Iraqi techs go out, change the pump filters, check the flow meters, etc, Then they repaint the well in Iraqi colors, hang an Iraqi flag off it and go back to the shop for a cold one. A few weeks later the Iranians go “recapture” the well, paint it in Iranian colors and hang an Iranian flag off it.
This cycle has been going on for decades, since the Iran-Iraq war (1980 to 1988).
So there is no need to get ones bloomers all twisted around over the latest paint job.
It makes me wonder just why it has become an issue at this time. Timing is everything in politics. Who stands to gain the most from pretending that this latest paint job is a matter of international importance? That is what I’m trying to figure out. Having no luck and could use a little help here.
Iran? All I can think of is they are up to something and need a little misdirection. You know, get them looking at your right hand, then sucker punch them with your left.
Or maybe the Mad Dog Mullahs want Iraq to attack them and start another war like the one in 1980. I don’t think that will work, but I’m not a Mad Dog Mullah, Allah doesn’t whisper in my ear.
I can’t see ANY angle for Iraq. If they wanted a war the tons of weapons being delivered to Mookie’s minions would be more then enough to establish just cause. Iran shot down an American UAV a few months ago. It was on a mission for the Iraqi border patrol, so technically that was an act of war.
America? Iran invaded our Embassy. Which, BTW, is considered sovereign soil. No different under international law then invading Florida or Maine. As a cause for war, invading an Embassy doesn’t get any worse (better?). Pearl Harbor wasn’t that bad.
So what’s up with this?
The only thing I’m sure of is that Pogo Pogo isn’t involved.
#21 you are on cloud nine! along with Shiraz…. this particular oil field has been a source of contention between Iran and Iraq for fourty years
Iraq auctioning off oil to non-american corporations eh? An Amerikan puppet regime has thrown a few bones to the corporate representatives that make up the UN security counsel who have looked the other way while the various corporations of the world carve up Iraq’s resources for their leaders to get rich while dumbed-down ignorant young Amerikan troops blinded by flag-waving propaganda fight for worldwide corporate takeover of our planet? Get real BM!! There are no longer national borders. Our so-called leaders are nothing more than corporate representatives. Wake up BM!!
More rumor mongering.
mongering.
This reminds of another tall tale of Ledeen’s, in the case of the alive again ayatollah. Or perhaps Obama’s missing thesis. I really can’t imagine how you face yourself in the mirror every day; you are literally the equivalent of a gossiping housewife.
To: Richard M. Nixon
Re: Richard M. Nixon
Sir,
I knew Richard M. Nixon, and you, sir, are not Richard M. Nixon.
The real Mr. Nixon would have known how to handle such an incident.
Sincerely
Richard:
Let’s see if I understand:
US invades Iraq: Badbadbad!!!!1!! No blood for oil!!
Iran invades Iraq and occupy an oil well: How dare you draw attention to this, you warmongers!
Francis: “If the Administration does not respond with overwhelming force, Iran will subjugate Iraq before 2010 is over…and the expenditure of over 3000 American lives and half a trillion dollars will have been for nothing.”
See, just like Obama told you all along!
e (#19): I am sympathetic to the argument that the Iranian regime is looking for an escalation in order to consolidate its hold on power inside Iran, and we should refrain from playing into their hands. But one must consider counter-examples such as the Argentinian Junta and the Falklands war.
It is truly a sad day hearing the news of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri. I think many Iranians today feel left alone to face this deadly regime. He was truly a good man with good heart. Iranian people I think are truly sad about this loss AT THIS CRITICAL moments, where his words were so much needed for the Green movement and as someone that Khamenei and his thugs truly knew his power and value to Iran.
I just read an interesting article on W. post about an Iranian Jew from LA going back to Iran for kidney transplant and cancer treatment. Make sure to read it. I think for sure in any way possible Iran MUST BE ALLOWED to get supply of those medical nuclear materials for treating patients ASAP. This item will take away the excuse to blame U.S. and other powers causing Iranian people losing their lives to cancer.
It will be shocking and painful to see in the coming months sick cancer patients end up losing lives, while knowing Ahmadinejad makes sure to blame the U.S. for this.
mr, it seems like you’re on cloud nine counting your 72 angels of beauty your regime has promised to you!
Are you seriously denying that the Islamic regime has no interest in controlling Iraqi’s oil fields, their government institutions, their courts, their school of thoughts, their mosques???
Who are you, mr???
Another troll for the regime or perhaps an agent of the regime?
What’s your purpose in this blog?
Careful. The voters are coming.
#42 Shiraz: i did not expect to see an Iranian simpleton here!! I said that particular field…
Shiraz: are you an Iranian Jew?
mr, do you have a problem with Jews?
Just wondering!
http://www.bloggybayou.com/2009/12/iran-is-on-fire-and-no-one-in-msm-or.html
No one in the US MSM is really paying attention to this…The administration is silent. Doesn’t bode well for future US/Iran relations when the Mullahs fall from power…
Cheers
Muckraker
I heard this joke from Iranians visiting Iran:
Why every time Mehdi Karroubi goes outside for protest two pick up trucks follow him?! Answer: trucks carry his balls!
“The Iranians came across the border (which they contest) and claimed an oil well. Nothing new, you might say. And you’d be right.”
Like Michael said, this happens allot but they have been happening more frequently in recent months as Iraq actions off development rights to fields near the border. In isn’t at all out the realm of possibility that this is both a move to test Obama and the Iraqis as well as a prelude to a manufactured crisis by the Mullahs to take pressure off the home front. Nixon, if you think the United States went to war for Royal Dutch Shell or Petronas of Malaysia you are an incredible idiot.
#45 Shiraz: not only I do not have a problems with Jes I actually love them and admire them. I work for them. My daughter in law is Jewsish and I date a Jewish woman. I just said that as joke!!!! so are you an Iranian Jew? Just wondering!!!!
#9 Phranc: there was a second article last week regarding child moletation in CT, do you need more proof or are we good…
Iran occupies Iraq. We planned this and executed it perfectly. This is what we wanted. Basically, you can call it an American-Iranian occupation. We have done that because this was the only way to create permanent wars between Shiite and Sunnis and Iranians and Arabs.
People like Ledeen lead the way by supporting the invasion of Iraq before the invasion of Iran.
And you guys are worried about a little sortie here and there by the Iranians?
For those who know, Iran can be stopped in a one day operation: Take the Ahwaz region and they will collapse, and with their regime the Iranian supported Alqaida will crumble provided we want that to happen.
You point out such an amazing things here and it’s at all times pleassure to read. Hope to listen to extra and study from you.