U.S. backing for a UN resolution wouldn’t detonate the alliance — military-to-military ties are too strong for that — but it would be the end of cooperation between this White House and this Israeli government, a government that a militarily and now diplomatically besieged Israeli public would rally behind.
And that’s before we get to how our UN mission, representing the world’s only hyperpower, seems to believe that “bargaining” means “getting progressively closer to the other side’s position.” We’re negotiating with the likes of Libya and the Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon over whether we should protect one of our last Middle East allies against a biased UN lynch mob. It’s almost difficult to believe that the Iranians, per J.E. Dyer’s must-read post, are at this very moment literally sailing their way into regional hegemony.
Joem # 2 ... Haaretz is now reporting that Al Arabiya news is saying the Egyptians did NOT allow the passage of the Iranian war ships.
Isn't Hezbollah's "threat" to occupy Galilee a bigger issue ... a scarcely veiled statement that Israel should not exist at all and the intent to act upon that idea. IIRC the Galilee portion of Israel dates back, in modern times, to at least 1947.
Uh, what is all this official diplomatic talk of a "two-state solution" again? What two states, eh ... Greater Nassrallah-land and Jordan?
Joem ... "who knows?" ...you have a point. I suspect US reaction is key, since Egypt (in particular the military) is a large recipient of US foreign aid. IOW ... if Washington, blinks, the ships sail through. Problem for me is I don't have confidence in Washington.
This isn’t an Iranian show of Power – how strong their fleet is.
This is an Iranian show of Influence.
This is about how long their tentacles are growing, how influential their country is becoming, and what countries the US might soon be losing.
This “flotilla” is a message to the US that Iran views itself as a waxing global superpower untouchable by waning US influence.
Iran will have nuclear weapons, satellites, ICBMs, naval fleets, and military industries. It doesn’t matter if they are all third rate now (and likely to blow up at any point). Their point is that they are on the rise and the US can’t do anything about that.
In terms of global perceptions, Saudi Arabia is more likely to align now with Iran in the long term – despite the comments on Wikileaks – because Iran’s sphere of influence is growing and replacing America’s wishy-washy, unreliable alliance.
So far as I'm concerned, the UN would be the perfect place to begin to save federal dollars.
ReplyDeleteLMAO!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the current US administration does not recognize the irrelevancy of the UN and thinks that it must further alienate their only ally in the Middle East.
See also Omri Ceren's commentary:
U.S. backing for a UN resolution wouldn’t detonate the alliance — military-to-military ties are too strong for that — but it would be the end of cooperation between this White House and this Israeli government, a government that a militarily and now diplomatically besieged Israeli public would rally behind.
And that’s before we get to how our UN mission, representing the world’s only hyperpower, seems to believe that “bargaining” means “getting progressively closer to the other side’s position.” We’re negotiating with the likes of Libya and the Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon over whether we should protect one of our last Middle East allies against a biased UN lynch mob. It’s almost difficult to believe that the Iranians, per J.E. Dyer’s must-read post, are at this very moment literally sailing their way into regional hegemony.
Joem # 2 ... Haaretz is now reporting that Al Arabiya news is saying the Egyptians did NOT allow the passage of the Iranian war ships.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Hezbollah's "threat" to occupy Galilee a bigger issue ... a scarcely veiled statement that Israel should not exist at all and the intent to act upon that idea. IIRC the Galilee portion of Israel dates back, in modern times, to at least 1947.
Uh, what is all this official diplomatic talk of a "two-state solution" again? What two states, eh ... Greater Nassrallah-land and Jordan?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIs the UN's intention, with US acquiescence, to return Israel to THIS state of affairs?
ReplyDeleteAridog #2: Al Arabiya news is saying the Egyptians did NOT allow the passage of the Iranian war ships.
ReplyDeleteYes, but who knows?
Isn't Hezbollah's "threat" to occupy Galilee a bigger issue ...
No doubt. I liked Netanyahu's response: "Whoever hides in a bunker should stay in the bunker."
er, sorry - I meant #3 ..
ReplyDeleteAnyway, have no fear - our State Department is watching developments "with some curiousity".
Joem ... "who knows?" ...you have a point. I suspect US reaction is key, since Egypt (in particular the military) is a large recipient of US foreign aid. IOW ... if Washington, blinks, the ships sail through. Problem for me is I don't have confidence in Washington.
ReplyDeleteNor do I, Aridog. Joe Settler says the whole thing is just a warning shot across the bow:
ReplyDeleteThis isn’t an Iranian show of Power – how strong their fleet is.
This is an Iranian show of Influence.
This is about how long their tentacles are growing, how influential their country is becoming, and what countries the US might soon be losing.
This “flotilla” is a message to the US that Iran views itself as a waxing global superpower untouchable by waning US influence.
Iran will have nuclear weapons, satellites, ICBMs, naval fleets, and military industries. It doesn’t matter if they are all third rate now (and likely to blow up at any point). Their point is that they are on the rise and the US can’t do anything about that.
In terms of global perceptions, Saudi Arabia is more likely to align now with Iran in the long term – despite the comments on Wikileaks – because Iran’s sphere of influence is growing and replacing America’s wishy-washy, unreliable alliance.
The US could do something about it, we just don't have the will - or cojones - to do so.
ReplyDeleteWishy-washy unreliable alliance. That about sums it up.
ReplyDeleteThis is unbelievable. I'd be thrilled to see us pull completely out of the UN, and kick those nincompoops back to their own shithole countries.
ReplyDeleteHi Joem! It's good to see you. :)
Hi, Lady Red! Good to "see" you too. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had much time for blog-commenting lately. Or, as annie put it in an e-mail to me, I "suddenly dropped off the face of the internet."
I'll try to drop in from time to time.
Yes, I too was happy seeing your nick here, joem!
ReplyDeleteMe three! Great to see you joem.
ReplyDelete