Hit And Run
on 02/26/2007 at 01:48 AM
Somebody please explain to me in simple words why we went after Iraq instead of Iran?
Iran had not (1) had 12 UN resolutions thrown at them, (2) fired on US warplanes trying to enforce no-fly zones, (3) tried to build nuclear technology (yet), (4) violated all of the terms of a 1991 surrender agreement, (5) attempted to purchase uranium in Africa, (6) tried to assassinate a former US President while he was visiting Kuwait.
All of which Saddam Hussein and his regime was guilty of. The Iranians didn’t start making a real menace of themselves until Hussein was smacked down. Hussein’s removal created a power vacuum in the region and tilted the balance of power toward Iran since there was no longer any threat to them from Hussein and Iraq (who fought a long and bloody war with the Iranians in the 1980’s - with US backing).
The countries and kingdoms of the Middle East are a delicate balancing act created by the British and French 80 years ago and when one tyrant falls or one country is weakened by war of economic reasons, power shifts like the sands covering most of the region.
When Reagan became President, the Iranians ducked for cover. This allowed Reagan to go after the Soviet Union and try to end the Cold War while the US covertly encouraged (and funded) Saddam Hussein to attack Iran and keep Ayatollah Khomeini and the Mullahs occupied. Plus it used up a lot of the military hardware the US had given the Shah before Khomeini tossed the Shah out (with Jimmy Carter’s assistance).
To make a long story short, it’s like hammering down prairie dogs with a mallet. Whenever one pops up and you smack them down another pops up somewhere else.hmmmmmm
Don’t suppose there’s any chance we can hammer the Iranians a bit, before we leave Iraq, mind you, just to level the playing field a bit, not because they actually deserve it (let me know when you’d like your leg back). Things being what they are, we really should use much larger areas of the Mid East for live fire training exercises.
Then again, how about Syria? Let’s contract that one to the Israelis. it would be fun to watch.
Sounds like the Skipper’s playing Whack-a-mole-ah !
Our troop’s M-16 rifles are perfectly suited to prarie dog hunting. Just ask Jim Zumbo!
