Obama on Iran

[Jayhawker Soule]

From the Jerusalem Post

France's Sarkozy says Iran gov't reaction 'brutal'

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has denounced the Iranian government's "brutal" reaction to demonstrators protesting the nation's disputed election.

Sarkozy calls the situation in Iran "extremely alarming" and says Iran's clampdown on demonstrators was "totally disproportionate."

Sarkozy said Tuesday: "The ruling power claims to have won the elections ... if that were true, we must ask why they find it necessary to imprison their opponents and repress them with such violence."

How do you feel about Obama's 'measured' response to what is unfolding on the streets of that country?

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker Soule

From the Jerusalem PostHow do you feel about Obama's 'measured' response to what is unfolding on the streets of that country?

The corrupt nature of Iran's leadership has been well known for years.

It seems to me like he's accepted that he'll be working with a scoundrel and he doesn't want to make that relationship any more uncomfortable than it already is.

[angellous_evangellous]

It just occured to me that if the United States were to reluctantly enter a conflict with Iran...

Say, Iran lost its marbles and attacked Israel...

A lack of hostile words from Obama previous to this engagement would make the reluctance more convincing...

[Clover]

Originally Posted by angellous_evangellous

It just occured to me that if the United States were to reluctantly enter a conflict with Iran...

Say, Iran lost its marbles and attacked Israel...

A lack of hostile words from Obama previous to this engagement would make the reluctance more convincing...

If Iran got into a war with Israel, I'd be afraid to see a knew war between Israel/America/NATO vs Iran, and any countries, I'd be willing to say some countries like Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and others might join in with Iran. Then we'd have a really big war in the Middle East.

[Alceste]

I think any "measured" response is a breath of fresh air after the irresponsible, inflammatory, militant, uncompromising and provokative stance of the Republicans and Israel. The constant hammering of war drums gets tiring after a while for those of us who might be obliged to toss our lot in with their ill-conceived crusades.

[Caladan]

Originally Posted by Clover

If Iran got into a war with Israel, I'd be afraid to see a knew war between Israel/America/NATO vs Iran, and any countries, I'd be willing to say some countries like Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and others might join in with Iran. Then we'd have a really big war in the Middle East.

I think you need to re examine your understanding of the political landscape of the Mideast.

Why would nations like Egypt or Jordan (or 'others') join in with Iran?
Will the Sunnis and Christians in Lebanon allow the Shia Hezballah to drag their nation into another adventure as an Iranian proxy?

So far, one of the strategies of the US in the Mideast was to create an Arab block against Iran.. obviously now the rules of the game may be changing, or if not, might be more sophisticated and subtle. there is no lack of grudge between Egypt and Jordan, and Iran.

[Clover]

Originally Posted by Caladan

I think you need to re examine your understanding of the political landscape of the Mideast.

Why would nations like Egypt or Jordan (or 'others') join in with Iran?
Will the Sunnis and Christians in Lebanon allow the Shia Hezballah drag their nation into another adventure as an Iranian proxy?

So far, one of the strategies of the US in the Mideast was to create an Arab block against Iran.. obviously now the rules of the games may be changing, or if not, might be more sophisticated and subtle. there is no lack of grudge between Egypt and Jordan, and Iran.

I think you under-estimate the strength of the hatred for the Jewish State of Israel. Lebanon's Christians and Sunnis, might be able to stop them, but I would not put my word on it.