Oh bugger. Just when you thought things were growing a little quiet on the Iranian front, George Bush's Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has announced that the US is increasing sanctions against Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and three state-owned banks.Condoleezza said: "Unfortunately the Iranian government continues to spurn our offer of open negotiations, instead threatening peace and security by pursuing nuclear technologies that can lead to a nuclear weapon, building dangerous ballistic missiles, supporting Shia militants in Iraq and terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories, and denying the existence of a fellow member of the United Nations, threatening to wipe Israel off the map."
I hope that this is not just another step towards armed conflict with Iran. Though Iran need to be told in no uncertain terms that their actions are not going to go unnoticed, I can't help feeling that the US government are just looking for an excuse to attack. Imposing sanctions is the right action to take, as long as they are given time to take effect and are they not being used as a political stepping stone to war. I'm not anti-war, but I believe every course of action should be taken to avoid it.
4 comments:
I agree Steve. I would never rule out force and I have said if that's what it takes it will have to be done, but all other channels have to be exhausted first.
I remember seeing a memorial in Normandy with some words inscripted on it by Eisenhower. He said that he hates war in a way only a soldier can. After serving in our Armed Forces Steve, I imagine the same applies to you.
Andrew,
Thanks for such a thoughtful comment. My medals live in the bottom of my sock drawer in their original boxes. I never had them mounted to wear.
My father's medals lived in an old plywood box in the garden shed, the ribbons mildewed and frayed. He served in the RN during WW2 and his memories meant far more to him than his medals. That war could have been avoided had Br*tain been better prepared for war in the '30s but, like the Falklands War, it had to be fought once it became inevitable.
No one in his right mind wants war but no one in his right mind would do anything to avoid war. War is best avoided by being prepared for it and appeasement is the surest way of encouraging aggressors. Sometimes it is necessary to fight. That notwithstanding I don't think US posturing in the Middle East is concerned with anything more than control of the oil, and the Americans are looking for any pretext to obtain it. I don't want English blood spilt in pursuit of their objectives.
Morning Mr Gruff,
I've just got home from the last of six - twelve hour night shifts. I totally agree, we should always be 100% ready to fight, but we should also be 100% ready to find a peaceful solution without looking weak.
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