Iran?

reasareasa Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 8010Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">Could they be next, and soon?</div> <a href='http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5460688/' target='_blank'>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5460688/</a>

This is just one of the many articles that have been catching my eye lately.
Isn't this how things started with Iraq?
Iran is on the "axis of evil".


Do you think this is just a pre-election stunt, or do you think it could lead to something serious?
I'll post my thoughts later, dinner time.

Comments

  • BurncycleBurncycle Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9759Members, NS1 Playtester
    I seriously doubt it. We're exhausted and over-extended as it is.
  • ScinetScinet Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12489Members, Constellation
    I also doubt the possibility of an open war (or an undeclared one like in the case of Iraq) with Iran. Seriously, the administration would have to be Hitler-level crazy to think their resources could handle Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran at the same time.

    This is just more political swordplay. Iran has been an active and known supporter of terrorist cells for about two decades now. Al-Quaeda links would be nothing new. While I believe that global political pressure should be applied towards the conservative religious leaders of Iran, an open conflict is not wished. Also, the more the US stretches its military resources, the more aggressively North Korea can behave. While I'm no big fan of current US foreign policy, I must admit that fear of US retaliation is one of the only things holding North Korea in check. While I don't believe half the stories told about DPRNK in the media, a half-starved state that doesn't care about international opinion is not exactly a stable neighbour to anyone.

    One thing I don't really get is that in this war against terror, the terrorists are the side that's getting all it wants and has to do very little to get it. They understand that controlling news and being visible in the media is everything that counts. Towards that end, high-profile terror attempts don't have to succeed, as long as they show the determination and the muscle of the terrorists behind it. The more attention they get, the more people will flock to their cause, perhaps even prompting Mr. bin Laden to reach for Madhi status. It's a stretched idea, but one to keep in mind.
  • StakhanovStakhanov Join Date: 2003-03-12 Member: 14448Members
    edited July 2004
    Last time I checked , Khatami was democratically elected. The reformist party tends to gain more influence when the tensions between Iran and the US are at their lowest. Though the fundamentalist conservatives who still hold the real political power support terrorist cells such as the Hezbollah , threatening them is the most counterproductive move possible. They can easily exploit the fear of the US to gain support from the population , they were the ones who ended the Shah's reign after all.
  • ScinetScinet Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12489Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Stakhanov+Jul 19 2004, 06:18 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Stakhanov @ Jul 19 2004, 06:18 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Last time I checked , Khatami was democratically elected. The reformist party tends to gain more influence when the tensions between Iran and the US are at their lowest. Though the fundamentalist conservatives who still hold the real political power support terrorist cells such as the Hezbollah , threatening them is the most counterproductive move possible. They can easily exploit the fear of the US to gain support from the population , they were the ones who ended the Shah's reign after all. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    True, Khatami is a democratically elected president. That doesn't mean he has any real power at all, though. That's why the threats, offers, bribes and all from the US are always aimed at the conservative religious leaders.

    It seems, though, that the citizens born after the religious government was established are more likely to support the reform movement. However, as was seen in the last parliamentary elections, popular support doesn't mean a thing for the old ayatollahs. With the whole state firmly under their control, nothing much can happen against their will, no matter what the general public may or may not think is the best course at any given moment.

    By the way, which one is Hezbollah really - a terrorist organization or a guerilla unit and and a charity combined? Or both? It's easy for the western world to see Hezbollah as just another paramilitary islamic terrorist group, but aren't they originally an answer to Israel's occupation of Lebanon? They have contributed much to the society, and dismissing them as just another terrorist organization does not do them justice.
  • StakhanovStakhanov Join Date: 2003-03-12 Member: 14448Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Scinet+Jul 20 2004, 01:02 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Scinet @ Jul 20 2004, 01:02 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> By the way, which one is Hezbollah really - a terrorist organization or a guerilla unit and and a charity combined? Or both? It's easy for the western world to see Hezbollah as just another paramilitary islamic terrorist group, but aren't they originally an answer to Israel's occupation of Lebanon? They have contributed much to the society, and dismissing them as just another terrorist organization does not do them justice. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Good point. I remember our former prime minister , Lionel Jospin , has been stoned in the streets when he came to Lebanon , after he said the Hezbollah was made of terrorists...

    I don't think they have strong links with sunnit terrorists (Al Quaeda) , attacking Israël was their main concern (I haven't heard of them since the isreali army's withdrawal from Lebanon)
  • ExitusExitus Join Date: 2003-06-17 Member: 17424Members
    edited July 2004
    <span style='color:white'>Please realize that the Discussion Forum requires you to stay on topic of the thread in question. General nation-bashing as seen in your reply is a sure way out of the door.</span>
  • ScinetScinet Join Date: 2003-01-19 Member: 12489Members, Constellation
    edited July 2004
    <span style='color:white'>This is a discussion about Iran, not the benefits and weaknesses of democratic systems. Move it into a seperate thread, please.</span>
  • ExitusExitus Join Date: 2003-06-17 Member: 17424Members
    edited July 2004
    <span style='color:white'>This is a discussion about Iran, not the benefits and weaknesses of democratic systems. Move it into a seperate thread, please.</span>
  • ExitusExitus Join Date: 2003-06-17 Member: 17424Members
    Iran ´= bad
    USA = good

    are u happy now
    can i keep this comment now ?
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