Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevemcgarrett]

Not content with their kidnapping of British seamen and previous maneuvers outside their territorial waters, the Iran Revolutionary Guard Navy has once again engaged in reckless tactics against U.S. Navy vessels in the Straits of Hormuz.

See this weblink:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080108/D8U1UNM80.html

Of course, had the roles been reversed there would have been a huge outcry from the Gulf States and indeed most of the U.N. nations. But once again the Iranians get a pass. Apparently unprovoked aggression on their part is excusable if not entirely justified.

Which begs the question: When is enough really going to be enough? Sure their boats almost got blown to Kingdom Come but only after broadcast threats, the dropping of unidentified boxes into the water, and buzzing between our vessels.

I say it's time to call their bluff and next time blow them to smithereens at the outset, especially since Bush and his admirals in the region have made it abudantly clear that it was an unwarranted display of aggression. One must wonder what motivated this false show of bravado. Partly it's the renegade nature of the Revolutionary Guard, which doesn't receive all its orders from Tehran or, if it does, acts on its own behalf. It might be they want to test our preparedness and response time to such attacks for future strategic planning. Or perhaps Ahmadine-jihad just got a hard-on trying to divert attention away from his impotent domestic policies.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry continues to downplay the incident, to deny that its boats recognized the American vessels (yeah, like they'd be hard to spot on such a clear day in a narrow strait routinely traversed).

So should we call their bluff and if not, why not? What do we stand to gain and lose?

What do you suppose has stirred this latest provocation?

[Joo Rip Gwa Rhhee]

Iran will always cause trouble but the US ought to play it quiet with Iran unless Iran really goes over the line. Iran loses nothing in a low level conflict with the US.

The best way and the most successful way to deal with Iran is alternative energy R&D and military R&D. That will eventually set the balance in the US favor. That isn't doing nothing.


Plus the US really doesn't know what kind of nation Iran will be in 15 years. Iran's supreme leader is a pretty horrible guy kind of like an Iranian Lenin but after him who knows?


The US needs to focus on the long term strategic situation and not get side tracked.

[ddeubel]

[Czarjorge]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if the current administration initiates some sort of action against Iran before they're out of office. I'm sure they reason that if they start a fight the Iranians will make sure it doesn't end. I also think the neocons will expect that the electorate will go for a Rep over a Dem if more conflict is initiated.

Both are these are reason enough NOT to pick a fight with Iran. None of us have any say in the matter though. I think Bush and his power brokers have watched one too many episodes of 24.

[Captain Corea]

[W.T.Carl]

Ah, what fun; hunting speed boats with a Destroyer. Sound like good fun!

[Czarjorge]

Have you heard the audio? They've been playing it on the big news channels. (MSNBC/CNN/FOX) I'm not sure these guys are Iranian government. It seems like it's the Iranian version of rednecks messing with a US ship. Wouldn't our rednecks in cigar boats buzz a foreign military if they were hanging off the coast of Texas or Florida?

[stevemcgarrett]

Captain Corea:

O.K., so let's suppose they're baiting us. To what end, then?

Jorge:

Let me see if I understand you correctly: you're saying that we shouldn't retaliate because Bush will use this as an excuse for war? Assuming that your sentiment is shared by the Iranians, why would they want to instigate a war? What do they stand to gain, in your view?

Joo:

I hear what you're saying but I don't see the ayatollahs falling out of favor anytime in the foreseeable future. I see the chance that Ahmadine-jihad might be oustered for once again imprudently instigating an incident. Which makes me wonder how much influence he has on the Guard Navy which has taken renegade actions before.

W.T.:

As you must know, a few bursts trained on them from those 5-inch guns would make short work of those boats. BTW, were those Spruance-class destroyers?

[Czarjorge]

[On the other hand]

[Pluto]

This story has taken a new turn. Iran is now complaining that the Pentagon fabricated the footage. /sigh...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080109/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iran_us_navy

Anyway, I agree more with Joo. That dinner-jacket guy keeps making himself look more foolish everyday, both inside and outside of Iran. So per haps he'll get voted out. At any rate, Iran is a Democratic Islamic Theocracy. No matter who's in charge, the last word remains with the Ayatollahs, and the Ayatollahs still command much power and influence in Iran. This may change, however, because more than 70% of Iran's population is under 30 years old.

So, who knows?

[W.T.Carl]

The first was an Aegis class cruiser, followed by a Spruance class destoyer and then a frigate of which I am not too sure which class.
Yes, it would not have been a "sporting" contest. However, if the Iranians wish to commit suicide I think we should oblige them.

[bucheon bum]

[Ya-ta Boy]

With the recent release of the report that reduced tensions, it would seem to me that elements within the Revolutionary Guards are upset and want to raise them again. After all, combating the Great Satan is their reason in life.

The US should play it very carefully. Iran is deeply divided and its economy is in a shambles. With a skillful patient policy, we can wait out the life-expectancy of an unpopular regime and quite possibly end up with a much friendlier government a few years down the road. Since that is our ultimate goal, we need to be especially cautious of hot heads (on both sides) triggering an unnecessary conflict.

The smart thing to do would be for us to publically and formally suggest a commission be set up to study ways incidents like this can be avoided in the future. It would flummox the suicide by cop elements in the Iranian government.

[stevemcgarrett]

OTOH noted of Jorge: