middle east is toast
- Thread starter Billboy1
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Hindsight
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- Lincolnshire
This long clandestine war is now out of the shadows
Jeremy Bowen
International Editor
The Iranians are playing down the significance of what's happened. They're saying there has been no attack. Official media have posted jokey photos of miniature drones.
Several questions arise.
Will hardliners in Iran's IRGC want to push back?
Has Israel plans for more attacks?
This could be PM Netanyahu's attempt to respond, without alienating President Biden any more than he has already. Biden has asked Israel not to respond to last Saturday's attack by Iran, to 'take the win'. Britain and other allies of Israel have contributed their own calls for restraint.
If this is it, another question is whether it will be enough for the former generals in Israel's war cabinet who are believed to want a strong response to, as they see it, restore Israel's capacity to deter its enemies.
Netanyahu's ultranationalist coalition allies have also demanded a fierce retaliation from Israel. One said the Israelis needed to "go berserk".
The best option for the region, in the opinion of western governments, is for both Iran and Israel to draw a line under the saga. It started with Israel's attack on the Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, killing at least seven people including three generals.
Even if this is the end of this stage of this crisis, new precedents have been set. Iran has hit Israel in a direct attack, and Israel has responded with its own direct attack.
That's a change in what's often referred to in the region as the 'rules of the game' of the long conflict between Iran and Israel.
The long clandestine war between the two countries has come out of the shadows.
Hindsight
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- Lincolnshire
Is the UK now at war with Iran? As a proxy given RAF was deployed last Saturday in defence of Israel. Will this matter now be debated in Parliament and UK military involvement put to a vote.
Downing Street says its understanding is that the source of the strikes on Iran has not been officially confirmed.
But the prime minister’s office says Israel has a right to self-defence, and added “we have been stressing to Israelis that what matters now is de-escalation".
So far there is no official statement from Israel that is claiming the responsibility for the attack, but the US officials who spoke to the US media say that Israel conducted the strikes.
Downing Street says 'Israel has a right to self-defence'
Hours after the reports of attacks on Isfahan in Iran, there is a reaction from the UK.Downing Street says its understanding is that the source of the strikes on Iran has not been officially confirmed.
But the prime minister’s office says Israel has a right to self-defence, and added “we have been stressing to Israelis that what matters now is de-escalation".
So far there is no official statement from Israel that is claiming the responsibility for the attack, but the US officials who spoke to the US media say that Israel conducted the strikes.
essex man
Member
- Location
- colchester
Well it's grist for the mill of the chicken licken brigade!
I would say we are certainly heading that way.
My concern is our weak Scottish F.M who has interests & direct links to the area meanwhile having absolutely no understanding or care for the seriousness of what may lie ahead should further military action be required.
It looks like the west (Israel and America) are desperate to get into a war with Iran, Israel killing Iranian military officials in a number of different countries resulted in the Iranian retaliation, launching many rockets and drones towards Israel I think all were shot down. It was a pathetic show of Irans military capability and they went on to say that's it that all the retaliatory moves we will make. It could have stopped there but now Israel has launched a new attack on Iran.
Summary:
The demise of Iran thwarts the supply of Iranian weapons to Russia hampering & drawing out their battle with Ukraine all the while diminishing Russia's military power & Putin's hold over the country.
Once that happens its a straight shootout between China & the U.S. in the global big ball p*ssing contest.
They divvy up the spoils between them, Israel continues to police the Middle east & the world rolls on trouble free for another 30 + years
To make an omelette you have to break a few eggs, Palestine, Iran & Yemen are the eggs with Palestine being a particular egg Israel have wanted to smash for a long time.
Meanwhile the global oil supply & price are stable, access to the world's largest untapped supply of natural resources is available, the global economy isn't disrupted too much & modern Russians will envisage a better lifestyle in a more capitalist westernised society - US & China will rub along & the balance of power stays the same - for now.
Any climate change green nonsense is just background noise to appease misguided liberals - busying people to no real end
The demise of Iran thwarts the supply of Iranian weapons to Russia hampering & drawing out their battle with Ukraine all the while diminishing Russia's military power & Putin's hold over the country.
Once that happens its a straight shootout between China & the U.S. in the global big ball p*ssing contest.
They divvy up the spoils between them, Israel continues to police the Middle east & the world rolls on trouble free for another 30 + years
To make an omelette you have to break a few eggs, Palestine, Iran & Yemen are the eggs with Palestine being a particular egg Israel have wanted to smash for a long time.
Meanwhile the global oil supply & price are stable, access to the world's largest untapped supply of natural resources is available, the global economy isn't disrupted too much & modern Russians will envisage a better lifestyle in a more capitalist westernised society - US & China will rub along & the balance of power stays the same - for now.
Any climate change green nonsense is just background noise to appease misguided liberals - busying people to no real end
essex man
Member
- Location
- colchester
Yes...headlines but no actual war for/ risk to western democracies
Charlie Gill
Member
- Location
- Kent
I can think of one particular person that that might suit.
kiwi pom
Member
- Location
- canterbury NZ
The UK will be at war with Iran if that’s what the US tells them to be.
That’s what the special relationship is.
The yanks do/say something and tell the UK to do it too so they can say they are acting in a global partnership.
The usual suspects, Australia etc then say they support them too, without actually doing much.
Tis how the world works now.
essex man
Member
- Location
- colchester
It suits everyone
ollie989898
Member
Let me get this right, you expect Israel to just sit back and do nothing?
Charlie Gill
Member
- Location
- Kent
I guess 40 million Ukrainians would disagree with you.
essex man
Member
- Location
- colchester
Well i meant the people in the countries i referred to.
Not sure the ukrainians care whether we risk ourselves or not.
Probably more concerned at the way we pretend we might and then don't.
Fake, halfhearted, transient,self-serving help is worse than no help at all maybe.
I dunno, without western help in 2022 , they would be worse off than they are now.
Without western help in 2023 they might have negotiated from a stronger position than in prospect now.
Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Cynical
Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Silly - total cobblers.
Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Charlie Gill
Member
- Location
- Kent
I read 'everyone' wrong - my mistake
