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Archive for the 'Iran' Category

Iran and the tide of public opinion

Over the weekend, military sources gave a briefing to the press in Baghdad, ostensibly presenting their case that Iran is actively involved in Iraq, and supplying weaponry to add fuel to the spiralling violence there.
The reactions spanned everything from hysteria to derision, but the prevailing tone was — and is — a pervading skepticism. Who […]

A Very Bad Sign in Irbil

There are still questions today about what type of “compound”, exactly, was raided by U.S. troops in Irbil. Did the detained Iranians have diplomatic status? Were those offices considered Iranian territory, as an offically designated consulate or embassy would be?
I’m sure the Iranians will say so, and the Americans will say not — the usual […]

Now THIS is escalation…

In a TMV comment this morning, I said:
Just at this moment in time [..], indications are that leaving Iraq will result in regional war and wholesale slaughter. I have no faith, but I can hope, that time — however much we can gain — will bring different scenarios.
Evidently, things were shifting even as I wrote […]

Iran’s oil dependence

According to a recent report by the US National Academy of Sciences, 70% of Iran’s budget is derived from its oil industry, but they’ve invested nothing to improve or even maintain this key revenue source.
I don’t know about you, but that really bothers me.

Ratcheting up the pressure… and the propaganda

Tony Blair has clearly broken ranks with George Bush’s approach to the Middle East:
THE first cracks in the united front over Iraq between Tony Blair and President Bush appeared last night as the Prime Minister offered Iran and Syria the prospect of dialogue over the future of Iraq and the Middle East.
Mr Blair said that […]