Americas Foes Circle Wagon (UPI Intn'l)

[katty]

cont'd: http://www.raidersnewsupdate.com/lead-story173.htm

Americas Foes Circle Wagons
by Claude Salhani
UPI International Editor

America's enemies are circling their wagons, readying for what they perceive to be inevitable: a showdown with the United States.
Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by the New York Times as having told a large crowd of demonstrators: "I ask our dear people to prepare themselves for a great struggle. Fasten your seat belts and pull up your sleeves."

Fearing a potential attack, Ahmadinejad, now more than ever, will push ahead with his country's desire to acquire nuclear weapons, feeling it would deter potential attacks against the Islamic republic. Last month Ahmadinejad flew to Damascus to confer with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Their discussions, no doubt, focused on mutual fears -- the likelihood of U.S. attacks.

[marmar]

1. BushCo is determined to start WWIII...

They're determined to drag China and Russia into this...and pop goes the world! :cry:

[katty]

2. yes, that appears to be their big game-Americans better

fastern THEIR seat belts because if this happens, the rapid escalation of widespread conflict is incalcuable.

[DavidDvorkin]

3. Bad historical analogy

America's "foes" aren't leading their wagon trains into land occupied by others and having to defend themselves against attacks by the natives.

The Crusades are a much better analogy.

[bemildred]

4. "America's Foes" are not on the defensive, the Bushites are.

Ahmadinejad's familiarity with English vernacular cliches (like "fasten your seat belts") is much better than I would have expected, and his use of them to native Iranians seems rather odd.

[OneBlueSky]

5. when the Russians and the Chinese add their wagons . . .

to the circle, then it will be time to REALLY start worrying . . . and if/when we attack Iraq, that time may not be far off . . .

[cliss]

6. In the fine art of negotiations -

When the supposed "tough guy" issues an ultimatum and the "little guy" sticks his middle finger in the air, something is up.

The US has repeatedly issued warnings, threats, and has supposedly gotten the world community behind it. Nonetheless, Iran continues to be defiant, telling the US to stuff it. Last month, Ahmadinejad called the US a "hollow superpower".

That's the most important part of this conflict. It will determine the outcome of this stand-off.

Why would Iran do this? My suspicion is that they perceive the US as bankrupt, we're desperately dependent on their oil; they're the supplier, we're the end user, and they could pull the plug on our economy, and Europe's too, whenever they wish.

They're stating that THEY in fact hold all the power. Still, the US should be considered to be unpredictable, a rogue power, so they need to be cautious.

[bemildred]

7. It is notable that Mr Chavez in Venezuela is following the same course.

One suspects they are cooperating in flipping the Bushites off.