What I Think Is Really Going On In The M.E.

[1369]

I was looking at a map of the region just the other day, and I saw something I hadn't seen before and it suprised me that I hadn't seen it sooner. To my untrained eye, it looks like our government is going back to their playbook of the 50's and 60's Cold War tactics.

Containment.

Iran is most likely the source of most, if not all, radical Islamic actions. Pin them between an American allied Afghanistan and Iraq (which will most likely have U.S. bases on them for some time coming). An allied Pakistan on their southern border, bases in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey to the north; and they're effectively cut off.

Syria, a player in the terror game, is isolated in similar ways.

Is it just me, or does anyone else see this?

[nkdlunch]

I used to play that game, RISK I think it's called

[boutons_]

"allied Afghanistan"

... is no ally, it cannot assure it's own stabiity, never mind help with Iran.

For geographical containment to work, the US needs a few 100K more troops in Iraq AND Afghanistan, and for those troops NOT to be tied down with local battles.

I think the only credible US threat to Iran is a perfect storm of bombs and cruise missiles to reduce IRan to rubble, not geographical containment.

As has been pointed out, Iran can wreak tons of damage to Gulf oil countries and to shutting the straight of Hormuz, strangling the world's oil supply.

I love how you cowboys NEVER learn how to play geo-politics.

The way the Repugs are ing up in Iran and Afghanistain, those 2 countries will fall under Iran hegemony as theocratic states, later, if not sooner.

The US, with such long and expensive supply lines, cannot outlast Iran, cannot occuppy Iraq for decades.

Many, many years ago, Z Brezinski was on the cover of Time with his "arc of Islam" stretching from Pakistan to east Africa. That surely looks as probable as any outcome.

[Nbadan]

an allied Pakistan?!?

[Nbadan]

Iran is most likely the source of most, if not all, radical Islamic actions. Pin them between an American allied Afghanistan and Iraq (which will most likely have U.S. bases on them for some time coming). An allied Pakistan on their southern border, bases in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey to the north; and they're effectively cut off.

Common, don't get lazy, your half way there with your reasoning. I hate to see a wing-nut so close to the razor's edge and not feel tempted to nudge them over. Think - viewing the situation from a normal Iraqi, Afghan, or Iranian point of-view (Yes I realize apathy isn't easy for wing-nuts) and the word hemogamy - google it.