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#1 Nov 14 2006 at 2:34 AM Rating: Decent
Axis of Evil? Nukes? Regime change?

Nah, we didn't mean it. What we meant to say was "Help us!"

Quote:
Tony Blair has urged George Bush to make a dramatic U-turn by drawing Iran and Syria into efforts to bring stability to Iraq and forge a long-term peace in the wider Middle East.

The Prime Minister joined a clamour in Washington for the US President to drop his hardline approach towards what he regards as two rogue states. In his annual foreign affairs speech to the Lord Mayor's Banquet last night, Mr Blair offered Iran a "clear strategic choice" - a partnership if it stops supporting terrorism in Lebanon and Iraq and accepts its international obligations, or isolation if it did not. His advisers said the same choice applied to Syria.

MPs believe Mr Blair is seeking to exert leverage on President Bush over the Middle East at a time when he is weakened domestically and the influence of his neoconservative allies has waned. One Labour source described next month's Study Group report as Mr Bush's "get out of jail card". It is also likely to call for a phased withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.

But there are signs that the Prime Minister and the President are at odds over Iran and Syria, with Mr Bush declaring that Iran must first halt its nuclear programme. "If Iranians want to have a dialogue, they must verifiably suspend their enrichment activities," he said.


Now, this might come to absolutely nothing. Bush might tell Blair "Yo Blair, shut the fUck up, ******! I ain't getting jiggy with no A-rabs."

But, in his infinite wisdom, Blair might tell him they are not Arabs, and that it's the least worst thing to do. And Bush might listen. Not to Blair, of course, but to his advisors telling him the same thing.

Don't get me wrong, i think it's a good thing. Talking. Much better than blocking your ears and pretending they don't exist. But I don't think the "threatening them with sanction" is the best way to make them help us.

Let's face it. If we, the West, are ever gonna sort out some of the ME's throniest issues, we're gonna need the help of Iran (for Iraq, Palestine), and Syria (for Lebanon and Hezbollah).

So, time to put down the gun, and pick up the phone?

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#2 Nov 14 2006 at 2:45 AM Rating: Default
The idea has merit, though is idealistic. Face it, some kids just can't play nicely together.
#3 Nov 14 2006 at 4:07 AM Rating: Decent
I don't think it's idealistic at all. In fact, it's very much within the realist framework of talking to your "ennemies". Even at the height of the cold war, the US and Russia were on speaking terms, if not officially, always through proxy. It's not only the sensible thing to do, it's also the mature thing to do.

I can't see what good can come out of "ignoring" other nations. What's the likely outcome? That they will be so distraught at being ignored that they will change their behaviour? I doubt it. All it does it create a siege mentality, and a feeling of paranoia. That, and it gives regime a great excuse for consolidating their powers. Look at NK and Iran: All they ever tell their people is that the US hates them and wants to bomb them. Talking to them would go a long way towards changing that.

Now, i don't think the "Help us or we'll sanction you" rethoric is going to work either. I think little threats don't work against those regimes. So what if the people starve? Does Ahmadinejad care? I doubt it.

The crucial thing is that deep down, I don't think Iranian interests and US interests are fundamentally opposed to one another. Or, at least, they don't have to be. Sure, Iran is not a very nice regime, but do they really threaten the US? Especially if they were an economic partner, as they are with China and Russia, why shouldn't they get on?

Finally, it seems that the tactic will be to divide Iran and Syria so as to isolate one of them, hence putting pressure on it.

But I still think both are needed on our side, in their own way, to solve out many of the ME's problems.

Edited, Nov 14th 2006 at 4:09am PST by RedPhoenixxxxxx
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#4 Nov 14 2006 at 5:54 AM Rating: Default
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RedPhoenixxxxxx wrote:
if it stops supporting terrorism in Lebanon and Iraq and accepts its international obligations, or isolation if it did not.
Bussiness as usual. Of course we'd open up talks with them if they completely changed their behavior from supporting terrorism to striving for peace. This is not a change at all, but rather a clarification. It constitutes no change at this time, nor until Syria and Iran make drastic changes that they're not likely to make.
#5 Nov 14 2006 at 6:50 AM Rating: Decent
ThePalace wrote:
This is not a change at all, but rather a clarification. It constitutes no change at this time, nor until Syria and Iran make drastic changes that they're not likely to make.


It is quite a change. Before, neither Iran nor Syria were offered anything, even if they had stopped supporting Hezbollah.

Today, we are thinking about saying to them "If you help us, we'll reward you." It is quite a departure from saying "If you don't stop, we'll sanction you."
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#6 Nov 14 2006 at 6:56 AM Rating: Good
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glass parking lot!! WOO HOO!
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#7 Nov 14 2006 at 6:59 AM Rating: Good
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I don't know about that Blair kid. Seems shifty.
#8 Nov 14 2006 at 7:06 AM Rating: Decent
Atomicflea wrote:
I don't know about that Blair kid. Seems shifty.


It's the typical story. He used to be ok, then he grew older, started to hang out with the wrong crowd, and now no one trusts him.

I think he did some ok stuff for Britain, but his main legacy will unfortunately be the Iraq war. It's a stain that will never go away...

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#9 Nov 14 2006 at 7:12 AM Rating: Good
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Blair's on the way out. He's doing the same spin just like our belovêd president is with all of a sudden suggesting that we all get along.

Maybe he's worried about where his past stance on the matter will leave his Labour Party in the eyes of the mob once he steps down in less than a year?
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#10 Nov 14 2006 at 7:17 AM Rating: Good
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When i stop to think about it, it makes me sad. All the world was our friend, everyone supported us finding Osama and doing what we had to do. How did we get this far gone? Smiley: disappointed

Of course I'm a smart cookie and I know how, but still. It's overwhelming at times.

Edited, Nov 14th 2006 at 7:18am PST by Atomicflea
#11 Nov 14 2006 at 7:19 AM Rating: Decent
Kelvyquayo the Irrelevant wrote:
glass parking lot!! WOO HOO!



That's the idea, sport.
#12 Nov 14 2006 at 7:20 AM Rating: Good
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Flea wrote:
How did we get this far gone? icon

Of course I'm a smart cookie and I know how, but still. It's overwhelming at times.



never underestimate man's ability for retardedness.

Edited, Nov 14th 2006 at 7:21am PST by Kelvyquayo
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#13 Nov 14 2006 at 7:53 AM Rating: Decent
Kelvyquayo the Irrelevant wrote:

Maybe he's worried about where his past stance on the matter will leave his Labour Party in the eyes of the mob once he steps down in less than a year?


I don't think he gives a shIt. He's concerned about his legacy, for sure, which is why he's trying to be a peace-maker/broker now. But the future of the Labour Party? I think he couldn't care less.

I'm becoming more and more certain out next elected government will be conservative. It's sad, but then again New Labour was pretty right-wing in many ways, and the new Conservatives, with Cameron at the helm, seem kinda leftist. They're probably wolves in sheep's clothing, but Blair was definately a wolf in wolves clothing, so I guess the difference will be cosmetic.

Still, yuo're right, he's pretty much in the same situation as your Prez.

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#14 Nov 14 2006 at 9:20 AM Rating: Decent
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RedPhoenixxxxxx wrote:
It is quite a change. Before, neither Iran nor Syria were offered anything, even if they had stopped supporting Hezbollah.

Today, we are thinking about saying to them "If you help us, we'll reward you." It is quite a departure from saying "If you don't stop, we'll sanction you."
For one thing Britain has always been more open to talks than us. Beyond that it always went without saying that we'd all be willing to talk if they cleaned up their act. It doesn't need to be said. It's like saying if the clouds go away it'll probably stop raining - no kidding huh.


It's all empty talk as it stands. They're not going to change, so Britain will never have to come through on those talks based on these statements. However, Britain may open talks anyways, just because they're always more open to talks. Whether we will is an entirely different question, the answer to which probably begins with answering the question "Is Bush still president?". I think it's a bit of a stretch to take something Blair said and say "we are thinking"... There are many things Blair does and says that Bush will not be thinking about much at all.
#15 Nov 14 2006 at 2:49 PM Rating: Decent
It is idealistic because the United States aids Israel with weapons, planes, bombs, training, funding, and the like. Then Israel uses these weapons to kill muslims. Other muslims such as Iran see the United States doing this, and dislike it. Muslims and Jews have been at it since oh, I don't know, the beginning of time. The are NOT going to just get along because people want them too. I think it is safe to say Israel only exists today because of major backing from the United States. Why do you think the US doesn't want Iran to have nuclear weaponry? Is it because the US feels that Iran might nuke the US? No, it is because the US is afraid Iran might nuke Israel, or selling said technology to terrorists that would either attack Israel or the US and its allies would be a close second. For NK to have nuclear weaponry is unfavorable because it will drive an arms race in that region that the US has many intrests in. Furthermore, it is possible that NK would sell this technology to Iran, Syria, and/or terrorist organizations. The only win in this situation as far as American intrests go, is if Crazy Kim decides to disarm and dismantle, and even if he did, it would be highly scrutinized, and widely unbelieved.
#16 Nov 14 2006 at 4:12 PM Rating: Good
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RedPhoenixxxxx's Sig wrote:
everyone you see leaves a mark on your soul,
everyone you bare leaves a mark on your soul,
everyone you touch leaves a mark on your soul,
everyone you love leaves a mark on your soul
everything you take leaves a mark on your soul,
everything you give leaves a mark on your soul,
and all the fear and loneliness that's impossible to control,
and every tear you cry leaves a mark on your soul

I'm putting your sig on suicide watch.


#17 Nov 14 2006 at 4:23 PM Rating: Good
Ministry of Silly Cnuts
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Phone in hand? (Check)
Walther PPK strapped to the ankle (Check)

That works

Jaw-Jaw>War-War (Check)

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#18 Nov 14 2006 at 7:38 PM Rating: Good
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Atomicflea wrote:
When i stop to think about it, it makes me sad. All the world was our friend, everyone supported us finding Osama and doing what we had to do. How did we get this far gone?


Honestly. I don't think it was us "getting this far gone" or anything. I think that the world wasn't nearly as much behind us as you may have thought. They felt sorry for us. That's it. It's kinda like the difference between the outpouring of aid and support when a disaster occurs, and the startling lack of aid and support when talk turns to coming up with ways to prevent/avoid the next one.


Most of the world is comfortable with simply reacting to events as they feel is appropriate. Very few of them want to take proactive steps to change things. While you didn't say it, I'll assume you're point was aimed at our decision to go into Iraq. But what if we hadn't? So. We invade Afghanistan. Everything goes the same way it did. What then? Do you think those countries would have continued to support the US when it came time to start sending forces around the globe searching for Bin Laden? That is what we were supposed to be doing instead of invading Iraq, right? Where would we have gone? Would Pakistan have been happy to see US troops conductig searches and attacks on camps in their country? What about other members of Al-qaeda in other countries? How long do you *really* think that vaunted worldwide support would have lasted?


Heh. Kinda reminds me of all the support for "finding and stopping the terrorist" after 9/11. Contrasted a few years later to Lib's saying "Well. When we demanded you make us safer at home and stop future terror attacks, we didn't mean actually create a surveilance program to try to catch terrorists before they attack. Oh, and we didn't really want you to track their banking records either....".

It's not like we lost worldwide support. They never really supported the actions that needed to be done from the beginning. We had pity. That's it. No one wanted us to actually do anything about terrorism. They just wanted to show that they were "good people" by feeling all sorry about the attacks and making it sound like they're supportive. At least while the issue is fresh on everyone's minds...
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#19 Nov 14 2006 at 8:43 PM Rating: Decent
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Rimesume the Shady
Scholar wrote:
It is idealistic because the United States aids Israel with weapons, planes, bombs, training, funding, and the like. Then Israel uses these weapons to kill muslims. Other muslims such as Iran see the United States doing this, and dislike it. Muslims and Jews have been at it since oh, I don't know, the beginning of time. The are NOT going to just get along because people want them too. I think it is safe to say Israel only exists today because of major backing from the United States. Why do you think the US doesn't want Iran to have nuclear weaponry? Is it because the US feels that Iran might nuke the US? No, it is because the US is afraid Iran might nuke Israel, or selling said technology to terrorists that would either attack Israel or the US and its allies would be a close second. For NK to have nuclear weaponry is unfavorable because it will drive an arms race in that region that the US has many intrests in. Furthermore, it is possible that NK would sell this technology to Iran, Syria, and/or terrorist organizations. The only win in this situation as far as American intrests go, is if Crazy Kim decides to disarm and dismantle, and even if he did, it would be highly scrutinized, and widely unbelieved.


Can i just tell you that i FREAKING LOVE YYOUR AVATAR

and yeah but to stay on topic i hate the war or something...

edit: p.s. i hope shes asian

Edited, Nov 14th 2006 at 8:53pm PST by Rejekted
#20 Nov 15 2006 at 2:11 AM Rating: Decent
ThePalace wrote:
Beyond that it always went without saying that we'd all be willing to talk if they cleaned up their act. It doesn't need to be said. It's like saying if the clouds go away it'll probably stop raining - no kidding huh.


That's not quit true. The US hasn't had official diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979. Sure, they've sold them weapons, but they haven't "talked" officially for a long, long time. Before this development, it would've taken a hell of a lot from Iran to get the US to talk to them again. So much , in fact, that it would have been an incredibly unlikely development. Today, we're thinking of offering some sort of diplomatic relations against some "help". That's quite different from regime change, which is what it would've taken before.

As for whether Bush will agree, that's a different thing. But many in the US seem to be pushing for that option too.

Read this, very intresting article.

Rimesum wrote:
It is idealistic because the United States aids Israel with weapons, planes, bombs, training, funding, and the like. Then Israel uses these weapons to kill muslims. Other muslims such as Iran see the United States doing this, and dislike it. Muslims and Jews have been at it since oh, I don't know, the beginning of time. The are NOT going to just get along because people want them too.


It's not that simple. In 1950, thre were around 100,000 Jews living, peacefully, in Iran. 150,000 in Iraq. 250,000 in Morocco. So this concept that Jews and Muslims can't coexist is completely stupid and quite "modern". Historically, it's not accurate. So it is very possible that it will change. That's the way History works, it swings one way then another.

I agree with you, though, that it's a long shot. But if we are realistic, no one is hoping that through this discussion all the ME's problems will be solve and that Jews and Muslims will hold hands and form a line from Rabat to Islamabad singing "Imagine". Obviously.

What might happen, though, is that tensions will ease up. Like I said before, Iran could very well live with ISrael on its doorstep, and vice-versa. Their ennemity is not eternal. it can change. it's all about national interest. Right now, it is in Iran national's interest to "hate" Israel. But that could change tomorrow. Honestly, the Arab and Persian states around Israel don't give a sh*t about Palestine. It's all show. It's all for domestic popularity and national interest. When Israel was created, most of the Palestinian refugees were turned away from those "friendly states". That's why there are still so many refugees in Palestine... Why do you think the surrounding do nothing for them? They just don't care. Or arther, they care enough to talk, but note nough to act. And as we know, talk, especially amognst politicians, is very cheap.

All this to say, i think it's worth a shot. No, I think it would be crazy not to try. Fundamentally, Israel, Iran, and the US, all have interest in making it work.

Edited, Nov 15th 2006 at 2:57am PST by RedPhoenixxxxxx
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#21 Nov 15 2006 at 2:24 AM Rating: Decent
gbaji wrote:
I think that the world wasn't nearly as much behind us as you may have thought. They felt sorry for us. That's it. It's kinda like the difference between the outpouring of aid and support when a disaster occurs, and the startling lack of aid and support when talk turns to coming up with ways to prevent/avoid the next one.


Ah, the usual paranoia comes back. Of course the world felt sorry for you. It felt angry, too. And, obvisouly, it felt scared. We all knew that 9/11 could've happenened in Europe too. And, guess what, it kinda did! Not just in Europe, but in Bali, in Kenya, in Turkey... Islamic terrorism is not a US-only problem. We had terrorist attacks from Islamist terrorist in Paris in 1995. 6 years before 9/11. We have Muslims in europe that are far more open to the Islamic Fanatic rethoric that in the US. And we all know that terrorist attacks will happen In Europe. That's not a possibility, it is a certainty.

So it wasn't just as though the world was like "Yeah, sucks. Ah well, too bad." That's just your way of rationalising why most of the world is now pissed off with the US. You just cannot accept that Iraq was wrong, stupid, dangeous, misguided, and extremely badly managed. That it has created a whole new generation of terrorists, who are coming for us.

So ,you'd rather think the rest of the world is wrong, and are asSholes.


Quote:
But what if we hadn't? So. We invade Afghanistan. Everything goes the same way it did. What then? Do you think those countries would have continued to support the US when it came time to start sending forces around the globe searching for Bin Laden? That is what we were supposed to be doing instead of invading Iraq, right? Where would we have gone? Would Pakistan have been happy to see US troops conductig searches and attacks on camps in their country? What about other members of Al-qaeda in other countries? How long do you *really* think that vaunted worldwide support would have lasted?


You're lying. Pakistan allows for US special forces to operate in their territory. Still today, you dumb-***. And that's PAKISTAN, one of the most Islamic countries in the world. Do you really think Yemen would've been able to say "no" had you asked to send some there?

As long as the rest of the world thought your actions were justified and helped world stability and peace, they would've supported it.

The "support" you had was not a cosmetic. Europe, Muslim countries, and the US are in this TOGETHER. That's what idiots like you and the Bush administration cannot comprehend. It's not a US problem. It is a world problem.


Quote:
It's not like we lost worldwide support. They never really supported the actions that needed to be done from the beginning. We had pity. That's it. No one wanted us to actually do anything about terrorism. They just wanted to show that they were "good people" by feeling all sorry about the attacks and making it sound like they're supportive. At least while the issue is fresh on everyone's minds...


You're an idiot. They sent troops to Afghanistan. Why do you think they did that? Because of pity? Countries don't send their troops to Afghanistan because of "pity", you dumb-***.

The rest of the world supported your actions while they thought it helped to fight terrorism.

When you started to do things which everyone knew was counterproductive, that's when support faded. And yes, it's the usual: Iraq, Guanta, Abu, torture, rendition, etc...

The rest of the world is really not that bad, gbaji. You're just a sad paranoid fUck that can't accept that somewhere the US administration screwed up badly. And instead of acknoledging that, you'd rather try to convince people that the rest of the world are asSholes.

It's sad.

But mostly for you.



Edited, Nov 15th 2006 at 2:40am PST by RedPhoenixxxxxx
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#22 Nov 15 2006 at 6:57 AM Rating: Decent
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Well I had a nice explanation of the difference between Jews and Zionists written up when my damned browser crashed >.<


Okay, to make this short: Note that every time the terrorists and Israel haters refer to Israel they refer to "Zionists".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionism


Zionists are a sect of Jews that mass migrated into Israel for the sole purpose of taking it over. They are not the Jews that lived amongst the Arabs all those centuries. It's funny that the Arabs can make that distinction but noone else can. Not every Jew agrees with the Zionists.

http://jewsagainstzionism.com/

Warning on that link though... they're a little bit on the conspiracy theorist side, by implying that Zionists purposefully sparked racial hatred against Jews in order to get them driven out of Europe, so that they could bring them all to Israel. Take it with a grain of salt, but remember... history is built on conspiracies, so who knows.
#23REDACTED, Posted: Nov 15 2006 at 7:08 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Redcommy,
#24REDACTED, Posted: Nov 15 2006 at 7:16 AM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) Redcommy,
#25 Nov 15 2006 at 7:23 AM Rating: Excellent
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achileez wrote:
So you believe it's the responsibility of the US, and it's allies, to bribe countries that threaten us rather than destroy the threat? By the way how did Carters mission via Clinton work out with NK? Didn't they give them some reactors or something?
Bush apparently thought it was a good enough idea to pay N. Korea $95 million.

Bush was even nice enough to waive the requirement that we inspect for hidden weapons-grade plutonium before we cut N. Korea a check!
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#26 Nov 15 2006 at 7:24 AM Rating: Decent
I think when normal people talk about Zionism, they mean the people who believ in a God-given right to Greater Israel, which encompasses Palestine and some bits of Jordan.

When crazy fanatics talk about Zionism, it's just a synonim for Jewish that makes it sound a bit more scary.

And Achileez, hahahaha...

I'm not surprised you didn't like Europe, we don't take to kindly to shItheads like you.
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