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The 2008 'Fear Iran' World Tour

By TChris, Section Foreign Affairs
Posted on Sat Jun 14, 2008 at 11:48:00 PM EST
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If the surge has worked as well as President Bush and his older twin John McCain would have us believe, why can't British troops leave Iraq?

Last week media reports said Britain could possibly pull all its forces out by the end of the year, but with the situation still unstable on the ground that appears unfeasible.

Gordon Brown must be thrilled about the prospect of having his picture taken with George "No Timetable" Bush.

Brown is battling against poor opinion poll ratings and Iraq is a divisive issue in Britain.

Birds of a feather.

Bush has been meeting with European leaders to stir up fear of Iran. The Times says Bush "was warmly greeted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel," who may simply have been anticipating another massage.

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    The 2008 'Fear Iran' World Tour | 11 comments (11 topical)

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    Angela Merkel was rather circumspect (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by oculus on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 02:52:00 AM EST
    in her appraisal of Bush's legacy, per the NYT:

    Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, in Berlin, was asked how she assessed his presidency and whether she would miss him. She praised him as the kind of leader with whom she could call "a spade a spade" but, tellingly or not, she did not say how she would feel when he was gone.
    Sounds Like She's Got His Number (none / 0) (#10)
    by squeaky on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 11:58:22 AM EST


    Parent
    Isn't the question (none / 0) (#1)
    by txpolitico67 on Sat Jun 14, 2008 at 11:50:45 PM EST
    of where British troops come and go best answered by the British government?

    It seems the Iraqis aren't so eager (none / 0) (#3)
    by litigatormom on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 12:06:55 AM EST
    to agree to Bush's proposed treaty-that-doesn't-require-Senate-approval, since it apparently ignores the sovereignty of the democratic Iraq that 4000+ Americans have supposedly died to establish and strengthen.  In particular, the Iraqis don't like the Bush Administration's demand that American forces in Iraq have the discretion to conduct military operations without the approval of the Iraqi government. They're also not crazy about the US demand that they US military be permitted to arrest and detain Iraqi nationals without the consent of the Iraqi government.  The Iraqis have already put the kabosh on a provision that would have continued immunity for military contractors; this will likely make it harder for firms like Blackwater to maintain a presence there.  

    But how much do you wanna bet that thereal reason for the Iraqis' refusal to agree to such terms is their fear that the US would use that discretion  to attack Iran without getting the Iraqi government's permission?  

    Wow (none / 0) (#4)
    by Alec82 on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 12:14:30 AM EST
    Until 2003, I never would have believed that Blair could screw Labour this badly.  

     I really don't know what this administration is hoping to accomplish as it dies off, apart from guaranteeing a Tory victory in the near future.  

    at this point, (none / 0) (#6)
    by cpinva on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 05:08:58 AM EST
    pres. bush has become toxic to any other world leader with half a functioning brain; they can't avoid him, but that doesn't require they also be cheerleaders.

    his legacy will include squandered american prestige and lives. that's going to be some presidential library filler.

    Iraq 4 evah (none / 0) (#7)
    by pluege on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 06:03:06 AM EST
    If the surge has worked as well as President Bush and his older twin John McCain would have us believe, why can't British troops leave Iraq?

    because "the surge" is complete BS, the violence is down because ethnic cleansing is complete, and "we are winning" is not we have won - its only the new "stay the course" meaning stay in Iraq forever.

    With a Friend like Bush... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Niffari on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 06:51:13 AM EST
    With a friend like Bush, Brown doesn't need enemies. Of course he has them and they will exploit his lack of grit in confronting Bush. Brown is not long for Prime Minister at the rate he's going.

    As for the surge in Iraq, it's worthless. There are pockets of security and stability surrounded by various armed groups scheming for advantage. I say let them have at it. It's not our country, and here's news for Cheney, they don't want us there.

    After reading some of the (none / 0) (#9)
    by Florida Resident on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 10:54:37 AM EST
    articles, editorials, and opinions on the subject of Iran in the NYT.  I fear that the MSM is more than willing to play the same role on Iran as they did on the Iraq issue back in 01-03.  It seems IMO that as we just never learn.

    Because "access" (none / 0) (#11)
    by jondee on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 12:32:31 PM EST
    is everything and access requires playing ball and staying on message or risking punishment entailing the withdrawl of access.

    Parent
    Just to state the obvious (none / 0) (#12)
    by laurie on Sun Jun 15, 2008 at 02:00:06 PM EST
    Berlusconi adores Bush. So does Sarkozy. Brown felt a little neglected by Bush when he visited the States recently because for some unknown reason he chose the same week as the Pope!!!
    Angela Merkel is a very canny politician who knows what she's doing.
    At the moment Europeans are worried about the price of crude oil, and the rise in price of food staples such as rice and grain. They are all playing cautious-even more than usual.
    The 2008 'Fear Iran' World Tour | 11 comments (11 topical)

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