So the Iranians, flush with anti-US nationalism after capturing and humiliating 10 or so US sailors for a day, a few months ago, are threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz to all US petroleum shipping if we or our allies(Israel) "threaten the Islamic Republic". (About 1/3 of all commercial petroleum flows through the Strait)
Make whatever argument you like regarding US meddling in the region, their affairs are none of our business, we brought terrorism on ourselves, whatever, but such a move would likely do serious damage to our economy, at least in the short term. I think the US would be within its rights to defend our petroleum shipments out of the region and Iran would be wise to get out of the way.
Not sure Obama has the stones or desire to go toe-to-toe with Iran in their back yard, but if he cares about his legacy, he should consider what the historians will write about most, his aggressive defense of legal American assets in international shipping lanes, or his submissive obeisance to blood-thirsty mullahs who chant "death to America" every time there's a camera around.
7 comments:
Well said, Ed. I hate to imagine what Putin, Xi, Kim, the Ayatollahs, etc. might due before January 20th. They will either use some small discretion and get totally away with whatever they do; or trigger a major war. Alternative, Obama's unicorns and rainbows will break out everywhere.
I think as always, Obama will avoid taking any action, other than "leading from behind" in the middle east. He's sympathetic to all of Islam and genuinely believes that the American military, above terrorists, is the source of all evil in the modern world.
That said, if his legacy is at risk, he'll probably take some action, but only defensive, to safeguard the passage of US petroleum shipments through the Strait. Like all Presidents, he's going to tip-toe through his lame-duckness and hope nothing catastrophic happens that forces him to make any decisions except how to further restrict private gun ownership.
It's not so much Hormuz that worries me, but the artificial islands the ChiComs are building and fortifying and the Russkies doing simulated attacks on our ships.
"Iran does not fear Obama, nor should they"
"Nor should they" is right. Freudian slip, methinks.
That wasn't Freudian slippage, Isaac. I meant that Obama is not an American president that is to be feared by those who would do us harm.
Since President Jefferson, the USN has protected freedom of navigation, by force if necessary.
To Stephen comment: Brush up on the Bretton Woods agreement or read the book "The Accidental Superpower". It explains a deal that was struck for the US to be the guardians of the seas.
Post a Comment