| Tango01 | 12 Dec 2014 10:33 p.m. PST |
…Blow to Fragile Ties? "Sources on the ground in Iraq exclusively told Sputnik News that the US Air Force carried out strikes against an elite Iranian military unit – a unit that Tehran denies is even in the country. If those reports are true, what effect will this incident have on the future of US-Iranian ties?
The US air strikes just outside of the Iraqi capital Baghdad could have significant repercussions for the US, Iran, and their extremely fragile bilateral relationship…"
Full article here
link Amicalement
Armand |
| Mako11 | 13 Dec 2014 3:36 a.m. PST |
Well, since "they aren't on the ground in Iraq", I don't really see a problem……. |
 Murphy  | 13 Dec 2014 5:29 a.m. PST |
Anyone who thinks that "Iran is helping us because they are our friend" is an idiot and has learned nothing from the last almost 40 years… |
| David Manley | 13 Dec 2014 5:56 a.m. PST |
"Well, since "they aren't on the ground in Iraq", I don't really see a problem……." No complaints coming if the same thing happens the other way round since the US isn't "on the ground" either? "Anyone who thinks that "Iran is helping us because they are our friend" is an idiot and has learned nothing from the last almost 40 years…" Indeed, like most countries (US and UK included) the Iranians have "interests" as well as (or instead of) friends |
| Sigwald | 13 Dec 2014 6:34 a.m. PST |
+1 Mako11 Their Quds force operators have killed plenty of US & allied
troops in Iraq over the last decade and we just eat it. This one they eat and we drink delicious revolutionary tears |
 Legion 4  | 13 Dec 2014 8:49 a.m. PST |
Yes … the Persians are not the US's friends. They and their supported proxies like Hezzbollah killed a lot of Americans and other Westerners for decades. And why did the US give $148.8 USD Million in aid to Iran in 2012 ? I'm sure similar amounts were given in 2013 and this year … give or take a few million … |
| GarrisonMiniatures | 13 Dec 2014 9:32 a.m. PST |
I think that the US and Western countries in general have very few actual friends. Just a lot of countries who consider themselves to have common interests in certain areas. Countries act in their own interests and that includes the US. If it was considered to be in the overall interests of the US then they would quite happily break an agreement or alliance – and yes, it has happened before. |
| Legion 4 | 13 Dec 2014 9:58 a.m. PST |
And yet … the US and other Western countries continue to give aid to many of those who are not "friends", in any measure … And yes, the US and many other Western nations usually do what is best for themselves. It the way things work in geo-politics, etc. … for better of worse. I still wonder why the US gives to many, who clearly have anti-West leanings, predilections, perceptions and preferences … Again it's the nature of geo-politics, diplomacy, etc. … Many shades of grey … |
| Cyrus the Great | 13 Dec 2014 10:07 a.m. PST |
There is a war of competing influences in the region. They are Turkey (New Ottoman Empire), Iran (Persian Empire)and the outsider, United States, each with their own interests in the area. The U.S. policy always seems to be reactive rather than proactive, especially in Iraq where post WW II thinking still seems to be in vogue.
In to this mix we introduce ISIS and the politics indeed, offers strange bedfellows. Turkish and Iranian policies are focused, while the U.S. flounders around. We think Iraq is still a nation. We think Turkey is still defined as a NATO ally while it grows increasingly Islamicized.
We need some bold and revolutionary thinking about our place the region, and who our allies are going to be going forth, or we need to get out. |
| Mako11 | 13 Dec 2014 11:05 a.m. PST |
You'd think though, they'd learn eventually, that giving enemies billions of dollars does nothing to curry favor, and only makes them stronger. Sorry, David, you are wrong. We've publicly announced "boots on the ground", and a tentative reversal, and increase in numbers on a number of occasions. Heck, just the other day, Kerry said we may even need to send ground troops back in to fight ISIS, though I'm not sure how that'll happen, since many are getting pink slips while still serving in the Middle East. Apparently, the Iranians have not. |
| Sudwind | 13 Dec 2014 2:27 p.m. PST |
LOL….Sputnik News is the new hardline Russian propaganda outlet. Lulz. |
| cwlinsj | 13 Dec 2014 4:21 p.m. PST |
Some of you guy seem to believed this actually happened. As pointed out by Sudwind above, this is a NON-STORY pushed out by Sputnik International -formerly known as Russia International News Agency and Voice of Russia. If this were remotely true, it would have hit every global news agency in existence -and the NY Times! I can't even find this on Al Jazeera. |
| Blackhorse MP | 14 Dec 2014 12:15 a.m. PST |
Indeed, like most countries (US and UK included) the Iranians have "interests" as well as(or instead of)friends Didn't Hitler and Pol Pot have "interests" too? I wonder if folks who espouse these open-minded and objective opinions when discussing international relations would be quite so generous if it were applied to a personal situation where a foe wanted to kill them and burn down their house because it was in the foe's interests?(please don't anyone have a stroke, I'm not advocating that just making a point). |
Chortle  | 14 Dec 2014 12:58 a.m. PST |
And why did the US give $148.80 USD USD Million in aid to Iran in 2012 ? I'm sure similar amounts were given in 2013 and this year … give or take a few million … Aid is a way to channel money to enemies of the regime. You don't believe that old junk about aid being used to help people, do you? Britain gives "aid" money to a charity called "common purpose" in Libya, India and I guess elsewhere. Your aid money buys you influence and pushes friends or foes in a direction. This is why countries are often keen to disestablish foreign propaganda agencies or bring NGOs under stricter control (e.g. in Russia). |
| Sigwald | 14 Dec 2014 7:22 a.m. PST |
LOL….Sputnik News is the new hardline Russian propaganda outlet. Lulz. ha ha ha, fell for this one. No kidding, look for it elswhere and nothing, just like many fox news articles lol. Of course if it was real and could embarrass the US you could certainly expect the Russians to get it out there. |
| Legion 4 | 14 Dec 2014 1:22 p.m. PST |
Yes, I know all that Chortle. My question was rethorical, regardless … I firmly believe much of that $$$ could be used better at home … your or my county … Of course I know why the US gives aid to Russia. The US has no way to get to the ISS, without hitching a ride with the Russkies … and pay that + the aid … In 2012 the US gave Russia $440.90 USD million in aid … |
