The situation in Egypt

[HappyHerring]

So the Egptyian military are to allow the Iranians through the Suez Canal - please pause for my fake astonishment! - hmmmm, the inherent conservatism in the region is starting to show itself!

 

 

This is so easy for me to say in my semi-comfortable european home but "keep struggling", let this be the middle eastern era of liberal revolution!

Edited February 20, 2011 by happy pig

[Harbringe]

So the Egptyian military are to allow the Iranians through the Suez Canal - please pause for my fake astonishment! - hmmmm, the inherent conservatism in the region is starting to show itself!

 

 

This is so easy for me to say in my semi-comfortable european home but "keep struggling", let this be the middle eastern era of liberal revolution!

 

From your previous post have to point out something .You mentioned a Iranian detachment landing in Gaza Strip ,there is no mention of this anywhere in any releases and besides it would be a wasted effort ,as once there the Iranians would have no means to support or resupply them ,the Iranians may be doing this to score a political victory but their not stupid .What they have mentioned is that the Warship component of this is going to have seamen cadets training in escort duty (supply ship).Which goes to your point about willing to accept the loss of a few ships .How so ,basically send an old destroyer with training cadets to deliver food and medicine to the Gaza Strip so if the Israeli's do sink em the Iranians score a huge moral and political victory in the region and change the context of the revolts going on in their favor ,only loosing some old ships and sea cadets (children).

 

The more basic issue involved here is the right of nations to deliver aid to the people of Gaza ,that's what the Turkish flotilla was testing ,the reasoning being is that the waters off Gaza Strip are not Israeli territorial waters and hence any nation or aid organization should have the right to deliver humanitarian aid .This isn't just a Gaza/Israel issue , its a basic tenet of Maritime law .This is what the Iranians are attempting to test and if it goes wrong trying to paint the Israeli's into the most unfavorable corner possible.

[JimboUK]

I'm surprised no one is discussing the horrors in Libya, it makes Egypts revolution look like a walk in the park. 1000's may be dead, the government have used air strikes on its own people, they're fired anti aircraft munitions into crowds, foreign mercenaries have been bought in to terrorise people and security men have even been murdering the injured in hospital. What we're seeing is truly horrifying.

 

A handy link for those wanting to follow events more closely and who can't get Al Jazeera, far better than the BBC, FOX and others.

 

Al Jazeera English.

[Aurielius]

http://i897.photobucket.com/albums/ac177/Aurielius/520cb8b4-e80d-4da7-bb0d-017f06888204.jpg

 

Sorry to be droll but saw it, and it appealed to my black sense of humor.

Edited February 25, 2011 by Aurielius

[WizardOfAtlantis]

That's a good picture, it's just missing Berlusconi with his arm around Geddafi.

[JimboUK]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1361629/Libya-protests-David-Cameron-plans-fly-zone-threatens-send-British-troops.html

 

Here we go again, what is happening in Libya is terrible but do we really need to get involved in yet another conflict? Anyway after the recent defence cuts the UK doesn't have much left to send.

[marharth]

It may sound bad but when I look at Libya I see it as positive.

 

A government like that isn't going to back down easy, people are going to die from trying to overthrow the government.

[JimboUK]

I have no problem with a no fly zone or even arming the rebels but I don't think putting people on the ground is a good idea, the place is very tribal and could descend into civil war once Gaddafi is gone, that's not something we want to be caught in the middle of. Anyway these uprisings could end up spreading right from the Atlantic into Asia, we can't possibly police them all. Instead of trying to solve the regions problems Europe should be making damn sure its borders are secure just in case there is a huge exodus from the effected areas.

[HappyHerring]

It may sound bad but when I look at Libya I see it as positive.

 

A government like that isn't going to back down easy, people are going to die from trying to overthrow the government.

I am hoping for the best. I hope that there are those among the Libyan etc peoples of the region who want the best for the region. I don't expect the best but I will keep hoping.

[Aurielius]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1361629/Libya-protests-David-Cameron-plans-fly-zone-threatens-send-British-troops.html

 

Here we go again, what is happening in Libya is terrible but do we really need to get involved in yet another conflict? Anyway after the recent defence cuts the UK doesn't have much left to send.

As much as I admire the RAF only the Typhoon's will be of any use and since you have recently decided to scrap the last of your carriers that makes the use of Harriers doubtful, a No Fly Zone will be problematic at best unless there is a French contingent as well. It is unlikely that America will do anything besides freeze assets and make speeches deploring the excesses of the Libyan government. It would surprise me in the extreme if Obama had the intestinal fortitude to initiate another possible conflict no matter how many Libyan civilians are at risk. Though Secretary of State Clinton does posit the question, lol..the only member of the government with any "cojones" is a woman.

Edited March 1, 2011 by Aurielius