There were two concerns I had when I learned that the British Embassy in Tehran had been stormed today. One concern was whether any hostages had been taken, which continues to be unconfirmed, and I was also worried about the reaction of the “usual suspects”, for whom Iran is worse than Nazi Germany. England has been dishonoured, they will cry, doing their best Palmerston impression, and, like him, think everything will be fine again if we blow some stuff up. It is time Johnny Foreigner learns some manners, and, by Gawd, we’re going to teach him some!
As galling as it is for any patriotic Briton to see a portrait of Her Majesty being manhandled by Johnny Foreigner, I think it is important to keep in mind that we are hurting Tehran way more than they are hurting us with this stunt. We have recently applied sanctions that go further than those of the United States, and we are probably aiding and abetting the covert campaign against Iran’s nuclear scientists.
I also think that before we get too caught up in our harsh measures against the regime in Tehran, it should be explained how we will both isolate it economically and diplomatically but also bring them into a regional settlement on Afghanistan. Both the United Kingdom and the United States need to prioritise these two problems if they are to achieve success with either.
The best way to handle the embassy storming is to criticise the regime for acquiescing to it, clean up the mess in the compound, and move on publicly while continuing to fuck Iran over every day through sanctions and covert actions.
surfacesailor
November 29, 2011
I recently watched the Frontline episode on Hugo Chavez. Towards the end it, the episode spoke about how Chavez would constantly speak about the evils of the US, and namely Bush. It went as far as to say that Chavez was a revolutionary with no revolution, he needed to provoke the US for his own narrative. I think he came kinda close to doing just that, as well. But, thankfully, the US had other things to concern itself with, and we mostly ignored him.
What you’re saying here is along the same lines, methinks. Yeah, it’s going to be damn hard, and it sucks, and the hell with Iran. But! Iran is attempting to change the game towards something they think they can handle better than the covert game we have been playing.
King Lear
December 5, 2011
What’s the problem with good old Pam? He was a bloody good foreign secretary.
teachersoldier
January 6, 2012
the saddest thing here is it’s going to be even bloody harder to get visas for Iran… >:o(