Britian takes detained troop case to UN

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by Sourdoughman, Mar 29, 2007.

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  1. Sourdoughman

    Sourdoughman TigerFan of LSU and the Tigerman

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    Sourdoughman, Mar 29, 2007
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  2. TigerKid05

    TigerKid05 Say Whaa!?!?

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    I don't don't the UN will get anything done. They are a bunch of push-overs
     
    TigerKid05, Mar 29, 2007
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  3. USMTiger

    USMTiger Founding Member

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    The UN will now craft a strongly worded letter telling Iran how mad they are.
     
    USMTiger, Mar 29, 2007
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  4. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    The Brits are going to address this themselves, but they are going about it the proper way. The Iranians are completely screwing up by capturing Brits and holding them hostage. It just reminds everyone about the 1979 hostage incident and points out the similarities between Iranian revolutionary guards and islamic terrorists.

    The Brits are going to put a major spotlight on all of this as it plays out. It will take a couple of weeks for Britain to get its entire fleet and most of its air force to the Gulf, but they are entirely capable of blockading Iranian oil tankers if needed.

    I expect The Iranians will back down after some high-sounding rhetoric. The Brits are in the mood for a scrap over this one. The revolutionary guard may have overstepped itself here which will force Ahmadinejad to react. Iran's international support is dwindling and this will only make it worse.

    Oh . . . Big Oil will instantly raise gasoline to $3 or $4 if a blockade happens.
     
    red55, Mar 29, 2007
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  5. USMTiger

    USMTiger Founding Member

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    I agree with Reds analysis. This type of charade is only going to wither support and sympathy for Iran.

    As for an oil blockade: I wonder if we could replace the losses with newly available oil from Iraq? Maybe not initially, but I think an Iranian embargo could help the situation in Iraq in terms of ramping up their output and revenues.
     
    USMTiger, Mar 29, 2007
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  6. LSUsupaFan

    LSUsupaFan Founding Member

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    They are taking the diplomatic road now, which is appropriate. If this continues a blockade becomes a necessity, and it would cripple Iran. I think the only way Britain retaliates militarily is if a sailor is harmed.
     
    LSUsupaFan, Mar 29, 2007
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  7. TigerWins

    TigerWins Founding Member

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    Iraq not stable enough to produce more oil. Still too many attacks on the infrastructure. Oil prices have already jumped up more than $6 since this started a few days ago. Just imagine what a real embargo would do to prices. Easily over $100. Countries like Russia, China and Japan rely heavily on Iranian oil and won't support such an embargo.

    Iran is just testing the waters to see how far they can push the west. They'll return the soldiers in a few days. If I'm not mistaken, they did this a couple of years ago and released the british soldiers after a few days.
     
    TigerWins, Mar 29, 2007
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  8. Bengal Buddy

    Bengal Buddy Founding Member

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    The UN can bring diplomatic pressure to bear on Iran. Other than that, there is really not much you can reasonably do.
     
    Bengal Buddy, Mar 29, 2007
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  9. USMTiger

    USMTiger Founding Member

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    Illegally kidnapping another nations troops in uniform without provocation is an act of war. However you are correct: dropping bombs is not reasonable at this point.
     
    USMTiger, Mar 29, 2007
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  10. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    They wouldn't support an embargo, but they couldn't stop Britain from imposing a naval blockade unless they were prepared to go to war with them. China's navy is tiny and Russia's is rusting at anchor. Iran could still move oil through pipelines, but losing the supertankers will cripple them sufficiently. On the other hand, Britain might be blamed for the resulting rise in international oil prices rather than Iran.
     
    red55, Mar 29, 2007
    #10
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