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(Reuters) - U.N. peace envoy Kofi Annan waded into big power politics on Tuesday, insisting regional heavyweight Iran should be involved in efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Syria crisis despite the West’s firm rejection of a role for Tehran.
13 comments
1 |
sliv_the_eli Tue, Jul 10, 2012 1:55:23pm |
Annan doubtless smells an opportunity for "Oil for Food II".
[Link: www.washingtonpost.com...]
| 2 |
sliv_the_eli Tue, Jul 10, 2012 2:59:48pm |
Here's some more evidence of the positive role Iran plays in seeking peace around the world:
Kenya police: Iranians shipped 100kg of explosives
Only fraction of powerful explosive sent to east African country has been recovered; police ask court to deny the suspects bail for fear they could continue plotting attacks on Israeli, US targets
Associated Press
Two Iranians accused of planning attacks on Western targets in Kenya shipped more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of powerful explosive into this east African country, and most of it has not been recovered, a police officer told a court Tuesday.
Iranian nationals Ahmad Abolfathi Mohammad and Sayed Mansour Mousavi are charged with preparing to commit acts intended to cause grievous harm after they were arrested last month and led officials to a 15-kilogram (33-pound) stash of the explosive RDX.
Police Sgt. Erick Opagal, an investigator with Kenya's Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, asked the court to deny the two suspects bail because more than 85 kilograms (187 pounds) of the explosive authorities say was shipped into Kenya has not been found.
"The police have information that the applicants (suspects) have a vast network in the country meant to execute explosive attacks against government installations, public gatherings and foreign establishments," Opagal said in an affidavit.
Granting bail would allow the suspects to continue planning attacks, he told the court.
Officials in Kenya say the two suspects may have been planning attacks on Israeli, American, British or Saudi Arabian interests in Kenya. Security officials believe the two are members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, an elite and secretive unit that acts against foreign interests.
[Link: www.ynetnews.com...]
| 3 |
TDG2112 Tue, Jul 10, 2012 3:19:01pm |
Iran has been looking for influence in Syria for some time. It seeks influence from Iraq to Lebanon. This isn't something really discussed much outside of really dull to listen to or read NPR/CSPAN show or Foreign Affairs magazine (e.g. [Link: www.foreignaffairs.com...]
Invading Iraq removed the gatekeeper that held them back from wider influence here and in other places. I'm not sure really what Anan is thinking here exactly, but resolution of hostilities will likely only come with Iran sitting somewhere at the table.
| 4 |
Bob Levin Tue, Jul 10, 2012 3:37:11pm |
re: #3 TDG2112
I'm not sure really what Anan is thinking here exactly, but resolution of hostilities will likely only come with Iran sitting somewhere at the table.
I think this would hold true only if your diplomatic toolbox consists of three items: talk, no talk, direct military action. There are other options.
| 5 |
SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jul 10, 2012 3:48:46pm |
Well, they are the big elephant in the room. Maybe it's saner to say it out loud.
| 6 |
sliv_the_eli Tue, Jul 10, 2012 3:50:32pm |
re: #3 TDG2112
re: #4 Bob Levin
It would be correct to accept that any resolution will need to recognize the role that Iran plays in helping to prop up the Assad regime. That does not mean, however, that we should treat Iran as having a positive role to play in trying to reach a resolution. Fact is, Iran will seek to block, in deed if not in words, any resolution that in any way threatens to reduce its ability to use Syria as a platform for supporting its Shi'a allies such as Hizb-allah in Lebanon.
| 7 |
Bob Levin Tue, Jul 10, 2012 4:29:42pm |
When is the last time you saw a discussion on how diplomacy is supposed to work? It's not like group therapy.
| 8 |
Destro Tue, Jul 10, 2012 9:27:25pm |
Maybe the instincts of a nation who thought invading Iraq and overthrowing Saddam or earlier arming Saddam to fight the Iranians or earlier arming Islamic fanatics to fight the Soviets should not be listened to.
Lebanon and Syria are mixed between Sunnis and Shia and they hate each other and Iraq is dominated by Shia as is Iran. If the USA disenfranchises the Shia in Syria we have a middle eastern inter religious war with Iraq destabilized by Iran and a split Shia portion of Syria and Iraq may fall even deeper into Iran's orbit. Iran getting involved in a peace process may not be a bad idea.
Maybe you are hoping for some Machiavellian plan to have all these Muslim groups fight each other but wars like that have a tendency to get out of control.
| 9 |
dragonath Tue, Jul 10, 2012 9:39:54pm |
re: #8 Destro
Maybe you are hoping for some Machiavellian plan to have all these Muslim groups fight each other...
You have a bad habit of putting words into other people's mouths.
| 10 |
SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jul 10, 2012 10:00:29pm |
re: #8 Destro
Maybe you are hoping for some Machiavellian plan to have all these Muslim groups fight each other but wars like that have a tendency to get out of control.
Who was hoping for that again?
| 11 |
Destro Wed, Jul 11, 2012 7:12:49am |
re: #9 Be Zorch, Daddio
I was running down all possible scenarios for what can happen if things get out of control in Syria by those wishing the UN peace efforts fail (and they seem to want it to fail so they can get rid of the Assad clan there).
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