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February 7, 2007
Is The U.S. Playing Harball In The Abduction Of An Iranian Diplomat?
Stratfor suggests the US is playing a bit of a game in the abduction of that Iranian diplomat ... who, Stratfor suggests, is an Iranian intelligence operative.
Jules Crittenden considers this and other options such as the Sunnis, and reminds us that Teheran doesn't respect our diplomatic immunity or sovereignty of our embassy - so what obligation do we have to respect theirs?
Along the same lines of thought, George Friedman and Kamran Bokhari point to two plausible options:
... Given the tactical details of the operation and the geopolitical backdrop, there are two possible explanations for the incident. One is that Sunni insurgents are responsible ...So from my viewpoint, regardless of who did it, if Iran itself isn't behind it - it's a win win for the U.S. and that's fine with me. Besides, as Jules says, Teheran doesn't respect our diplomatic immunity or sovereignty of our embassy - so what obligation do we have to respect theirs? Who the hell are they to complain to us about diplomatic immunity?... The Sharafi abduction seems designed to enhance Tehran's sense of vulnerability, and hence to fuel disagreements among those in Iran who feel the United States is at a weak point and those who warn that the United States is most dangerous at its weakest. The debate between these camps is about how to deal with the United States: whether to retaliate against provocations, pursue negotiations or a mix of both. This is precisely the kind of re-evaluation of its stance and options that the United States wants to see from Iran. The Americans want the Iranians to view the United States as a dangerous foe, and to moderate their appetite for power in the region. Therefore, even if the United States didn't order the Sharafi operation, it still fits into a pattern of warnings that the Americans have been issuing.
Posted by Richard at February 7, 2007 9:57 AM
