Signs of the Times – part 15
Originally posted Jan. 25, 2012.
Quotes of the Day:
“If Washington did not want war with Iran it would not have provided the necessary weapons to Israel. It would not have deployed thousands of US troops to Israel.” Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
“If the war gets out of hand, and if Russia and China intervene or nukes start flying, Washington wants the blame to rest on Israel, and Israel seems willing to accept the blame.” Craig Roberts.
“Great Britain does as it is told, subservient and occupied Germany, bankrupt France, Italy occupied with US air bases with a government infiltrated by the CIA, bankrupt Spain and Greece will all, in hopes of an outpouring of US dollars and devoid of any dignity or honor, support the new war that could end life on earth.” Craig Roberts.
“On occasion, scientists working on the nuclear program in Iran turn up dead. I think that’s a wonderful thing, candidly.” Rick Santorum, Republican presidential candidate, addressing an election campaign in Greenville, South Carolina.
All carefully planned wars begin with economic sanctions. On New Year’s Eve America imposed new sanctions on Iran [To take effect in six months time]. And it is putting pressure on the rest of the world to do the same – initially with varying degrees of success. However, on Jan 23, the European Union leaders decided to join the party, and announced they would cease all new oil deals immediately, and ban all imports by June of this year. With this decision the EU will deprive Iran of 20% of its oil export market. Iran has already responded by repeating its often voiced threat to close the Straits of Hormuz. If action follows the rhetoric, and it actually does attempt to close the Straits, Iran will provide the Western Alliance with the pretext it needs to attack, and the current war by stealth will be upgraded to war by any means possible.
In the war by stealth phase, one thing that has slipped under the radar is the fact that, America was responding and not initiating the latest round of tit-for-tat sanctions. Iran finally took the plunge (albeit a small plunge), and threw sand in the face of America (albeit a small handful) – but it definitely got America’s attention.
For many years, Iran has been threatening to go down the same road that got both Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi unhorsed, dethroned and demised, namely, to stop accepting American dollars as payment in international trade. Although Iran is far more cautious than either Saddam or Gaddafi, and their un-American action is an arrangement only between itself and Russia. [And because it is only with Russia it will not affect trades in oil, because Russia does not need to import oil]. Therefore, it is only a small handful of sand in the eyes of America. However, the Americans are wise enough to know that Iran is simply “testing the waters” they know that if they do not respond to this Iranian provocation they will expand their un-American trades with other nations and the global trade monopoly that America enjoys will be under threat. [There are indications already that India is negotiating with Iran to pay for Iranian imports of oil with the Indian currency – rupees. http://www.presstv.ir/detail/219964.html]
As explained previously, the monopoly trade (using American dollars) that America has in the international market brings immense benefit to the American economy, but it is also America’s Achilles Heel. It is one of those “elephant in the room” phenomena that no one wants to talk about – and it is never mentioned as a reason for anything that America does. But if we had a chance to discuss the matter with people like Saddam Hussein or Muammar Gaddafi, it would probably be an enlightening experience. America cannot afford to lose its monopoly trading advantage – it cannot afford to have the dollar “dumped.” With all the economic indicators sliding downhill this would be a disaster for America.
The Iranians clearly understand these issues and they know the risks. They wanted to paint just a little bull’s eye on their backs and see what would happen. Well now they know. The American response has been: “If you’re not going to accept American dollars for your trades, then you won’t be making any trades at all” (at least not in your most important commodity – oil). Iran has to respond – will it provide an even greater bull’s eye by closing the Strait?
On Jan. 9, the Iranians sentenced an American to death for spying. Two days later an Iranian nuclear scientist was assassinated on the streets of Tehran (making this the fourth such assassination, out of five attempts). No one is claiming responsibility for anything and everyone is denying everything. Although one Israeli General made the helpful comment that: “Iran should be expecting more unnatural events in 2012” (Lt-General Benny Gantz. Israeli Defense Forces’ Chief of Staff).
As the sanctions are ratcheted up, so are the military preparations. Not all of them are going so well. America was supposed to deploy 9,000 troops to Israel for military exercises with the Israelis called “Operation Austere Challenge 12.” These war games were suddenly canceled or postponed, under mysterious circumstances – the official reason being that there was not enough money to pay for it. The insider speculation is that, there are major disagreements between the Americans and the Israelis, about how to proceed with Iran. The Israelis are pushing for Iran to be attacked before yesterday, and preferably before lunchtime. However, since it will be mostly American lives on the line, the Americans are much more cautious.
Nevertheless, American preparations continue – 15,0000 troops have recently been deployed to Kuwait (just across the Persian Gulf from Iran). Another aircraft carrier battle group has sailed through the Straits of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf (including French and British ships) to join the existing battle group already there. And in Georgia (just a hop, step and a jump from Iran) military installations are being built. Preparation in Georgia includes a brand new city, which will be a “United States military town” (according to opposition Georgian sources). In addition 30 military hospitals, have already been built with plans for 100 more (each hospital has a capacity for 20 patients). Why Georgia? Well, it is closer to Russia than Iran – the final destination on the road is not Tehran, not even Beijing, but Moscow.
God bless, Bruce Telfer.
