A Critque of the criticisms

Submitted by Cyril Chilson (United Kingdom), Sep 28, 2014 at 18:54

Dear Daniel,

Why do I get the impression that your criticisms reflect above all a Republican anxiety ? Now , that it has transpired that President Obama is showing signs not only of temperance and patience (which the belligerent Repblicans always liked to present as 'liberal weackness') - but also of determination and ability to assume the role of C-in-C when really necessary - the Republicans are panic striken . Their thunder is about to be stolen. You should have hipped praises on your country's campaign against ISIL - instead of these partisanship-motivated criticisms.

Let's deal with your points one by one:

1 Iran is not quite there as yet. Scaremongering is futile and indeed counter-productive.

2. Leaving Iran to its own devices is a huge mistake. Don't forget: Russia is next door and will be more than delighted to get closer to Teheran if the West turns its back on Iran. You don't want that - do you?

3 Pipes iron rule is far from being the rule of the thumb. No sound statesman let alone military commander should make any statements about his or her operation plans for the foreseeable future at the hight of an international military crisis. Espcially when keeping the regional coalition together is, as we all know, ןד a very tricky business and requires diplomatic adroitness. Yes, Israel might feel the odd one out but they will get over it - as indeed they did during the First Gulf War, Where does your allegiance lie anyway?

4 Moderate opponents to Assad do exist. Both Iran and Israel are not terribly happy about this. Surely you wish to minimise the influencial role of Iran in Syria. It follows that even Israel may profit from this. Ah... the Israelies are trying to perish any thoughts about a revival of the peace negotiations with Syria. They are determined to keep the Golan heights at any cost, don't they

5 "Destroying oil production facilities is almost always a mistake." From the point of view of an oil industry big shot. Not to worry. War can be a good opportunity to make good money through government contracts. Think 'Halliburton'.

5 Why? Are you a leftist or something?

Yours truly,

Cyril Cihlson

Oxford UK

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