Second, the Europeans were alarmed by the strikingly similar stories they have heard from Arab ministers and Netanyahu in describing Iran’s efforts to destabilize the region and exploit conflicts, whether by smuggling arms into Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, using Shia militias to coerce governments, providing missiles to Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, encouraging terrorism and subversion, deploying missiles on bases in Syria and western Iraq, or developing factories to build precision guidance capabilities for thousands of rockets in Lebanon and Syria. In essence, those on the frontlines of regional conflicts told their European friends that Iran will not stop fomenting trouble abroad unless its costs for doing so become far more acute. Interestingly, Arab ministers noted that sanctions are only part of the solution; in their view, creating consequences for Iran also entails unifying their own efforts, portraying a solid, collective front of opposition, and doing much more to tell the Iranian public about the costs of their government’s adventures.The Washington Times also has a report. Similar but with some different info. I don't think this is widely reported outside the conservative press.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Arab-Israeli News
The conference in Warsaw is apparently interesting and promising. The Washington Institute gives a good summary.
It won't be in the WaPoo.
ReplyDeleteNope, it won't be.
ReplyDeleteIt harshes the whole 'the CIA installed the Shah and that's why they hate us' narrative, which you've pointed out is pretty much untrue but whatevs. All that Persian empire stuff is ancient history, literally.
It also makes the Orange Man and Orange Jr, as well as MBS, look pretty good. Can't have that, either.
I've been listening to a lot of WWI history lately, and it's made me think the 20th Century really started about June 1919. We're finally going to realize it's over in the next couple of years.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that the Euros are learning about Iran. Past time, but it's finally being addressed.
ReplyDeleteNow if Congress can be persuaded not to gut the effort in Yemen, it might be possible to make some progress.
ReplyDelete