American assets, mainly embassies, are now being attacked or enduring large protests (sometimes with several thousand people) in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East today. There have been 4 US deaths in Libya (incl. the Ambassador) and now 2 Marines [NZ 12noon 15/9] are dead in Afghanistan where the US and UK main bases in Afghanistan are under rocket, mortar and rifles attack (Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion). This is where Prince Harry is.
Marines have been landed in Yemen and are being sent into Sudan. Related posts: Locations: Anti-US Protests, ‘Bad Friday’: Summary of anti-US protests, Deaths.
2 US warships have been scrambled to the Libyan coast and US drones are coming under islamic anti-aircraft fire.
Is America at war? No, I don’t think so, but this is a continuation of what George W Bush called “the War on Terror” a term the Obama White House has refused to accept. This despite labelling the Republicans this week as waging a “war on women” because of internal domestic policies at variance with the Democrats over contraception, abortion and reproductive health.
US and UK soldiers and civilians are being engaged in combat with rockets and automatic rifles, molotov cocktails; military war ships and aircraft are involved as well as anti-aircraft batteries. This is a war, a “war on terror” as GWB said.
Of more concern, is that if things get worse in the area of anti-American sentiment and protests (now in 20 countries), Israel may use the opportunity to pre-emptively strike the Iranian nuclear facilities without international accord. This would erupt violence and war across the Middle-East, but Israel would count that cost against the bigger threat of Iran getting nuclear capability (which would be a death sentence for Israel). This would certainly bring us to the brink of war.
However, there is some good news. Despite the huge protests in Egypt -the center of the Muslim world in the M.East- the Muslim administration there (backed by billions from the US) has gone on TV saying publicly that attacking US diplomats is “un-Muslim.” Other leaders, such as Karzai in Afghanistan have also called for restraint. Moderate Muslims in several countries have sought to distance their populations from the extremist elements dominating the dramatic protests and violence and many support America and detente with the West.
America is still fully engaged in the “War on Terror” which the Obama White House now has to acknowledge (Obama’s foreign policy of appeasement and peace has failed). I think it is likely, almost certain, that Israel will attack Iran, but I predict not in September. Israel will seek to build an accord with whatever Allies it can before it considers a surgical strike against Iran. I predict they will wait until after Nov. 6 to see if they get Romney rather than Obama as US President. Romney supports Israel 100%. [I have already said I believe the current foreign policy ineptitude since 9/11 has cost Obama the Nov. election Has Obama Just Lost the Election?]. Tonight Obama is at a $40,000 per ticket Democrat dinner and fundraiser for his campaign. ???????. Why is he not in the White Huse? US soldiers are being killed.
But if (I say “when“) Israel acts against Iran, this will create a war in the M.East and perhaps a wider pan-Muslim attack on Israel and probably the West as well (such as in Asia). Internationals will blame Israel, who, if necessary, will stand alone. NZ will then have to decide whose side it is on.
We call it what it is: mass, anti-Western, religious-based rioting across MENA. Any US response is not war, but the normal (and appropriate) response to protect its citizens and diplomatic staff. It will be recalled, that the West too, has these sorts of crazy affairs: the Sikhs lost how many in the recent shooting? 7 or so? That was an anti-Islam, religious-based massacre pure and simple.
As a side note, it’s also probably a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by Libya (at least).
I don’t think we are still in the war on terror. The current administration no longer uses that term. I never thing we were in the war on terror, because it was not a “war” in the military strategy sense, nor was it on “terror” as such, but on Al Qaeda and affiliates. It was a political concept, one that is no longer relevant. We have to be careful not to include these current happenings in that conflict, just because the are muslim and does not mean they are terrorists. In fact if they target US government property, then they are not terrorists in any event, because they are not targetting a civilian population.
Also, I doubt Israel will attack Iran if Obama is President. As much as the Prime Minister does not like Obama at all, he’s too smart not to attack without US approval. He’s not the only one call the shots either, there are a hell of a lot of moderates in the Israeli cabinet (thank God) and in the party too, that have their reins on…
What do we call this?
The consequences of the Bush doctrine.
We call it what it is: mass, anti-Western, religious-based rioting across MENA. Any US response is not war, but the normal (and appropriate) response to protect its citizens and diplomatic staff. It will be recalled, that the West too, has these sorts of crazy affairs: the Sikhs lost how many in the recent shooting? 7 or so? That was an anti-Islam, religious-based massacre pure and simple.
As a side note, it’s also probably a breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations by Libya (at least).