Thursday, August 30, 2007

Beware of classing Iran's Guards as terrorists

From CFR's Ray Takeyh in the FT, here
"... Despite their attempts to arm and train Iraqi Shia militias and advance Iran's nuclear programme, the Guards have not opposed negotiations with the US. Indeed, it would be inconceivable for talks on the nuclear issue or Iraq to have proceeded without the Guards' approbation. The administration's attempt to coerce and put pressure on this organisation is likely to trigger its antagonism towards further dealings with the US."

1 comment:

bishop said...

it is weird how this army (Rev. guard) is protrayed as so independent from the government... i don't think i believe that either. i think they work directly for the mullahs.

but as far as labeling them a terrorist group... that would be like labeling American Black Ops (or any of our "special" forces) terrorist. (or the Mossad)

i guess the problem we have with the Rev. guard is those business ventures and the like. that IS weird for an army... we have private businesses for all of that. that doesn't make one better than the other... but that gives us a pretext to go after their money.