Pace Paw Print

Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: Opinion

British sailors returning home from duty

When I woke up Tuesday morning, I turned on the cable news to hear the political analysts commenting on the "lack of training" and the "weakness" of the British troops who were captured by Iran and who have been seen on video tapes "apologizing" for their "trespass" and "thanking" the prime minister of Iran.

The immediate thought that came to my mind about these political analysts is, "Who are you to criticize them from your cozy warm interview chair?" The venomous criticism of these troops' actions was repeated again and again on cable news channels by analysts who, for the most part, have never been held hostage behind enemy lines. I will admit that I am not a supporter of the war, but I will not begin to second guess the troops on the ground and their reactions to a situation I cannot even fathom.

The British soldiers in this case were taken into custody and it is difficult to know what threats were made towards them or the danger they were in. Also, all the criticism of the British troops filming a tape about the "trespass" has not even considered the very real possibility that either the troops themselves had a cover story that was simply recited or that they were reading off of a script provided by the Iranians. The political commentators were almost sickening in their criticism of a situation which they knew nothing about, a situation they have not been in, and a situation that has not yet developed. Informed criticism is a good thing; however, criticism based on little experience and too many assumptions is simply speculation.

The most disturbing fact is that the commentators ignored an issue more important than criticizing the British troops: the growing problem in Iran. The current Iranian government is at best cold to American diplomatic interests and at worst, downright hostile. The capture of the British troops was a political move by the Iranians in order to flex their muscles on the world stage.

The Iranians are now emboldened by a weak Iraq and its power over world oil prices by any upset in their political situation (again another reason for the United States to invest heavily in renewable resources). It is important for both the Bush administration and Europe to know this and to be prepared to act. The most important thing is to realize that military action should be truly the last option, and not the first. One major advantage that the United States and Europe have over Iran is that although the government is quite antagonistic towards the United States, the people of Iran have in many areas accepted American culture and products. A walk down any major Iranian mall will lead you to a scene reminiscent of New York's Fifth Avenue with such names as Prada, Gucci, and Armani. A key weapon in the corner of the United Sates and Europe is the ability to stop the importation of goods into the country, which the population of Iran would not be happy with.

In short, the news media, which is a noble profession when pursued properly and ethically, has devolved by broadcasting criticism of a group of people under duress, completely missing the major issues of their capture.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools