Brit Soldier Release - Increase or Decrease Likelihood of Attack on Iran?

[Blackhatjack]

Now that the Brit Soldiers are being released by the Iranians, will that act increase the likelihood that there will be an attack on Iran?

Argument in favor - Now that there will be no Brit soldier lives to be used as 'human shields' and propaganda puppets, the door is wide open for an attack on Iran. After all, the soldiers were wrongfully taken in the first place, and nothing has changed regarding the nuclear enrichment program.

Argument against - Now that the Brit soldiers have been released 'as a gift' by Iran, this is evidence of 'good faith' on their part, and is evidence that Iran wants to engage in diplomacy and avoid military confrontation.

Is it too cynical to believe that the NeoCons would have preferred that the Brit soldiers not be released for their own selfish purposes, and that they have now lost an important linchpin issue in justifying a military attack on Iran?

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Maybe neither. There'll be an attack simply because it's circled

on the calendar.

[whistle]

2. I agree with you Bush/Cheney will order the attack because their

....handlers have told them that Iran must be invaded

[NightWatcher]

3. It makes it harder for US to do it with a "reason"

They released the 15 as an "Easter gift". I think that this frames the rumors of a Good Friday attack in a whole new light. I think that it makes it harder for them to attack Iran, but they have got all month to wait for an "excuse".

If something should happen here, we'll attack no matter what. I fear another 9/11 style attack (regardless of who is behind it).

[BOSSHOG]

4. It is a sad day for neocons

Something good happened in the middle east and no one got killed because of it. Those lunatics do not need a reason to send someone else to die somewhere but I suspect that they are awful pissed in the white house that Iran did something good. What other reason do they need to start a war?

[wakeme2008]

5. IMHO it makes it harder for Bush AND Blair to attack...

You probably could count Blair out as of now.

[Ganja Ninja]

6. You can never be too cynical when it comes to the neo-cons.

You want to know what they would have preferred? Read on:

Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Brit Wimps
Once again, it's me and Ralph Peters on the same wavelength, deploring the cowardice of the British sailors and marines kidnapped by Iran. When it happened, I said I hoped the ones who'd shamed their country would be court-martialed on return to Blighty, and given dishonorable discharges after a couple years breaking rocks in the Outer Hebrides (which, believe me—I've been there—have a LOT of rocks). Now, I confess, I wouldn't shed a tear if some worse fate befell them.

The only coherent response I get to these sentiments is: "How do you know what they've been through? How would YOU stand up?" To which the obvious reply is the one Dr. Johnson gave in some similar case: "I may criticize a carpenter who makes me a bad table, though I cannot make a table myself. It is not my job to make tables." It is the job of a Royal Marine to fight, and if necessary suffer and die, for his country. They know that when they go in. It's what they are told! I nurse a quiet hope that if put to the test, I would stand up as well as any Marine. Whether or not I would, however, is irrelevant. Whether or not I could stand up well to torture, I expect Marines to.

More here: http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MGNkYmUxOTAyMmZkNWU5ZGQ2YTAxMmJiNmQ3MDRmNmU=

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. These types are here too. I can feel their RW, warmongering stink two forums away. -nt

[Blackhatjack]

7. Now which countries would characterize this act by Iran as a 'bad thing'....

You have to acknowledge that Ahmadinejad played this one to his benefit, and releasing the Brit Soldiers has raised their standing in the eyes of other UN Security Council Members. THis will strengthen the resolve of Russia and China in particular to imposed even tougher sanctions on Iran.

[soothsayer]

8. much, much harder, imho.

[devilgrrl]

9. Big Oil will have the final say on that.

As they did with Iraq and Afghanistan.... They run the country.

[blues90]

10. I don't know if the brits will make any difference at all .

This was not part of the PNAC plan , it's all about power and oil and nothing else as far as I can see . This is what Iraq was about along with the permanent bases to reach out and attack and secure Iraqi oil .