tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post117485924776678008..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: The SwapGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1175006616813305752007-03-27T11:43:00.000-04:002007-03-27T11:43:00.000-04:00What would you say to the suggestion that this kid...What would you say to the suggestion that this kidnapping did not in fact have as it's primary target the US and UK, but was a move against the Iranian Government by the Revolutionary Guard. There is no doubt at all that a power struggle is either in full swing or about to kick off in Iran and the IRGS has a vested interest in the outcome, particularly in light of Khomeini's faltering health. In recent weeks we have seen a great deal of political unrest in Iran. Protests for womens rights, increasing support for political reform, a large number of political arrests and a national media shouting about unity and cohesion in response. Kidnapping these personnel is a message from the IRGS to own President that the IRGS is a serious power that can influence events globally. It is also an attempt to provide an outside focus for the nation as whole, to distract them by creating the illusion of danger from without in order to dampen the increasing unrest within. If this turns out to be the case, the UK and possibly the US should tread even more carefully than they had planned.Mike Ransonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05939882982502281376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1174942750442627612007-03-26T17:59:00.000-04:002007-03-26T17:59:00.000-04:00I've quoted you and linked to you here: http://co...I've quoted you and linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2007/03/re-swap.htmlConsul-At-Armshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04391037582103556978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-1174935683973975682007-03-26T16:01:00.000-04:002007-03-26T16:01:00.000-04:00Perhaps it is time we play by their rules. Or long...Perhaps it is time we play by their rules. Or long past that time.shoprathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05265612188236394307noreply@blogger.com