Invading Iran: Not Likely After The Disaster Caused In Iraq

By Laura Fawaz, TMO

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (L) and Iran’s chief negotiator Saeed Jalili pose for the media before their meeting in Baghdad May 23, 2012.    REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani

Metro Detroit, MI – Though the majority of the world, from the West to the Middle East, is hesitant to invade any country after the disaster caused from the 2003 invasion into Iraq, which ended just last year.  This is something that most Metro-Detroit Muslims agree upon.  When surveying on this issue, 100% of people answered no when asked if they thought the U.S. should or should invade Iran.

“Iran has not threatened the personal safety or security of the U.S., Israel and their allies.  Iran has not attacked any Western nations nor threatened to do so unprovoked.  Like former President George W. Bush and his false claims of “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq (no such weapons were ever found) the whole idea of Iran being a “nuclear threat” is simply nothing more than a war hawk propaganda designed to give the U.S. and its allies an excuse to do what they have done many times before.  Overthrow the regime of an independent foreign nation and replace it with a ruler who is more cooperative/submissive to the West,” said an anonymous female, age 18. 

Mohamed Abbass, 30 responded with “despite such an invasion being against international law, it will create unimaginable economic consequences for the U.S. and Europe.  For example, the price of oil will skyrocket and translate into high inflation.  Furthermore, the US is simply not in a fiscal position to be able to afford any more military adventures.”

Out of the 100 + surveyed, only one person answered yes when asked if they thought the U.S. and / or Israel had legitimate concerns with Iran as a threatening nation.  An interesting point though is that their reason for answering yes was not over safety, but over political power: “The U.S. and Israel feel threatened because they see Iran as a country that could rise to power and eventually take over.”

As for the other 99% who answered no, that there are not legitimate concerns to invade Iran, Mohamed Abbass, 30, gave this reasoning “Objectively speaking, Iran is in complete compliance with its obligations under international law, including those of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).  At the same time, Israel possesses hundreds of nuclear warheads and refuses to sign the NPT.  Furthermore, Iran has not invaded any country in contemporary times while the US & Israel are not able to say the same.  In my view, if any Arab or Islamic country seeks economic and military independence from NATO, they will face the same accusations that Iran is today.”

Another response referring to the destruction and fabrications from the invasion of Iraq came from an anonymous 32-year-old female who responded with “It’s all about protecting and legitimizing the existence of Israel, similar to “weapons of mass destruction” with Iraq.”

Still, the United States and Israel have repeatedly threatened Tehran with the “option” of a military strike, all based on the allegation that Iran’s nuclear program may consist of a military agenda.  Though keep in mind that initially when Iran was only discussing the idea of building any weapons, immediately the United States “requested” them to stop any and all plans.  Iran responded with agreement, so long as the U.S. would agree not to attack them, and since the U.S. would not agree to that, neither did Iran.

Iran has refuted the allegations of attacking any country, saying that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it has the right to develop and acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.  Regardless, the Israeli President Shimon Peres publically declared a threat to the Iranian nation, on November 6, stating, “that an attack against Iran is becoming more and more likely.”

Something that all political advisers and financial analyst seem to realize is that even though Iran says that they will not attack anyone, they do however say that if they are provoked with any kind of military strike against their country, Iranian officials have promised a crushing response, warning that any such measure could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.  It seems that everyone but the political leaders realize this because just last week, Shamus Cooke, from the Global Research website stated, “The U.S. is assuming that Russia or China will not respond militarily, but they’ve been wrong before.”

This is because Cooke, and most political analyst say that Russia and China consider a U.S. military action on Iran an attack on their own boarders, and will be taken as a threat to their national security.  Cooke explained that when former U.S. President George W. Bush gave the ok to the then President of Georgia Mikheil Saakahvili to attack South Ossetia in 2008, “Russia surprised everyone by responding militarily and crushing Georgia’s invasion.”

Also, last Month, Major General Zhang Zhaozhong, professor from the Chinese National Defense University, said China would not hesitate to protect the Islamic Republic against a military strike, even if this means the start of the Third World War.  And last week, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin vehemently criticized any plans of attacking Iran, describing the measure as “a very dangerous scenario” which could lead to a “regional catastrophe.”

“If the US becomes militarily involved with Syria and Iran, it is up to the working people of the US to mobilize in massive numbers in the streets to prevent such an attack,” Cooke concluded.

The last questions on the survey asked if they have taken part in any of the peaceful demonstrations done by American organizations if efforts of convincing the American government not to make the same mistake with invading Iran as it did when they invaded Iraq?   As well as if they have signed any of the online pledges from the above listed organizations?

Only one person, just 1%, answered that they have taken part in a peaceful demonstration, as well as having signed an on-line pledge.  For those whom have not, they did however have intriguing reasons as to why not (all will remain anonymous as to the content of their response).

“As our civil liberties are slowly eroded with laws such as the National Defense Authorization Act, I like many Americans are hesitant to participate in such gatherings.”

“I just haven’t had a chance to do so.  I do however voice my opinions via writing my opinions to local newspapers, as well as vocally to those I know.”

“I’m not sure if on-line petitions actually produce results or not.  Not to be negative, but do you really think that the federal government truly takes petitions into account when making decisions on international actions.  But what more can we do?”

After review of all of the survey responses from the over 100 Muslim Americans, it’s found that, just like your average American, most people do not keep up to date on international news.  The only difference here is that as American-Muslims, they all understand that it is even more critical to do so.

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