Within Tehran’s divided and vengeful establishment, the race is on to avoid blame. But the regime as a whole has been found wanting.
“The most important thing now is that tensions in the region calm down…let’s dial this thing down.”
Plus: What Johnson was supposed to do about Iran from Number Ten that he couldn’t do from Mustique is mysterious. I imagine that it has phones and the internet.
Iran, accustomed to artful brinksmanship and operational deniability, and equipped with an experienced cyber army, may take its revenge online.
“I think most reasonable people would accept that the United States has the right to protect its bases and its personnel,” declares Johnson.
During the years when the West sought to draw Iran back into the comity of nations, the ayatollahs backed terrorist bombs, cyberattacks, and drone shootings.
The Defence Secretary accused the Leader of the Opposition of spouting anti-American, “anti-imperialist guff”.
Johnson is “scared to stand up to President Trump” over the US assassination of Soleimani.
“He was not an advocate of a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.”
The Prime Minister has shown a moderation of which his critics did not believe him capable.
We are well-placed to aid in de-escalating the crisis, and ultimately securing a diplomatic solution.
Johnson, Macron and Merkel don’t agree on everything, but they share a common concern about ISIS now being allowed the space to revive.
This year’s Security, Defence and Foreign Policy review provides an excellent opportunity to reinforce Britain’s place as a leader in this field.
It isn’t obvious that his foreign policy has been less effective than George W.Bush’s activism or Obama’s passivity. But what’s his aim here?
His decision to mistreat America’s traditional allies in the region, especially the Kurds, now look likes an even worse error of judgement than it did at the time.