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The Spectacle Blog

Egypt to Allow Iranian War Ships to Cross Suez

By Aaron Goldstein on 2.20.11 @ 6:56PM

Iran is sending two of its naval ships to cross Egypt's Suez Canal tomorrow.

As disturbing as this development is what is equally troubling is the fact that Egypt's new military government has given Iran's intentions its blessing. It thus marks the first time an Iranian ship has crossed the Suez since 1979, the year of the Iranian Revolution.

Israel understandably considers Iran's intentions to be highly provocative as they could conceivably attack the Jewish State from the Suez. Yet Israel must also be vert perturbed towards Egypt for allowing this act of provocation to occur in the first place.

There is much for Israel to worry about in a post-Mubarak Egypt and I am afraid the worrying has only just begun.

View all comments (39) | Leave a comment

Lullabys, Legends and Lies| 2.20.11 @ 8:16PM

Maybe the Somali Pirates will highjack their ships, and hold them hostage for 444 days!! I can dream, can't I?

Sean| 2.20.11 @ 8:20PM

How is Iran sailing through Egyptian waters a "provocation?" What is this a provocation for exactly? You really think that Iran is going to attack Israel with these war ships? I know as a socialist you aren't the brightest bulb, but you can't be that stupid.

Alan Brooks| 2.20.11 @ 11:54PM

The ships are carrying pez dispensers? porcelain sea nymphs? doilies?
The ships' captains are boy scouts armed with slingshots?

JP| 2.21.11 @ 7:40AM

In recent years Isreali patrols intercepted Iranian "cargo" ships filled with such innocuous items as RPG-7 rocket launchers, landmines, 20 cal machine guns, recoiless rifles, and mortars.

The ships were destined for Gaza and Egyptian ports of call. I would say the Isrealis have every right to be nervous. The Palestinians, who do not have the skills to provide for thier own electricity or fresh water (Isreal provides that, with the bill being picked up by the UN), always can find enough money to buy weapons.

Sean| 2.21.11 @ 11:49AM

Again where is the provocation for anything? Is Egypt not allowed to have foreign ships come into their waters? Which country has Iran invaded conventionally? If I recall correctly we helped the evil Saddam invade Iran in the 80's.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.21.11 @ 8:14AM

Sean,
Let me 'splain it to you.... "Shut up!" You made my coffee come out my nose laughing at your fragile grasp of history.

Sean| 2.21.11 @ 11:52AM

Here is some history for you Ken. The USS Liberty. Why don't you go interview the sailors from that ship? Maybe instead of sending Israel money you should maybe send the widows of the USS Liberty some money every month.

Brooke| 2.21.11 @ 4:37PM

Why do you crawl out from under your isolationist rock only when Isreal is being discussed?

Sean| 2.21.11 @ 7:37PM

"isolationist rock" Sounds like you have the neocon talking points down. Too bad you are unable to answer even simple questions.

Brooke| 2.21.11 @ 10:27PM

I notice you didn't answer my question. Predictable.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.11 @ 3:14AM

I have. Explain why you think going isolationist will stop islamic attacks on "the falling camel." (As in, "the falling camel attracts many knives.") I think Ron Paul is antisemitic (as witness his support by StormFront which he does NOT repudiate) and stupid. Since I, am a Mensan and also an MD, and have been so since age 25, (UTMB class of 1988), drop the "graduate of Duke Medical school" defense and let me repeat---on foreign policy, he is a twin of Dennis Kucinich---a traitor and a moron.

SpiralArchitect| 2.22.11 @ 11:50AM

Wow, you're super cool - you want a cookie or what?

You became a Dr (?) as your understanding of the English language was very limited - as is quite evident in your recent post.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.11 @ 3:02AM

That was 1967, the israelis paid restitution, and the pilot leading that strike was a numbskull who also was the only pilot who MISSED Osirak, and then signed a petition stating that he would not fly for Israel against the Intifada. Give me a break.

Sean| 2.22.11 @ 10:11AM

It was a deliberate attack on a ship flying the American flag. The attack was ordered by those higher up than simple pilots.

I am sure to you thought George Washington was an idiot. He also put forth that the US should refrain from foreign entanglements. As for Ron Paul he is smarter than you by far just from what I have seen from your comments. He is smarter than most people as he is one of the only elected members of Congress that has a clue to maintaining the Constitution.

not beholden| 2.20.11 @ 10:23PM

The Iranians have made a masterful move. Israel's bellicosity helps the mullahs in the fight to maintain support at home. And an easy attack on the warships by the armed goons who run Israeli policy will give Iran a place at the table in every revolution going on in the region. Before Israel is done they will make these revolutions about Israel and US influence across the region. They will again do what their enemies couldn't, defeat the IDF with the pinhead government that controls it. They will eventually not only lose battles, they will end up wrapped in their cocoon of self-rightious victomhood, losing the whole war, as will their ally the USA. Doesn't Tel Aviv have a clue or care about any repercussions except those in Washington. They will learn that Congresssional blowhards Washington, who wont let the White House conduct a foriegn policy separate from Israel's, cannot control the world and they certainly can't.

Alan Brooks| 2.20.11 @ 11:41PM

Heil Hitler to you
Heil Hitler to you
Heil Hitler to you-ou
Heil Hitler to you.
How old are you now (19?)
How old are you now (19?)
How old are you now-ow,
not beholden, you Frau..

JP| 2.21.11 @ 7:42AM

This is a matter between Iran and Isreal. I think the US should butt out and let the chips fall (or in this case, the few ships of the Iranian Navy. I heard they have a dozen patrol boats now).

Brooke| 2.21.11 @ 4:34PM

No worries; Obama has no intention of helping Isreal.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.21.11 @ 8:11AM

Not beholden,
heh, that was one of the stupidest posts I have ever read here, and believe me, I have read some stupid ones here.
Did you know that there are still idols in the black cube in Mecca?

Occam's Tool| 2.22.11 @ 3:04AM

The IDF has NEVER been defeated in a war involving existential issues. Iran will become fused glass, deservedly so.

The refudiator| 2.20.11 @ 11:13PM

let me know when they're headed into US territorial waterways. Until then who gives a rip.

Brooke| 2.20.11 @ 11:58PM

Unfortunately for you and the two clowns who posted just before you, a LOT of us give a rip.

You can crawl back into your fetid swamp now, Spawn of the devil and be loaded are waiting for you.

The refudiator| 2.21.11 @ 1:45AM

Only one I see giving a rip is YOU. You care so much, you go deal. Leave the rest of us to deal with the problems here in the US. And another thing, why do you Israel guys connotate hell bound status for Americans with no interest in Israel? Is that scriptual? Is it mental? Definitely judgemental. Back to Sunday school for you old man, do not judge lest YOU be judged right?

Brooke| 2.21.11 @ 2:46AM

That fetid swamp gas must be getting to you if you think you're in the majority--you're not.
Isreal's not to blame for our problems, and it's ugly of you to use them as a scapegoat. Ugly, but predictable of your ilk.

I didn't say anything about "hell bound" those were your words; sounds like self-judgement to me, clown.

the refudiator| 2.21.11 @ 4:03PM

i don't see where I'm scapegoating anybody. Whose post are you reading? Are you wearing floppy shoes?

Brooke| 2.21.11 @ 4:16PM

The only time you creeps crawl out from under your isolationist rocks is when Isreal is being discussed. Why is that?

the refudiator| 2.21.11 @ 6:41PM

Because on websites like this, it is the only foreign country we are pledged to defend unconditionally. Why is that?

Brooke| 2.21.11 @ 10:30PM

We defend many allies and I never see your objections then. What is it about Isreal that sets you off? Why single them out?

Occam's Tool| 2.22.11 @ 3:09AM

Actually, no. We are pledged to defend Britain and Germany unconditionally. We actually have bases and men there.

No, the reason it's mentioned is that some idiots think we will defend ourselves better and contribute to peace by isolating an ally with 200 nukes who is our chief buffer and humint provider against Islamofascism.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.11 @ 3:06AM

Israel is the buffer state in the fight against political Islam. You may want to see 9 year old girls raped or mutilated, refudiator, but I don't. Do you follow yet? Only a moron or Ron Paul (a redundancy) believes that running away from terrorists will stop attacks.

JP| 2.21.11 @ 7:43AM

Where have you been? No weapons dealer who worrys about his reputation uses our coastal towns to run weapons; that is what the US Mexican border is for.

Alan Brooks| 2.20.11 @ 11:36PM

Good news is Gadhafi is going to join Saddam--
Down There.

Brothers in the 'hood| 2.21.11 @ 5:30AM

Dear Peace loving democrats of Egypt,
Nice canal you have there - bet it's worth money. Shame if anything happened to it.
Love - yer Persian cousins

All American American| 2.21.11 @ 7:45AM

Guardiano said it the extremist Tea Party element of the Egyptian military that's allowing this.

Brooke| 2.21.11 @ 4:31PM

Guardiano is an absolute idiot. He implied that the violent attack on Lara Logan was an isolated event, yet a 2007 poll released by an Egyptian womens group states that 87% of Egyptian women and 98% of foreign women visiting Egypt claim they face sexual harrassment, physical abuse and foul language in public.

JimH| 2.21.11 @ 10:26AM

I would think that legally,the Iranians have as much right to use the canal as any other navy. They haven't since 79 because Egypt and Iran are traditional adversaries and the Egyptian regime was no friend to the Ayatollahs. Iran is now testing the waters, so to speak. I guess some here would consider Ike's biggest mistake was forcing Britain and France to relinquish control of the canal back in the fifties.