Now that the British sailors are free...response?

[LoBlo]

Now that the British hostages are to be released, what *should* Britain's naval policy be? They could continue just as before and risk another nabbing, they could back down and give the Iranian border more space, or they could step up patrols, but keep a tighter grip on their patrol boats.

A related question is not what they should do, but what they *will* do.

Personally, I'ld like to see the British government up the patrols 3 fold and bring their large boats closer in for tighter protection to their patrols. A few Lockheed FireScouts overhead within visualazation of the boarder at all times would be handly as well.

[STEED]

This is the second time and may not be the last time, Iran are sly wolfs be warned.

[Skybird]

Beef up those silly ROE that they have. Bring to trial those who are responsible for the stupid ROE that have been in place until now. Incompetence should be held responsible, and then being removed from service. I tend to prioritize the focussing on the political leadership here.

[robbo180265]

The whole Iran thing really worries me. Because of Iraq and the way that's gone, I don't think Blair thinks he can count on public backing if he risks another war in the Middle East. And I think that's why there wasn't any sabre rattling going on.

The trouble is, as much as I was against the invasion of Iraq I can see Iran for what it is - a country full of nutters who are about to get nukes, and that really scares me. Also if we invade or attack there's the risk of a proper East v West scenario which scares me too.

I really have no answer to this one and that's what scares me the most.

[The Munster]

Well, this is my response, bring our young men and women back to the UK. Let the Middle East be, because there will always be unrest in this region due mainly to religion, territory and fanatics.
Let them blow each other up, why should we be caught up in it ?!

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Kpt. Munson

Well, this is my response, bring our young men and women back to the UK. Let the Middle East be, because there will always be unrest in this region due mainly to religion, territory and fanatics.
Let them blow each other up, why should we be caught up in it ?!

Because as soon as some FANATICAL leader gets in charge, it will no longer be just about them, it will be about us too!!! Imagine a land where we leave Al Qeida to its devices - They eventually train and come after us over here. They will not stop. They can only be estroyed. There is no middle ground. They beleive it with all their hearts. So if you don't mind crusing down to your local cafe, and having 15 people body parts flinging blood into your soup on your night out, then let them be. If you don't like that idea, better stay on board.

-S

[Yahoshua]

Skybirds' already said most of it for me.

However, Iran should be strongly warned that such behavior will NOT be tolerated again.

[ASWnut101]

Drop a few JDAM's on the harbor that the Iranian Patrol Boats originated from.

[jumpy]

About time.
This particular charade was allowed to continue for far too long.

What may be taken for shrewd political manoeuvring over in Iran can be generally and truthfully regarded by the rest of the world as a thinly disguised attempt at sabre rattling; that the UK should view it as anything other than the Iranian authorities thumbing their nose at the west is inconceivable.
As for the statements of the sailors and marines... well they smell of the same rotten dung as those who were paraded in front of the Arab media by Saddam, cap in hand saying how 'sorry they were and how they are that in your wisdom that you are letting us go home sir....' BS. ...Like they had any choice in the matter.

Had we kidnapped a bunch of their sailors and played them to the world press they would be calling in no uncertain terms for our collective blood.

Still, except for anyone who has been living on mars for the last 50 years or so, this is of no surprise whatsoever.

The next time this kind of 'accident' occurs (and I'm sure it will at some point) it ought to be made clear that any vessel coming within 500m of any British warship or boarding party will be assumed to be of aggressive intent and fired upon. However I seriously doubt such a ruling would come to pass, even were it to be realistically entertained by the MOD or the government.

Ah well, I suppose the unctuous wheels of diplomacy will continue to turn ever so slowly in respect of matters such as these.

Who said 500m? Try ten times that distance.

A small boat travelling at 20KT will be on them in less than one minute. There is also the problem of naval artillery, it just isn't that accurate.

That is how the Iranians captured the 15 to begin with.

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by LoBlo

Now that the British sailors are free...response?

Britain has flown now but we'll all pay for it later.

Skybird mentioned toughing up those ROEs. Is that referring to Rules of Engagement or Rules of Embarrassment.

Don't get me wrong. I'm very happy for the return of the sailors but I'm anxious to hear how and why they were converted to spineless dead fish for all the world to see. Was that part of their training or were they threatened?

Stay tuned for the next round.

[danlisa]

Our service men & women do a fantastic job in very stressful & dangerous areas. We sometimes forget this. The government should not.

If a member of the armed forces is captured/taken hostage or otherwise detained (without due reason) we should not pussy foot around and just get them out. They've earned that right.

Welcome home.

[1mPHUNit0]

Stay tuned for the next round.

Oh yhea you need war against Iran and Súria
Like was on Iraq
Like was on lebanon
Like is on Palestine
You live for wars and occupations

[The Avon Lady]

Originally Posted by 1mPHUNit0

You live for wars and occupations

Yeah. It's a blast!

And you live for blaming everyone else except yourselves for your problems.

[baggygreen]

Imp, i know im only speaking personally and theres only a few members here who agree, but as far as im concerned, if we DONT fight them now, it's more of a problem later.

Its not as though there isnt enough to justify going n getting em anyways - the kidnapping of personnel and theft of military property is, in my opinion, enough to warrant a strike.

Doesnt necessarily mean a war.. if Iran is stupid enough to try something after say, a quarter of their military assets are destroyed in a nice little strike, the type of which has been seen before, we can just go n destroy another quarter. If they wanna keep it up, bye bye Iranian military!