So now Russia is courting the Iranians?

[RED]

The chance of Russia and Iran becoming great friends and allies is as likely as it is the Russians and the Chechens or the Afghans being on the same side.

https://news.yahoo.com/china-russia-iran-hold-joint-naval-drills-093455381.html

[blackhawknj]

National interest, self interest outweigh ideology. We have been allied with Saudi Arabia since WWII-a democracy and republic allied with an absolute monarchy ? They have something we want oil, they need a strong ally because their low ratio of population to territory means they can't defend themselves, their Wahhabist form of Islam combined with a desire to remain a tribal society still in the 14th century means they really don't fit into the Muslim World. Likewise because of the Sunni-Shi'ite conflict, the Muslim world has rejected Iran's attempts to assert leadership over it. Khomeini rejected the Shah's attempt to align with the West, who can his successors turn to ?

[togor]

Russia has supported Iran's nascent nuclear program in the past.

[Roadkingtrax]

Russia has supported Iran's nascent nuclear program in the past.

Odd. Wherever the US retreats, Russia moves in to foster relationships. Very odd.

[lyman]

Odd. Wherever the US retreats, Russia moves in to foster relationships. Very odd.

they have for a long time,



and the Chinese do similar, but they are more in the 3rd world creating debt,,,

[Roadkingtrax]

they have for a long time,



and the Chinese do similar, but they are more in the 3rd world creating debt,,,

Chinese are heavily involved in South American civil engineering projects...and oddly enough, American based corporate farming. Probably benefits both Chinese producers here in the states, and consumers on the mainland.

[lyman]

Chinese are heavily involved in South American civil engineering projects...and oddly enough, American based corporate farming. Probably benefits both Chinese producers here in the states, and consumers on the mainland.

I read somewhere they were big on infrastructure in parts of Africa as well,

[RED]

The Russians went into Afghanistan with their best troops and equipment and left with their tails dragging. They were ruthless and cruel.

What makes anybody think that our invasion with strict rules of engagement would succeed?

We should have never put boots on the ground anywhere in the Middle East with the only exception being Kuwait.

[togor]

I had no problem with routing the Taliban, who hosted al Qaeda and OBL. There was always going to be a long term issue because Pakistan was prepared to continuously refit the Taliban. But the initial mission to strike the terrorists was the right one. Iraq was of course contrived and unnecessary. I also think it's too bad we could not get to an understanding with the Persians, who are the most civilized people in that region.

[m1ashooter]

Interesting relationship. You would think that Iran would be leery about the Russians since Russia actually invaded Iran and occupied it during WWII along with the Brits.

[Tuna]

Its a symbiotic relationship between Iran, Russia and China. Iran needs lots of things but cannot get then due to sanctions. China needs oil. Russia gets oil from Iran and ships it to China taking a bit off the top for fees and China sends what Iran needs through Russia. So China gets the oil it needs at a lower cost. Russia gets money in one form or another. Iran gets what it cannot get anywhere else. All are Happy Happy Joy Joy. The Iranians don't care who they deal with as long as they can get around sanctions and get what they want.

[RED]

Its a symbiotic relationship between Iran, Russia and China. Iran needs lots of things but cannot get then due to sanctions. China needs oil. Russia gets oil from Iran and ships it to China taking a bit off the top for fees and China sends what Iran needs through Russia. So China gets the oil it needs at a lower cost. Russia gets money in one form or another. Iran gets what it cannot get anywhere else. All are Happy Happy Joy Joy. The Iranians don't care who they deal with as long as they can get around sanctions and get what they want.

Their problem is they are not getting what they need. They are failing. Their Socialist economy sucks and the riots and protests are growing. Obama tried to help the Mullah’s by sending them billions of dollars of tributes that has only delayed their demise.

If Hillary had become President, our economy would resemble Irans.

[togor]

Actually some big riots happened after the six party nuclear deal went into effect and Iranian assets were unfrozen and some sanctions lifted. The reason for the riots was that people expected a better life and weren't seeing it (because the regime had other priorities, obviously).

Trump's play is to squeeze the regime and people both as hard as possible until....something happens.

[dryheat]

Iranians aren't happy, Tunisians aren't happy, Syrians aren't happy, well, you get the idea. Russia isn't mid-east, but they are a little east.

[jdmcgrath]

Current Iran policy is payback for the hostages.