March 19, 2007

SINGAPORE

Research in China and Iran's Seizure of 15 British Soldiers

I apologize for the dearth of postings lately, but exams are approaching with unnecessary haste and I cannot always afford to ignore the call of responsibility.

On a more positive note, I have some good news. I will be going back to China this summer to do vibration analysis on oceanic structures such as water derricks and off-shore oil platforms. I will be working under the umbrella of a National Science Foundation grant in conjunction with professors from the United States and China in a northeastern city named Dalian (map). The research will take place from late May to early August, and the work carries a certain ka-ching value.

While I am apprehensive about dabbling in political affairs, Iran's seizure of 15 British soldiers is cause for concern. I have tried to understand the Iranian side of the matter by imagining what would happen if the US Coast Guard caught Cuban marines off Miami's coast, but there are several sticking points that I cannot get over.

Firstly, the British soldiers (including one woman) were in Iraqi waters as part of a United Nations sanctioned operation, namely to prevent smuggling or terrorist operations that could disrupt 20% of the world's daily oil flow. Secondly, Reuters reported that at least one eye witness confirmed the British soldiers were in Iraqi waters, a claim the Iranian government is staunchly denying. Even

A startlingly similar situation (unwrap your tongue before you continue) occurred in 2004 when the Iranian government captured British marines performing peacekeeping duties, and once more there were disagreements over the location of the marines. It is highly unlikely the British would make the same mistake twice, if indeed one presumes they erred into Iranian waters the first time. The prisoners in 2004 were made to endure mock executions while blindfolded and subsequently deliver a televised apology for their actions. Such punishment is more like retribution that justice, and will only add fuel to an already strained relationship if it occurs again.

Perhaps the capture of marines over a border dispute is no more than a storm in a teacup, but when taken in a broader context a troubling trend emerges.

In 2005, President Ahmadinejad delivered a speech in which he infamously referred to Israel as "a disgraceful stain on the Islamic world" that "must be wiped off the map/history [depending on translation]." In 2006, the president held a conference in Tehran questioning the existence of the Holocaust by calling it "a myth" and alleging to a Zionist conspiracy created by the western world.

There was the memorable uproar created over the cartoon caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, along with Iran subsequently encouraging cartoons about the Holocaust. Later in the year, President Ahmadinejad challenged President Bush to a debate on the United Nations floor, but it was turned down by the White House who saw little benefit to be gained from a "caged match." Recently, President Ahmadinejad has accused western media of creating a conspiracy against Persia in the blockbuster action film, 300, which dramatically re-enacts the battle of Thermopylae wherein 300 Spartans held off Xerxes' invading force of roughly two million.

Now on to the hot topic: nuclear weapons.

Despite the Grand Ayatollah Khomeini issuing a fatwa, or religious decree, against nuclear weapons, much of western intelligence believes Iran is actively developing nuclear weapons. The Iranian government declares their intentions are purely for power generation. It is easy to understand why the Iranians feel wronged for being denied their sovereign right to develop nuclear power while other nations feel threatened by the prospect of nuclear weapons in the hands of a rash ruler.

I cannot take a stand one way or another on the subject of nuclear development because most of the facts are hidden in intelligence reports. What I can say for certain is that President Ahmadinejad is eager for confrontations with the Western world, and he sees no need to back down against "the Great Satan" [USA].

While President Ahmadinejad appears as if he is itching for a war, his retort may be that President Bush has already started one.

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