January 28, 2006
SO NUTTY THEY CAN'T EVEN PLAY THE OIL CARD RIGHT:
We must prefer Bush, Warts and all (Times of India)
For those painting Iran as a valuable Indian ally and heroic underdog whom India must support against US imperialism, we have news.Iran has just declared bluntly that if the price of oil exceeds $80/barrel —something that looks certain in the foreseeable future — then Iran will renege on its agreement to supply India 5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per year.
This is not the act of a friend or ally, or even of a disinterested commercial supplier. It is the bullying tactic of an arrogant oil power using energy as a commercial and diplomatic weapon. [...]
The Ahmedinejad regime that came to power after the LNG agreement was signed has constantly made excuses to avoid inking a formal contract. We now know why. The Ahmedinejad regime has proved irresponsible on more than one front, and cannot be regarded as a reliable supplier of energy. [...]
India is indeed free to choose, but let nobody pretend that choices do not have consequences. Should India align itself with the mullahs or the US, warts and all? Only hare-brained ideologues would opt for the mullahs.
Even a nutbag like Saddam knew how to buy off France and Germany with oil.
Posted by Orrin Judd at January 28, 2006 9:00 AM
Hard to think longterm when the economy is tanking .
Posted by: Mike Earl at January 28, 2006 10:19 AMSaddam knew he was weak and helpless against the US, so he had the good sense to buy allies anyway he could. Ahmedinejad and the mullahs think they are strong and can force other countries to comply.
Posted by: Brandon at January 28, 2006 2:08 PM