What's Up, Mullah?

Even though Iran's place in the Axis of Evil is well deserved that does not mean that they are irrational wackos. There is a well-designed plan behind the abduction of the British sailors and I think it is H-Blog's job to ferret it out (because if H-Blog can't save the world, who can?). My first question is why did Iran capture Brits and not Yanks? We are the Great Satan, they should be trying to embarrass us. I think this is because the Democrats are already doing just what Iran wants...pulling out the troops. They risk creating a backlash that might force the Democrats to jump off the capitulation train. They can kill our soldiers in Iraq and still maintain their cover since there are scores of journalists in the US who say the links between Iran and Iraqi violence are as weak as the links between Saddam and Al Qaeda. So why risk screwing up a good thing?

But why pick the Brits? When Blair is gone so will the Brits and that will be soon. Is this just a crime of convenience? Are they looking for a short term intel boost at the expense of long term strategic advantages? Is it just a show of strength for the consumption of the turban in the street? Do they think the Brits are too weak to respond appropriately? UBlo has always had the superior strategic mind (he sleeps with a copy of The Prince under his pillow) so I hope he will step to the plate and help elucidate us.

My shot in the dark is that the Iranians think the British are the same as the rest of the EU and that they will fold up and capitulate if they are bullied. Therefore, they don't see a downside to this sad little show of force. And this plays well in the casbah which will go a long way to establishing Iran at the top of the heap of Muslim sentiment. They may not be Arabs, but they get things done. That will win hearts and minds. They know that sanctions will be toothless and even without Corrupt Kofi around to assist, they will get around them. From this perspective it seems like a pretty good move. And one the Brits should have been ready for.