Leading Sailor Faye Turney appears to have become the face of the current stand-off between a rogue Iranian regime and what appears to be an increasingly impotent political class in the United Kingdom. In a letter released by Iran Tuesday, Turney asks, “Isn’t it time for us to start withdrawing our forces from Iraq and let them determine their own future?”
And as much as it grieves me to say so, perhaps she’s right.
It’s been over 200 years since the Royal Navy placed a frigate and a fighting captain in every part of the world’s oceans deep enough to float one in order to frustrate Napoleon’s imperial ambitions and safeguard the Home Islands. It’s been almost a hundred and forty years since Parliament sent a combined force 0f 13,000 British and Indian soldiers, 26,000 camp followers and 40,000 animals led by General Sir Robert Napier on a 400 mile trek across some of the harshest terrain in Africa to rescue a handful of British diplomats and missionaries held hostage by the mad king of Abyssinia. The flower of a generation was cut down on Flanders fields to safeguard the continent from Prussian militarism, and even at their darkest hour, the bravery and pluck of the British citizen following the debacle at Dunkirk and during the Blitz was never in doubt.
But it appears perhaps that the last of that Britain may have sailed home victorious at the end of the campaign to wrest the Faulkland Islands back from Argentine aggression. The Iron Lady may not have “been for turning,” but the wheel turned on without her. What was Britain seems to have become Europe.
When in times of old the British lion did roar, the world would tremble. Now the commodore of a royal fleet with a 1000-year history, and a man commanding a ship belonging to that fleet – a fleet, by the way, which seems to be evaporating before our very eyes – suffers 15 of his people to be illegally seized without firing a shot. Having placed them in danger in a war zone without, it would appear, having even been in the position to support them. In much the same waters where a previous insult was issued three years ago.
Winston Churchill once thrust the “V” for victory into a sky made dark by the dust, cinders and smoke of fascist bombers, encouraging his people – in the literal sense of the word – to bear up against the almost unbearable. From the same space now – and with the world’s largest attack dog trembling on the leash beside him, but unable or unwilling to ask for assistance there – a politically wounded and lame duck prime minister goes knocking at the door of the United Nations in search of his own deliverance. Only to be stymied there by Russia – an increasingly hostile country wounded by the memories of lost empire, angry at supposed insults and looking to reassert itself on the world stage – a country whose blocking position is a legacy of the world’s political alignment at the end of war that ended 60 years ago, a country with an economic throw-weight, as measured by GDP, just smaller than Mexico’s.
A Eurocentric himself, Tony Blair nevertheless at great political expense defied the will of Eurocenters France and Germany, as well as millions of his own citizens, to take his country to war alongside our own in Iraq. He did this in echoing memory perhaps of the “special relationship” that our two nations enjoyed, in honor of the Anglospheric alliance that quite saved the world from fascism and militarism and communism in the 20th century.
But even as that traditional Anglosphere splintered, with Australia coming on side but Canada – sensing no national interest at stake – taking a pass, he did it because he understood the threat that Saddam represented, and because he still believed that Britain had a place in making the world a better and safer place. He believed in an idea of Britain that was larger than Britain’s own national interest: Old think, to say the least, and at any rate, not very European.
Perhaps, at the end of the day, he shouldn’t have. Perhaps he should have stayed home with the rest of Europe.
I think I know enough about the Royal Marines to say that they would have fought had they been allowed to, had they been properly supported. That they were not was a political pity and military shame. All Britain is enraged by this insult, we are informed. But – in words that no one had ever thought to express before, words around which the English language itself seems to curdle – what can Britain do about it?
It gives me no pleasure to say it, but maybe Mark Steyn was right. I hope not, because small though they might be in numbers, the Brits are doughty fighters, clear-eyed tacticians, steady thinkers.
We will miss them.
Thanks Lex, I know where you are coming from. I am majorly pissed off at the Iranians as well. But you see unlike some of your countrymen, I do not see it as a time to go to all out war and start to tell me that my country is weak, and the navy cant handle themselves – We, and hopefully you, do not want to start an all out middleeastern conflict. It is a delicate tightrope. This time the way to deal with it is by diplomacy.
Ok. I’ve definteley stirred a hornets nest here.
Accused of being French? it may be 1000 miles away from where I live but believe me my red British passport is sitting right next to me.
Accused of being Palestinian, haha. No I don’e believe so. I do not throw rocks at tanks.
Accused of being socialist, no. I dont believe in socialism, and to the contributor above who thought the UK was a socialist country…do a bit more research. I’ve just spent time in Sweden, ha I dont fancy driving a Volvo like everyone else.
Accused of incorrect grammar. Now in his words my, “Grammar ain’t right”. I hope you see some irony here haha. Now just a mention of the fact you are speaking my language, English.
Badbob believes they will be easily defeated, really. I hope to God you are not working at the Pentagon. Bomb them from the sky, yeah. Listen mate, we are still struggling in Iraq, our troops cant just leave there and cross the border into Iran and then start fighting there. You are off your head. I hope you are ready to fight on your armchair. And yes I am in training in the longest and most difficult training schedule in all of NATO.
I am not anti American. on the contrary, i’ve spent a lot of time there. Its a fantastic place. However, a dishonest President who so regularly fluffs his lines that their are websites dedicated to his blundering rants? The highest obesity rate in the world? High crime rates, disproportionate childhood poverty rates? Insanely expensive and corrupt medical systems? The death penalty? American foreign policy? Sometimes you need to take a step back. Now I’ve mentioned a few things there that you may be upset by, we’re not all perfect – believe me, neither are your miltary. As for the 3 week time limit you gave to topple Iran haha I truly hope that was sarcasm. Both our countries are still in Iraq, yes you have 150,000 troops there –
“combat seasoned professional warriors right next door” unkawill.
You just sent another 20,000 – i know i seen some them in my local airport refueling, i spoke to them, they were not at all looking forward to yet another tour of duty. Neither are the guys I know that have headed out there. They see it as a pointless war. The invasion was successful. The planning after a complete and utter disaster.
In the rest of the world there is anger at the subterfuge and falsehoods the current administration has employed in order to achieve its aims and frustration at the attitudes of everyday Americans for their perceived selfishness and inability to see that they are now fighting self created monsters, their self glorification and one eyed patriotism at the expense of the remainder of the worlds population and perceived ignorance of the world outside the borders of the USA and lack of respect for the history and cultures of world.
Now, perhaps you were not aware “unkawill” the USA sold arms to Nazi Germany, as the largest arms dealer during WW2 while they were still ‘neutral’ and Hitler was waging war on the world. Just look it up. World War 2 in particular.
There are multiple generations of disgruntled citizens in the UK and the Commonwealth who as highlighted by Eldon Andersons recent rant, resent the self glorification of the USA with regard to WW2. If I had a dollar for every American who has told me that we’d all be speaking German if not for US intervention in WW2, I’d be rich! The facts are that it took all the allies to defeat the Germans in Europe and the Japanese in the Pacific.
The Numbers of Military the US put into action pales when compared to the numbers of Russian, French, British and Commonwealth military in action. Russia, France, the UK and former colonies were the principal force against Germany.
There are the block buster movies like U-571, based on the capture of the German Naval Ciphers by BRITISH naval forces, portrayed as an American operation in order to capture an American audience.
Yes America supplied materials and arms, but they weren’t given, they were sold. Britain finished paying its WW2 loans at the end of 2006.
WW2 wouldn’t have been won without America, BUT, it wouldn’t have been won without any of the other Allied nations that fought. Thats just to clear it up unkawill.
“The “American People” and the dem’s have NO say in foreign policy. it is solely the purview of the Executive branch.” Unkawill.
OK, yeah so your lame duck president can go ahead and do whatever he wants – similar in the way my Queen owns every porpoise and swan in UK teritorial waters. Get real, The Democrats have a say and the people decide though elections.
“”Just a warning – they would not be easily defeated.”
The same wailing and gnashing of teeth, greeted the start of OIF. We took care of that rather handily didn’t we.” unkawill.
Yes you took care of it rather well, Baghdad is now turing into a top city break destination, a cosmopolitan atmosphere. You could cut the freedom with a butter knife
in reply to ‘justthisguy’:
I never thought i’d see the day when ‘badass’ and saxons would be used in the same sentence. I dont know what you are havering about talking about the saxons and anglos, haha, and the celts?
“One of the reasons that our people won the battle of Trafalgar was, that they weren?
in reply to ‘justthisguy’:
I never thought i’d see the day when ‘badass’ and saxons would be used in the same sentence. I dont know what you are havering about talking about the saxons and anglos, haha, and the celts?
“One of the reasons that our people won the battle of Trafalgar was, that they weren’t very nice.”
whose people? are you American or what?
“We celts are ahead of you?”
what? Celts ….Irish, Welsh, Scottish? You my friend are havering.
fox,
You’ve “lived a lot” for a “recruit in training” (no friggin way…)… Your broad intellect is astounding. If you really are then I say: “God save the Queen”…
I never realized the UK (ha) had sunk so low and that your education system could be so piss-poor. Especially your deficient knowledge of WWII. I would say your education comes from a local Madrrassa, The Discovery Channel and possibly, The View…With a little Guardian thrown in.
re- “we are still struggling in Iraq, our troops cant just leave there and cross the border into Iran and then start fighting there”
No need. When did I mention ground troops above? I don’t want to occupy or to democritize, comphrendo? I want to simply attrite capability, nuc-military-leadership-key infrastruce..If they mass and attempt to attack across the border, our forces will decimate any Persian army, if they even reach the border….That is what we are best at. BTW, the UK are just strap-hangers in such endeavors.
re- “….- i know i seen some them in my local airport refueling,…”
Proves my point again, Troll.
b2
BBC newsflash:
“Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says 15 British naval personnel captured in the Gulf will be freed.
He repeated allegations that the British sailors and marines “invaded” Iranian waters, but said they would be freed as a “gift” to Britain.”
Nay luck badbob and unkawill, you are not going to get your nuclear war, you must be gutted.
In reply, i’m a YO in training and i read history at St.Andrews. Tel me then what part of my WW2 history is incorrect? I certainly do not get history from your side of the pond. haha the Discovery channel, I don’t think so. CNN – utter crap, Fox news – Dont want to even talk about that one its so utterly pathetic. Basically its all censored. You shoould tune into BBC world my friend, you might learn something.
Good. Once they’re clear we can attack (just kidding o’course)
I’ll tell you what, you phony Limey, I’ll come to Kinloss and you can attempt to “gut” me. After your studies at St. Andrews o’course.
LOL.
Bottom feeding friggin Troll!
b2
Gentlemen, it seems to me that friends of ours have been embarrassed and have, in their anger, lashed out at those who care the most for them.
At this point, the considerate thing for us to do would be to look away.
haha nicely put…..
haha yes you come too RAF Kinloss, tell you what you should come to RM condor. I’ll let you come haggis hunting but remember they have one leg longer than the other for going up hills so they will be difficult to chase in the Highlands.
Dear Lex,
Not embaressed, more pissed off. We get a lot of extra baggage with some of the rumblings across the pond.
Hmmm. The US sold arms to the Nazis? I missed that, but it may hinge on the definition of ‘arms’.
Ford and GM had operations in Germany (GM owned or had a large stake in Opel) but those were nationalized by the Germans (and the Ford operation was partly Brit-owned). IBM had what has been termed a “troubling” relationship with the Nazis, to be sure. And there’s the whole Harriman Banking bit.
Fox, can you provide a bit more to back up your assertion – unless you assertion is covered by the above? I’m just curious.
And yep, the Brits pay their bills, no doubts about that. Lend-lease was the only political way that Roosevelt could get around the Congress on giving aid to Britain. Many people, this side of the war, don’t realize just how much support for Germany there has been in the US. There was large sentiment in the US at times to enter WWI on the side of Germany, and the Bund was active prior to the start of the shooting war on the Continent during WWII.
Such support shouldn’t be surprising, given that the US was oft-times hostile to John Bull between 1776 and 1917 as interests and ideals clashed – and many don’t realize that net German migration to the US, especially after the failed revolutions of 1848 in Germany led to the fact that demographically, german-descended Americans outnumbered english-descended.
Heh. What was the point again?
Thanks John,
I, for the life of me, couldn’t conceive of the US selling weapons to the Nazi’s. Being in violation of the Treaty of Versailles, and all
B2, I feel badly for our comrades-in-arms across the puddle, IF fox is in anyway an average recruit, mentally that is. What is the use of a military that doesn’t understand “Why we Fight”.
Cap’n I promise to drop it and “look away”
Well, in sooth – money being fungible, banking aid can certainly facilitate arms purchases – hence why I asked Fox to provide some concrete examples, if his point was *other* than what I covered.
I’m just curious. I’m 90% certain we sent no planes, trains, ships or tanks, nor ammunition and small arms, or significant tech transfers (not likely considering at that point the germans were leading us in miltech with the exception of the M1 Garand and especially strategic bombers).
But that doesn’t mean dual-use tech didn’t get sent or sold.
But money is money, even if the assets of Harriman, etc, were frozen after Pearl Harbor.
I’m curious if Fox is purporting direct gov’t to gov’t sales or gov’t approved sales, vice private entities doing what businesses do.
Perhaps next September, Fox!
I’ll come for the golf at St. Andrews (not for the history you’ve been “taught”), the salmon, perhaps another red Deer or Roebuck and to hunt my favorite varmint- da Fox! Done all that before in the environs..even et that foul sheep stomach haggis, but I’ve never been after varmint up thar, though..
b2
Oh, Fox? I hear tell that Wernher von Braun got his copy of “Astounding” every month, all through the war.
Is that the kind of “weapon” yer talking about?