Has any body wondered why is it that British are standing side by side of the US in war on terrorism and campaign to attack Iraq?
If it is matter of being ally of the US, then how come the other US allies such as France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan are not standing tall and firm next to US?
If is matter of being member of NATO, then how come the other NATO members are not standing next to US?
Historically, United Kingdom (UK) has had strong political influence in South Western Asia (erroneously referred to as the Middle East) and supporting the religious factions in that region.
After World War II, the United States became a major power in the world and in late 50’s Dr. Mosaddegh kicked out the British from Iran and nationalized Iranian Oil and also caused the Shah of Iran to leave the country for Europe.
The Shah was returned to Iran with the help of the CIA and eversince then the United States became the major supporter and ally of Iran which meant UK losing influence and control in that region. In fact because of Iran, the US was able to even have a spy station in Northern Iran to spy on the Soviet Union. American presence was very apparent in Iran.
This has not been good news for the British government, however, the revolution of 1979 and cutting off the American influence in Iran and having the US relationship with that region be limited was good news to the British. In fact ever since the hostage crisis of 1979 the British have improved their relationship with Iran and support the Iranian Government, of course not openly. Why didn’t British Government under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher, the Former Prime Minister of UK and a Tory (Conservative) Party, which was very close in ideology with then the Reagan Administration stand side by side with US, and boycott Iran as well as sever her political relationship?
The US was out of South Western Asia and UK was back in.
However, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 gave an excuse for the US to get involve in the South West Asia and free Kuwait.
This resulted in the US establishing a military base in Saudi Arabia and smaller presence in other countries in the region. That resulted in the British influence to be diminished.
In order for the British not to lose their influence completely to the US, they have decided to stand side by side of the US and in the name being ally of the US to ensure that their own interests are protected. That is perhaps why the British have decided to stay on and to control no flight zone in Iraq eversince the conclusion of the war in Iraq.
And now they are standing side by side of the US in Afghanistan and working hard to persuade their people so that to attack Iraq, a country that has never been a threat to the UK.
It seems quite obvious that UK is trying to protect her influence and interest in that region otherwise there is no reason for the UK to risk the British lives and spend substantial resources in this adventure bearing in mind that the attack of September 11 took place in the US and not in Britain. Loss of 67 British lives which were incidental is does not justify the British behavior.
Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is having more of a hard time than the US President to persuade the Parliament and the British public to support his government for attacking Iraq. The old superpower, the British, is quietly competing with US the new superpower for control of SouthWest Asia.
