Gates, Commanders Ready Buildup in Gulf

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-me/2007/jan/18/011805332.html

The Iranians are "overplaying their hand" on the world stage in a belief that setbacks in Iraq have weakened the United States, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.

Gates said he had told the leaders of U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Qatar that the Iranians "believe they have the United States at some disadvantage because of the situation in Iraq."

However, the Iranians are going too far, he said he told the allies, and "one of the consequences of that is that they have raised real concerns on the part of a number of countries in the region and beyond about their intentions."

<snip>

In Bahrain, a British Royal Navy officer who is the No. 2 commander for coalition naval forces in the Central Command area of responsibility told reporters that the exact role and missions of the aircraft carrier USS John Stennis, which is due to arrive in the Gulf area next month, have not yet been worked out.

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[Jacobin]

1. um, who has overplayed whose hand?

:rofl:

Intentions in the region?

:rofl:

that Gates is a real funny guy

[jpak]

3. Odd - they are sending a 2nd carrier strike group to the Gulf without a defined mission

:shrug:

[AndyA]

2. The same thing could be said about Bush.

The truth is, he's stretched our military and our finances to dangerous and irresponsible levels.

We are not prepared to deal with more than we have right now, our plate is full.