Britain Takes it on the Chin for America

I take issue with those who are prematurely bemoaning England’s failure over the 15 Royal Navy hostages taken by Iran last week( here and here). Rather than appearing weak and indecisive, Britain is once again upholding its alliance with America, by restraining military action in the present standoff with Tehran. Much as Israel held back its own retaliation during the First Persian Gulf War, as Saddam rained Scud missiles on her civilian population, the British are allowing the US to finish the more urgent mission in Iraq without giving cause to expand the conflict.

Those who say Britain is much weakened under Tony Blair’s leadership, overlook the fact that just 4 years ago, the UK fielded its largest military force in the Gulf, some 40,000 sailors, airmen, and ground troops, since World War 2. Those who contend the Island nation is in decline stated the same thoughts immediately before the Falklands Conflict in 1982, where the British launched her naval armada to the far off and desolate South Pacific, in what many contend was one of the turning points of the Cold War. The victorious and brief war with Argentina saved the Royal Navy, and help solidify Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s conservative agenda to restore the long-suffering British economy.

Just as Thatcher provided President Reagan with firm support during the last stand with the communist Soviets, the British under the tenacious and resolute Tony Blair stands firm by America and the West in the fight with Radical Islam. Those who are prematurely pronouncing England’s demise are joining the multitude of false critics from Churchill’s day to the present.