Four days ago, the Iranian Navy [sic] seized 15 British sailors on the open waters of the Persian Gulf, claiming the Royal Navy had violated Iranian waters, there is even reports the Iranians will put the Brits on trial. Can one imagine US Navy personnel allowing themselves to be kidnapped on the high seas, but sadly such is the depths to which the Royal Navy has sunk…gone is the former glory of the once prestigious Royal Navy.

One cannot be surprised by the actions of Iran, a regime founded on the taking of hostages. With a long history of hostage taking, be it the US embassy or the sanctioning of hostage taking in Lebanon and now this…Iran has further demonstrated its status as a rogue state.

Even if (and that’s a big “if”) the Royal Navy had violated Iranian waters was it truly necessary to seize them at gun point? How many times have boundaries been accidentally crossed…civil nations would be to simply ask them to withdraw, instead the Iranian government has taken this opportunity to create a media show, parading these hostages on television and broadcasting these phony coerced apologies…demonstrates the danger posed by Iran.

The Iranians have tried to portray this as rooted in the war in Iraq or Anglo-American policy there, in realty, Iraq has nothing to do this. In realty Iraq saw weakness on the part of the UK and has taken this opportunity to make a political point. Britain must now make a position, either they stand for something or they stand for nothing. This fact is demonstrated by the fact that the patrol boat’s escort, the HMS Cornwall was prepared to fire on the Iranians, but was ordered to stand down by the Ministry of Defense…what madness is that. Verily, Churchill must be rolling over in his grave at this very moment.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/30/iran.uk.sailors/index.html