Miliband Talks Tough But Will He Back It Up With UK Might?
The US has been waiting to see whether there would be a change in British foreign policy toward Iran with Tony Blair out of the picture. It appears that there won't be a change in policy, but it remains to be seen whether the UK will put any muscle behind its words. The US breathed a sigh of relief this week when the new British Prime Minister, David Miliband, pressed for tighter UN sanctions against Iran if it refused to suspend uranium enrichment.
In an interesting development, Miliband did not rule out military action against Iran. However, from his statements it's hard to tell exactly what Miliband might do. He teeters on a precarious precipice that has already sent the once popular Blair to his political death. UK citizens may support the idea of stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions, but they are vehemently opposed to sending British soldiers into the fray. Perhaps still feeling his way politically, in an interview with London's Financial Times Miliband qualified every hard core statement with a softer statement recognizing Iran's rights. Click here to read the whole article.
While Miliband refused to repeat the guarantee made by predecessor Jack Straw that military action against Iran was "inconceivable," he did say, "I think the whole of the international community wants a non-military, diplomatic solution to this problem."
It's hard to know if Miliband is hedging his bets while he solidifies his political authority, or if he'll stand by his tough talk and is just throwing a sop to popular opinion. Time will tell.
In an interesting development, Miliband did not rule out military action against Iran. However, from his statements it's hard to tell exactly what Miliband might do. He teeters on a precarious precipice that has already sent the once popular Blair to his political death. UK citizens may support the idea of stopping Iran's nuclear ambitions, but they are vehemently opposed to sending British soldiers into the fray. Perhaps still feeling his way politically, in an interview with London's Financial Times Miliband qualified every hard core statement with a softer statement recognizing Iran's rights. Click here to read the whole article.
Iran "doesn't have the right to set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East," Miliband said in the interview. However, he added, Iran "has every right to be a secure rich country."
While Miliband refused to repeat the guarantee made by predecessor Jack Straw that military action against Iran was "inconceivable," he did say, "I think the whole of the international community wants a non-military, diplomatic solution to this problem."
It's hard to know if Miliband is hedging his bets while he solidifies his political authority, or if he'll stand by his tough talk and is just throwing a sop to popular opinion. Time will tell.
Labels: David Miliband, foreign policy, sanctions, Tony Blair, UK, United Nations
