--------------------------------- Escalation in the Middle East

January 15, 2007

Ron Paul Concerned About Contrived Gulf of Tonkin- Type Incident

http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2007/tst011507.htm

While the presidents announcement that an additional 20,000 troops
would be sent to Iraq dominated the headlines last week, the real
story was the presidents sharp rhetoric towards Iran and Syria. And
recent moves by the administration only serve to confirm the
likelihood of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

The president stated last week that, Succeeding in Iraq also requires
defending its territorial integrity- and stabilizing the region in
the face of the extremist challenge. This begins with addressing
Iran and Syria. He also announced the deployment of an additional
aircraft carrier battle group to the Persian Gulf, and the deployment
of Patriot air missile defense systems to countries in the Middle
East. Meanwhile, US troops stormed the Iranian consulate in Iraq
and detained several Iranian diplomats. Taken together, the message
was clear: the administration intends to move the US closer to a
dangerous and ill-advised conflict with Iran.