The U.S. will probably sit this one out, but with all the rumors flying about a possible Israeli strike on Iran, the President's visit to the surrounding countries seems uncharacteristically timely.
Rumors of an Israeli strike on Iran has not gathered as much attention in the U.S. as it has from media outlets around the world. An attack on Iran could send oil prices skyrocketing, and the President has been paying visits to countries surrounding Iran (Afghanistan) as well as countries in the buffer zone (India) between China and Iran.
Protests have irrupted in New Delhi as President Bush met with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The President will leave India on Friday, and will travel to Pakistan on Saturday.
The U.S. already has friendly relations with Pakistan, and Jordan. In the event Israel does decide to take action, getting clearance to use Jordanian airspace seems to be no problem, and the U.S. controls the airspace over Iraq.
In the event of an attack, Israel could refuel their jets in Iraq, and the U.S. would only play a supporting roll in the military undertaking.
Of course, these are all rumors, but I do feel the timing of the President's visits to be odd.
A pre-emptive strike by Israel could further inflame relations with other Middle East countries, as well as China and Russia.
If China decides to run to the aid of Iran, the financial markets will be thrown into a tailspin, and oil prices will soar.
The oil markets have not continued fall, and gasoline prices remain elevated. Do the energy markets know something we don't? I guess we will find out soon.


Comments (1)
Interesting read regarding this topic.
www.financialsense.com/fsu/editorials/wakefield/2006/0308.html
Posted by Brad | March 10, 2006 2:06 AM
Posted on March 10, 2006 02:06