Uprising in Herat

Jaafa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_uprising_in_Herat

I was very surprised to hear about this. Iranian and US special forces working together in Afghanistan in 2001? Does anyone have more info on this? I know Iran was against the Taliban but to the point of joining forces with the US? Why were the US willing to coordinate with Iran? Did they ever take part in operations together after that?

maquiladora

Remember this was shortly after 9/11, Iran was probably trying get in America's good books. Also this was before Ahmadinejad and before the nuclear issue blew up.

Jaafa

maquiladora wrote: »

Remember this was shortly after 9/11, Iran was probably trying get in America's good books. Also this was before Ahmadinejad and before the nuclear issue blew up.

Still even at that, I never thought at any point since 1979 they've been that close.

xflyer

First off it's wikipedia so reliability is not assured. But to use the cliche, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'

In the real world away from the shouting and the propaganda there is a certain pragmatic understanding among countries when it comes to certain situations. In this case it suited everyone concerned.

Of course the regime in Iran persists with it's current campaign against the west at the moment mainly I suspect because it's fearful of another revolution from the people inspired by the Arab Spring revolts. Hence the current histrionics with the British. Better to keep the people fearful of an a mythical external threat than have them think of overthrowing the Mullahs and their pet mongrel Ahwhatshisname.

Jaafa

xflyer wrote: »

First off it's wikipedia so reliability is not assured. But to use the cliche, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'

In the real world away from the shouting and the propaganda there is a certain pragmatic understanding among countries when it comes to certain situations. In this case it suited everyone concerned.

Of course the regime in Iran persists with it's current campaign against the west at the moment mainly I suspect because it's fearful of another revolution from the people inspired by the Arab Spring revolts. Hence the current histrionics with the British. Better to keep the people fearful of an a mythical external threat than have them think of overthrowing the Mullahs and their pet mongrel Ahwhatshisname.

Mythical external threat? Two of Iran's neighbors have been invaded in the last 10 years. tens of thousands of American troops are a short trip from Iran's borders. Aircraft carriers await offshore, cruise missiles at the ready. Israel banging on about the possibility of air strikes.
You think the Iranian government has to trump up some Mythical threat? I think you'll find that even the protesters at the 'green revolution' were aware of this very real threat.

If the people want to protest they'll protest. We've seen over and over again in other countries the fear of a crackdown, torture or killing won't stop them. This 'mythical external threat' sure as hell isn't either.

omega666

Jaafa wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_uprising_in_Herat

I was very surprised to hear about this. Iranian and US special forces working together in Afghanistan in 2001? Does anyone have more info on this? I know Iran was against the Taliban but to the point of joining forces with the US? Why were the US willing to coordinate with Iran? Did they ever take part in operations together after that?

The Iranians nearly went to war with the taliban after they executed the Iranian diplomats in Afganistan back in the 80's, The iranians always had a
close relationship with the nothern aliance in afganistan so it make sense for the US to allow them assist.

Iran also offered thier assistance with the invasion of Iraq but this was turned down by the US. Saw a great documentary on the relations between the two countries a while back, there's a lot of stuff that went on behind closed door between the two countries that not very well know