THE STRONG HORSE ALWAYS WINS – AT 9:53 A.M. ET:   There's a saying in the Mideast – it was quoted by Osama bin Laden – that people will always follow the strong horse.  It's accurate.  That's what people do.

So it's not surprising that leaders in the region, and beyond, even "allies" of the United States, are succking up to Iran now that we're starting to pull out.  They're aware that even in our leaderless, rudderless, Republican Party, there are signs of a new isolationism.  From Fox:

Washington – Iran is moving to cement ties with the leaders of three key American allies -- Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq -- highlighting Tehran's efforts to take a greater role in the region as the U.S. military pulls out troops, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

The Afghan and Pakistani presidents, visiting Tehran, discussed with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "many issues … that might come up after the NATO military force goes out of Afghanistan," Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said.

"The three presidents were very forthcoming in carrying out the cooperation and contacts so as to make sure things will go as smoothly as it could," he said.

That comment was seen as a jab at Washington, which is increasingly in competition with Tehran for influence in the region, particularly as popular rebellions have surged across the Middle East and North Africa since January.

The overtures by U.S. nemesis Iran come amid tensions between Washington and three governments that have each received billions of dollars in U.S. aid.

COMMENT:  That reference is to Pakistan, Afhanistan, and Iraq.  The new isolationist crowd will tell us that, if only we had minded our own business and not sent in the troops, these countries would have no anti-Americanism.   Yeah, right.  We recall the pro-American policies of Saddam Hussein.  We revel in the warmth we received from the Taliban government of pre 9-11 Afghanistan.  And of course all Americans know of our longtime close "alliance" with the Islamic-influenced government of Pakistan, which hid and protected Osama bin Laden. 

If we move toward a "come home America" strategy, some Americans will cheer for a time, but our children will pay a terrible price.

June 27, 2011