China,
Do you really think a Republican White House would have given a Moslem Brotherhood led nation F-16’s? I see what you say about the big picture and how each side can screw up at any time on any topic…….but the two parties are indeed governed by rather different ideologies which makes them behave differently. Besides, my observation these days is that there are many liberals posing as conservative and the other way around….worst, there are many middle of the road officials who are registered with one party but can go either way on any issue depending on who lobbies them.
As for the Brit thing…….Let’s not forget Russia as well – because when it comes to Iran, Brits have only 50% rights, so they think based on the 1907 entente with Russia. For the last century Iranian statesmen have been trying to play a balance political game between the Russians and the Brits/USA……Shah played a “Positive Balance” political game while Khomeini did the same except at least on front conducted a “Negative Balance” policy…ala na shaghi na gharbi…
Here is a bit of a story on Amir Kabir one of our most successful statesmen of the modern era…..in dealing with the two major powers in Iran. Amir Kabir had two people watching the Russian and British Embassy doors full time, logging the names of Iranian officials who openly visited the sites un-officialy and at odd times!! Amir Kabir then went out and ousted these officials from government responsibilities which made him a lot of enemies, while at the same time allowed him to do some good things for a country stalled under the Ghajars and the endless number of Anglo-Russian trewaties….
BTW - the progressive Obama announced today a "blogger" (Denis McDonough) as his Cheif of staff...!! what is next? assigning a "Hacker" as a Minsiter of defense? lol