“That’s quite an increase. What are they thinking? Especially about ISIS?”
“They’re nervous. Not for any threat to themselves but they are nervous about what’s going on in Turkey. If the unimaginable happens in Turkey, they’d have the caliphate on their border in Thrace and a foothold in Cyprus.”
“There’s no thought about Turkey falling is there?” Dani asked.
“No, but like I said, they are nervous. This was an excellent lunch, Stonewall. We need to do this more often. I apologize but I cannot stay. The Greeks are not the only nervous ones in the region. My CO fully understands your concerns. Since it’s a rather short flight, breaking away for a quick lunch was okay with him but I need to get back.”
“Not a problem, Lion. I appreciate all of your help. Plus, now that I’m stationed in Tel Aviv for the foreseeable future, I think we can make that happen.”
XXII
“Dr. Bagheri, thank you for taking the time to fly over here to meet with us,” Secretary Johnson said as she greeted the new Iranian president. “I apologize for the short notice but we are making a quick trip to the region and wanted to bring you up to speed on our strategic initiative based the Russian’s involvement in the attack on our east coast.”
“I must say, I was extremely surprised by President Barre’s announcement,” Dr. Bagheri stated. “Russia’s involvement in this is quite disturbing.”
“Yes, it is and it’s all quite specific and provable, as the President indicated. As such, we are looking to make sure this doesn’t happen again. That is why we are launching this strategic initiative to reinforce what we’ve just done militarily. We want a united front, both militarily as well as diplomatically. We want to demonstrate to the Russians that their behavior will not be tolerated — not by us, not by anybody. Quite obviously, I know you are aware of our military response. We are now looking for a united diplomatic response.”
“It would seem that you are looking for more of a united economic response since I believe you indicated you are looking to discuss this with the entire Gulf Cooperation Council.”
“Yes, that is correct. We would like your help to drive the price of oil under $40 a barrel,” Secretary Johnson replied. “Once we are through, we look forward to discussing this with the rest of the council later this afternoon or early evening.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I have no problem with what you are doing. Personally, I agree with it. I think the Russians are barbarians and cannot be trusted with anything. Fortunately, we no longer have a common border with them though we used to border the old Soviet Union. Nothing has changed, though, except for the borders — Russia — the Soviet Union — they are the same brutes. However, I cannot but wonder the impact this will have on our efforts to rebuild my country. Cutting oil prices this dramatically will seriously cut into our ability to rebuild our infrastructure, which is sorely needed, and to rebuild our military.”
“We fully understand the impact this will have on your country, Dr. Bagheri. That is why we are willing to offer you a generous aid package. We know Iran desperately needs to improve, and rebuild, its infrastructure and we are prepared to help you with this, whether directly or indirectly funneling our support through another country. Of course, we’d rather do it directly but we are prepared to do whatever you would think best as we do not want to undermine your position.”
“I think we would be willing to have your direct involvement at this point in time. I know America has not been received very well since the revolution but, given the present circumstances, it might provide a nice foil to see the United States helping us rebuild our country when the Russians — who are so close to home — would be viewed as the brutes they really are.”
“As to your military, we did our best to leave the army unscathed while taking out the Republican Guards,” Secretary Axelsson added. “However, I know you could use some help with your air force and navy. Again, we are prepared to assist you here as well.”
“I’m glad to hear that, and this is crucial given your assistance to both the Qataris and the Saudis. With the military aid packages you have provided both of them in the last couple of years, and I assume you’re sweetening the pot for the Saudis once again, you’ve kind of created a regional super power that is a real threat to us. I know you are aware of this, but Iran is predominantly Shia — and Persian — while the rest of the Gulf is primarily Sunni — and Arab. We are a proud people and we need the ability to counter the Saudis. After all, we are talking about the Persian Gulf region, correct?”
“That has not been our intention,” Axelsson replied. “Though we are prepared to correct that mistake. However, we do not want to repeat the errors of the Shah, either.”
“Nor do I, Mr. Secretary, but when you consider the improvements, and the technological innovations, both Qatar and the Saudis have made — with your help, I might add — I need some type of corresponding aid package. I cannot be seen as ‘caving’ into this request from you without a similar package. If I do, my tenure as the Iranian president will be a very short one — especially given our recent history.”
“We understand,” Secretary Johnson added, “and we are prepared to offer you a very generous domestic aid package and one similar to the Saudis on the military side that you can take back to your government that will demonstrate our resolve to the Iranian people. We fully realize that a balance of power is needed in the Gulf and you are key to that balance.”
“That is much appreciated, Mr. Secretary.”
“Back to our strategic initiative, Dr. Bagheri,” Secretary Johnson added, “with the entire Gulf Cooperation Council joining in on this, we hope to make a strong statement to the Russians. The ‘brutish’ behavior that you, yourself, have alluded to cannot, and will not, be tolerated and the consequences of this behavior will be enforced on a global scale, not just unilaterally by us. With the support of the entire Council, we can demonstrate our united resolve with this.”
“Madam Secretary, with your support, you can definitely count on us. And, with the present state of the Russian economy, which as you know is not the healthiest, it shouldn’t take very long to make the kind of point you want.”
“Excellent, Dr. Bagheri, we appreciate your support in this endeavor of ours. As mentioned, we are planning on meeting with the rest of the council later this afternoon. However, with both your support and the Kingdom’s, I would like to think that the rest of the Council will close ranks.”
“Abdul, it’s Major Aksoy,” he said to the ISIS chief of staff. “The American C-130 has landed. The turnaround time for the first plane, the C-17, was only a couple hours. I don’t think they bothered to refuel that one. However, the C-130 won’t take as long to load and refuel. I’d say we have one hour.”
“Very good, Major, kickoff in one hour.”