Tension with Iran puts heat on US citizens
The tension between the US and Iran is ratcheting up following Iran's supreme leader threatening to retaliate against the US' oil embargo.
He also warned that if war breaks out, “The war itself will be 10 times as detrimental to the US”.
Iran knows it can’t physically match up with the US. The only way it can hurt the US is to target American tourists and citizens living overseas. And with the stalking al-Qaeda, after what happened to bin Laden, American tourists and expats are like walking lightning rods during an electrical storm.
We should thank the US embassy for having issued a travel warning on Thailand.
It would be even better if the embassy warned Americans not to visit Thailand at all.
The government, too, should stop issuing visas for American tourists for now. It should also warn Thais to stay away from Americans and avoid places they frequent. And if possible, avoid the Wireless Road area altogether.
Somsak Pola
Bangkok
