Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff thanks Ireland for troops Shannon stopover

Interesting to see how Ireland is being softened-up for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) associate membership, with a spot of shamrocks 'n' shennanigans diplomacy. Notra Dame/Fighting Irish v[ersu]s Old Navy/Midshipmen in the Aviva/Landsdown R[oa]d theatre of simulated warfare, with the former victorious, and material benefits to the ailing economy. Roger! Two Irish-American officers of USN and US Marines on board United States Ship (USS) doing heavy life for match - escorted by Irish Naval Service (INS) flagship Lóng Éireannach (phon/pron Lung Air-in-och) LÉ Eithne. Despite being pro-American, can't deny being a tad uneasy at those rendition flights from AfghanistanIraq to Gitmo via Shannon airport United States Air Force (USAF) base in County Limerick, Munster/southern Ireland province. Not being privy to any more sensitive information, (as an ex-Irish army military policeman myself), collaboration with US military is best done with due process and humanitarian missions only. The middle path is always the surest. (PS PaddyRanger! Interesting to see an Ulster loyalist like yourself taking a strong republican line re Iran/Israel, albeit of the American variety. And cunningly exploiting the old W[orld]W[ar] II neutrality controversy.)

" the soldiers love coming through the airport " what a stupid statement to make. Do they all go googoo listening to airport workers irish accents, because that is all they get to see/hear of Ireland.

@paddyRanger, I think that the Chairman was meaning that Iran was a rational actor because that nation understands the consequences that would ensue if a war was started with Israel. It's not to say that some actions, policies or beliefs they hold aren't irrational. You made the point yourself when you said "if they thought they could get away with it they would attack." They know they wouldn't, so they are trying to play by the rules. That's rational.

TomSwinford......Iran is NOT a rational actor at all....if they thought they could get away with it they would attack. Only by the US standing firm and showing it will not tolerate this would stop them and even that is not certain. YOu can not look at Iran with Western Eyes, it is as nasty a regime as Nazi Germany, and you would not call them rational either would you.

The comment below is just more Democratic rethoric. See 2016 the movie to learn more about the motive of telling the world that the Ireland is assisting America.

Martin Dempsey is a great guy and the country is fortunate to have a man of his competence and common sense in the highest uniformed position in the U.S. military. In responding to the chicken hawk hue & cry from congressional republicans - to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions (by supporting Israel in an attack) Dempsey said very clearly that Iran is a rational actor, meaning that its leadership will not launch a nuclear strike on Isreal or anyone else because to do so would be to commit national suicide.