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"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail DoctorZin”
Posted on 06/20/2004 12:31:43 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
There appears to be another battleground in the War on Terror. A looming nuclear crisis seems to be developing in the Islamic extremist country of Iran.
Months ago, Iranian leadership, under pressure from the world community, agreed to allow United Nations inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to evaluate their nuclear capabilities amid reports of Iranian efforts to develop such weapons. The inspectors were given free reign to inspect suspect locations within the country and the ability to launch surprise investigations of facilities in the country.
From the outside it seemed that Iran was falling in line with the wishes of the UN and complying with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (designed to stop the spread of nuclear weapons), of which it is a member state.
Recent events, however, demonstrate Iran's true unwillingness to comply with such regulations.
Apparently, the Iranians have relocated many of their nuclear testing facilities to avoid detection by UN inspectors. Many locations, found on satellite imagery, seem to disappear when UN inspectors arrive. Not only that, but a trace amount of weapons grade plutonium was found at a site the inspectors were able to locate.
The Iranians claim the plutonium was there by mistake, however, since the location was a military instillation, their intentions seem quite suspect.
Furthermore, reports from the IAEA indicate Iran is purchasing centrifuge technology and scientific expertise from the communist Chinese in exchange for oil — needed for their growing economy.
The threat posed by a nuclear Iran is immense — and will have a profound impact on the War on Terror. After all, it is well known that Iran is a major supporter of terrorism — and has been for nearly 30 years. In fact, just last week, Tehran (the Iranian capital) hosted an international summit of terrorist leaders. At this summit, supposedly unbeknownst to Iranian leadership, it was decided that suicide bombers would be used against United States forces providing security for the new Iraqi government. Even more threatening are reports that Iran has amassed four army battalions on the Iraqi border; ready to invade for "security purposes" when the United States finally withdraws troops from Iraq.
With the evident threat, one would think the Bush Administration would consider it prudent to explore the possibility of enlisting the UN in actions against Iran, but, surprisingly, they have not.
Despite harsh lip service by Secretary of State Colin Powell and other Administration leaders, the president has done little in the way of offering serious consequences for continued Iranian non-compliance. Apparently, President Bush is too concerned with election year politics to address the Iran problem. Let me explain.
Even though the IAEA has confirmed Iran should be brought before the UN Security Council for possible sanctions, the council has reneged opting instead to revisit the issue in September. This charge was led by US diplomats claiming Iran should be allowed more time to comply with IAEA demands.
On the surface, it appears to be a gracious gesture of faith, but considering President Bush's stance on terror sponsoring states, it seems unlikely he would extend such faith — especially to a country as militant as Iran. No, more realistically, the president realizes that should sanctions be imposed on Iran — those hindering oil exports from the country — domestic gas prices would surge.
This would provide fuel to the Kerry Campaign, dampening the robust economy produced by the Bush tax cuts, and perhaps costing him the White House come November.
By delaying action to September, the president knows any sanctions would not take hold until after the election, having already been safely re-elected and in position to deal with gas prices.
If this is truly the case, the president is taking a deadly gamble with national security. Some analysts claim Iran is nearly three years from having the bomb, but because no one can be sure, the sooner action is taken the better.
Now, Iran does fit into the War on Terror, but not in the same way as Iraq. Iran is not a candidate for invasion because there is no stable element to return power to after the fall of the current government. Moreover, the alternative to Iran's current leadership is even more extreme. Any element of liberal reform in the country would be crushed by the predominance of extremist Islamic militants — creating an even greater threat than that already present.
An economic war should be waged on Iran — one conducted in conjunction with UN sanctions and pressure from the international community. Pressure should also be exerted upon supporters of Iran, namely the Chinese and Russians.
Like Iraq, however, the world community will not act unless President Bush takes the lead — and the time to start is now.
Andy Obermann is a 21-year-old college senior, attending a small private college in Missouri. He is majoring in both history and secondary education at Missouri Valley College.
fyi
Good to see our young adults paying attention to the world stage. Not all of them are glued to MTV.
Consider the source of this criticism. It comes from a 21 year old college student.
Bush will deal with Iran more firmly than Kerry would. But Bush knows he must also get elected.
So in the end, the right thing gets done, but not just the precise way to suit a college history major.
Sounds to me like it's time for another "Operation Diaper Change," this one in Iran. The BS must stop - one way or another.
Same deal they did years ago, with Iraq's reactor? I think you're spot on.
Bush has to win this election. He can't come across as beligerent-period.
If Bush wins and Iran later refuses to cooperate with a Security Council resolution asking for compliance, the US will bomb.
"If you want on or off this Iran ping list, Freepmail DoctorZin”
Whack 'em. Whack 'em good. Whack 'em real good.
the F-15 E strike eagles can take the iranian facilities out without refuelling.
they were bought by israel to take the paki facilities out, but have been just rusting all these years. It's been so long that most the pilots who trained for the mission might be in wheel chairs as well.
Besides refuelling would never be a problem, they could use US airbases in iraq.
• “the president is taking a deadly gamble with national security”
• “the alternative to Iran's current leadership is even more extreme”
• “Any element of liberal reform in the country would be crushed by the predominance of extremist Islamic militants ”
How can one person be this terminally stupid?
• “[Author] Andy Obermann is a 21-year-old college senior, attending a small private college in Missouri”
Oh, OK, now I see.
--Boot Hill
Iran is much larger, further away, with more intelligent leadership and the element of surprise is gone. It is beyond Israel's reach.
"It is beyond Israel's reach."
I wouldn't bet on that.
When and if Israel decides that this is a risk they cannot tolerate, they will do WHATEVER they need to do to eliminate it, including preemptive tactical nuclear strikes.
Unlike many other pantywaist governments overly concerned about "world opinion", they know they are in a fight for their survival.
They are resourceful, dedicated, and talented people
They would do the world a favor!
He does not have to win. He is also continuing to show firmness. If that is belligerence, let him keep on.
The kids at least looking for patterns. He just hasn't quite tied it all together yet.
Iranian oil has nothing to do with it. AFAIK, we don't use Iranian crude either directly or via middlemen.
Bush doesn't have anything at all to say regarding Iran....at this time.
BTW, it wasn't 4 battalions, the media translated it wrong.
Per DARPA:
London: Al-Sharq al-Awsat (Internet Version-WWW) in Arabic 15 Jun 04 [Unattributed Report: "Iran Deploys Four Military Divisions Near [Iraqi] Border"]
Â
London, Al-Sharq al-Awsat -- Reliable Iraqi sources have revealed that Iran moved part of its regular military forces toward the Iraqi border in the southern sector and also
infiltrated numerous military intelligence elements into Iraqi territory.
Â
The source told Al-Sharq al-Awsat that four Iranian Army divisions, including the Golden Division [al-firqah al-Dhahabiyah], are currently stationed near the Iraqi border in the
Al-Amarah and Al-Basrah sector and in the vicinity of Dezful in the Maysan sector and Shalamcheh in the Al-Basrah sector.
Â
The source pointed out that the Iranians might plan to enter Iraqi territory if the US forces withdraw [from Iraq] in order to exploit the security vacuum that could occur there,
relying on their intelligence elements that have been infiltrated into Iraq since the overthrow of the former regime over a year ago.
http://tides.carebridge.org/TIRR/D-TIRR229.htm
You bet. But which project is first, Saddam's nerve gas in Syria (the ennouncement will get ally G.W. re-elected) or the Iranian "alternative energy supply" (sarcasm).
But to be talented includes the ability to recognise what is possible and what is not. BTW, Jewish people failed in that aspect a number of crucial times - one was the uprisings against Romans.
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