[francisurquhart]

I don't agree. Especially if (as this article indicates) these were ongoing negotiations.

If two nations at war are negotiating- and things are moving along fine- and one nation suddenly demands the other nation hand over its capital and disband its army, the power who made such demands has decided to stop talking.

Frankly, I expect this year's "October Surprise" to be synchronized Iranian and North Korean nuclear tests.

[My Favorite Headache]

Wanna bet that this will be blamed on Bush? How you ask?

He invaded the wrong "I" country. Then with the fine folks over in North Korea...Bush will be blamed for not paying attention to the real threats....oh boy...this is gonna suck.

[Ethyl]

Frankly, I expect this year's "October Surprise" to be synchronized Iranian and North Korean nuclear tests.


By us or them?

[Mr. Mojo]

If two nations at war are negotiating- and things are moving along fine- and one nation suddenly demands the other nation hand over its capital and disband its army, the power who made such demands has decided to stop talking.

But by doing this Iran would essentially be announcing to the world that they're "on the verge" of acquiring nukes, which obviously isn't in their best interest (to say the least). ......unless, of course, they already have them.

[LiberalBassTurds]

If two nations at war are negotiating- and things are moving along fine- and one nation suddenly demands the other nation hand over its capital and disband its army, the power who made such demands has decided to stop talking.

Welcome Francis. Good analysis, and no doubt true.

I think as Ghost of Philip Marlowe suggests this action must be viewed in the context of our forces on their East & West flank. A negotiator could also take their ridiculous demands as a sign that they are desperate.

Desperation and fear can work to our benefit. Their own people are watching their behavior. No doubt it plays well to the Islamakazis but I'm sure it's also galvanizing feelings on the pro-democracy front.

It's the associated rash acts, which the fear thereof they are intentionally feeding with their approach, that we must be on guard for. We have many smart folks who are gaming this, I'm sure, while we ponder the situation.

There are many passionate about Iran here. You're in good company and I look forward to your future posts.

LBT

-=-=-

[Michael121]

I say we give both Iran and N. Korea Nukes. Instead of allowing them to make one that is inferior.

Here is the plan: Their Scientists can reverse engineer the ones we supply, that is IF, they fail to go BOOM.

And then after making that announcement, say and by the way They are in flight and should arrive any moment.

[G Larry]

I agree!
I think this October the U.S. ought to test some nuclear weapons in N. Korea & Iran.

[Chaguito]

I think you may be responding to a misdirection. If I was about to be attacked by Israel, I would try to make the Israelis and their "allies" think that it would produce apocalyptic results. Their third demand is the key: protection from Israel.

The key diplomatic goal should be how to use this information, if correct, to destabilize the regime of the Mullahs.