Opinion  Others
Iran's nuclear menace
Alon Ben-Meir
Published: 30.08.06, 12:59
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1. Dont Underestimate the Americans
TD ,   London   (08.30.06)
I don't agree that the USA does not have a strategy for dealing with Iran. They have used the last 5 years to surround Iran with military force; they have developed an anti-missile defence system, which will be deployed in Israel; they have tried to erode Iran's proxy forces, such as Hezbollah - with allies; they have used the diplomatic farce to isolate Iran and demonstrate how unreasonable and deceitful the mullahs are; they have continually highlighted Iran as a major threat. These factors all suggest a cohesive strategy, not a lack of direction as the author suggests. If Iran actually attacks another country with a WMD, Iran will no longer exist in its present form. However I am certain that the administration has set 'red lines' short of actual attack, after which military action becomes much more probable. One might be a nuclear test or , as we are seeing at the moment, direct evidence of enrichment. It might be that the red line has been crossed. The mullahs are foolish. America did not become a hyperpower by sheer luck. While Americans don't like to fight until they have to, you can be sure of one thing - if they have to, their enemies had better tremble, as the Japanese learned in 1945. This is a country that has learned how to increase and protect its power, and a country like Iran won't be able to change that.
2. COURSE OF ACTION FOR USA
MAHMOOD ,   LONDON-UK   (08.30.06)
USA should be sober enough to still rescue the situation and call upon a country like S.Africa to initiate talks with Iran and gradually continue the talks with Iran face to face.In the meantime, Israel should make a geniune attempt to do as much as is possible for the Palestinians.A geniune desire to live and let live.
3. Negotiating with terrorists
steve ,   USA   (08.30.06)
It seems to me, if we've learned anything from history, we do not negtiate with terrorists, gangsters and criminals. Neville Chamberlain took this approach with Adolf Hitler. We all know the results. Some 50 million slaughtered and the word "Chamberlain" is forever associated with "appeasement." Mr. Bush has already foolishly gone down this negotiations route by offering Iran "incentives" to give up her nuclear ambitions. The only solution to this standoff is brute force. The same kind of force Israel exercised at the Osirak reactor in Iraq.
4. Why doesn't Ben-Meir get it?
Edan ,   Beer Sheva   (08.30.06)
Iran WILL NOT abandon its enrichment program. Ahmadenijad has claimed numerous times that they will NEVER abandon it. There is no solution but to bomb their facilities.
5. Iran Nuke Threat
Brod ,   USA   (08.30.06)
In facing this threat only Israel has the capability and experience to deal with this threat. Furthermore, Israel has all the moral and legal justification to defend itself from Iran's repeated threats of annihilating the State of Israel. This does not mean that Israel's friends will not support Israel in defending itself from a barrage of ICBMs and other forms of aggressions by the Islamist-Jihadist fanatical regime.
7. iran will get nukes..
Mitch ,   Madison USA   (08.30.06)
Israel best get used to the idea of a nuclear Iran. There is absolutely nothing the USA or Israel can do to change this. No amount of airstrikes will destory all hidden nuclear sites. Iran is not Iraq. Perhaps if the Israelis had attempted to negotiate a fair peace with its Arab neighbors instead of stealing land, building illegal settlements, bombing the living hell out of its nothern neighbor, things would have not come to this. You reap what you sow.
8. 6 - selective history, selective analysis
NL ,   Israel   (08.30.06)
You state "We all remember that in 1973 israel considered retaliating for egypts and syrias conventional attack with a nuclear BOMB." Correct. Operative word being considered , aka and then showed restraint. Israel had military advantage at the end of every war and ceded land for peace time and time again. Notice how many times Israel returned Sinai, only to be attacked again. Additionally, you claim Israel didn't give Egypt and Jordan back their land. Egypt received Sinai in exchange for peace. Israeli PM Begin wanted to give back Gaza, but it was Egypt who refused. East J'lem (Jordan) was actually annexed by Jordan in 1950. This annexation was acknowledged as legitimate by only two countries - UK and Pakistan. Aka, some West Bank land you claim was 'stolen' wasn't exactly. History is made to be studied. So perhaps you should study it, the facts instead of distorted one-sided rhetoric.
9. Search on your computers for Divine Strake
Steven Wilson ,   Alaska   (08.30.06)
America doesn't have any alternatives----sure they don't.
10. EMP weapon over Iran...
Craig ,   USA   (08.30.06)
The USA must act unilaterally and quickly. We must dteonate an EMP weapon over Iran thus frying every unshielded electronic device throughout the whole country. The United States has the power but lacks the will.
11. Erasing Irans nuclear menace forever
jeff ,   three rivers,U.S.A.   (08.30.06)
I hapen to be quite a peaceful guy,but if its one thing that history shows,is SOMETIMES it takes a horror to pave way for peace. case in point,Germany. They started two world wars along with the hollocaust.Once the allies banded TOGETHER AS 1 and leveled them,they are now a shining example of hope in the world. case in point,Japan. They commited horrible attrocities for decades upon decades,and unfortunate as it was,it took 2 nuke strikes,but now they are a leader in society and technological advancements,as well as a completely pacafist nation. maybe thats what the middle east needs,a nuke strike on Nantz and some hardcore carpet bombing on the rest of the suspected sites,along with the decimation of their armed forces. Yes its unspeakable,and would be wrong,butr would it be more wrong to wait,then let them start a war that could get out of hand in a microsecond. 1 bomb on the major underground site,along with a ultimatum,do it again and next time Irans capital.I think this one sinful act would finally be the way to say HEY!,stop it,cause its proven that conventional warfare doesnt get the point across well enough.maybe then theyll see the light.I gaurentee the PA and Seria will have accidents in the proverbial pants.Yes countries will denounce it for a few years,but that is a better outcome than whole countries being silenced permanantly later on.Same with the DPRK,one bomb there on Polygang and they will surrender.Its time the world steps up to bat,and finally tells these terrorist rouge nations that there is another way to live.
12. Israel better get on the stick
David ,   Dayton, Ohio USA   (08.30.06)
If this is such a life or death matter for Israel, then it sounds like Israel better get on the stick to figure out how IT is going to deal with this problem. Don't plan on having America bail you out of this one like we did with Iraq.
13. iran nuclear war
bigman ,   lebanon   (08.30.06)
now lets face it if there will be any nuclear war it is a world war 3 and it is dooms day now how many nuclear missile not missilis neaded for israel and how many will be thrawn to iran so it is a lose lose situation and no body in the right mind will thing to begin this war!!
14. Iran and USA
Larry ,   USA   (08.31.06)
If Iran and USA come to mutual understanding and have friendly relations then Israel would have to be the sacrificial lamb. Having Iran and USA as enemies is in the best interest of Israel.
15. steam, steam, steam
termite   (08.31.06)
and arriving on the scene is the steam team. "uh oh" the Dr. said, "the temperature is higher than expected". Pretend as if Almy already has a nuke. Israel pretends it has them but has never shown them. Play show and tell. Kiss a little persian butt, he's that needy. The people need shelters and personal protection. Obviously, the politicians and the military are protecting their own. Arrows and bunker busters are not going to work. Putting all the cards on the table will.
16. Saku Rado
MasterPeace ,   India   (08.30.06)
Worried about menacing nuclear weapons and World Ward III? The Fraudulent Gurus will protect you. THE RITUAL OF SAKU RADO IS A BLESSING TO ALL THE PEOPLES OF EARTH THE FRAUDULENT GURUS PERFORM SAKU RADO ONCE EVERY TEN YEARS IN SERENE CELEBRATION OF JOYOUS BEING THROUGH INFINITE SUSTAIN. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkZy2k_aphA
17.  Iran will be attacked by US at some point
patriot ,   chicago,US   (08.31.06)
There is a Congressional election in November, nothing can be done before then. After that, Iran's nuke facilities can be attacked once the price of gasoline subsides. That is the American political reality at this time. For Bush to act now will have disastrous effects politically, the Left is really feeling its oats here in US and would say that Bush is out of "control" and needs to be stopped. They are traitors and one day they will be dealt with, harshly. But until that time, they will be tolerated and, hopefully, politically contained. They are very dangerous and a great enemy of the American people, but there days are numbered and just politically, either.
18. 13-Iran's not in its right mind. Look what they did to lebs
(08.31.06)
19. Mahmood
Marvin ,   California, USA   (08.31.06)
If South Africa had any integrity you are 100% right. and your people should be proud of you as I believe you sound fair minded........The Bishop Tutu and their first presdent , Nelson Mandela made a big stink about America and did all they could to discredit the USA...Not a peep from them on Darfur though...Maybe I am missing something and they are working to help the thousands of people who are dying there in Darfur but I doubt it....Compared to what is happening in the middleast Darfur is a real holocaust and have you heard of any African Nation who really cares...?..What a World...Your idea Mahmood is good but the players are so anti Jewish they are like in a swoon....
20. Just Fasten Your Seatbelts
malcolm   (08.31.06)
During teh Iran/Iraq war Khomeini.the architecht of the Shiah "revolution" sent Iranian children, some as young as twelve years old, to the front lines. There, they marched in formation across minefields toward the enemy, clearing a path with their bodies. Before every mission,plastic keys would be hung around each child's neck. It was supposed to open the gates to paradise for them. No, Iran wants one of two outcomes. Destroy and rule the west or go to paradise as martyrs. Either way, for them it's a Win Win situation. The nuclear war IS inevitable and any negotiation is with the devil himself.
21. Kissinger made the same exact point
malcolm   (08.31.06)
Iran has to be given a narrow set of options. Iran has to understand the consequences of their actions. If they choose death, so be it. Odds are they will choose death.... " According to Khomeini, life is worthless and death is the beginning of genuine existence. "The natural world," he explained in October 1980, "is the lowest element, the scum of creation. "What is decisive is the beyond: The "divine world, that is eternal." This latter world is accessible to martyrs. Their death is no death, but merely the transition from this world to the world beyond, where they will live on eternally and in splendor. Whether the warrior wins the battle or loses it and dies a Martyr--in both cases, his victory is assured: either a mundane or a spiritual one. " - Matthias Kuntzel (Iran - Ahmadinejad: A Child of the Revolution Takes Over )
22. hey 13
Mateos ,   virginia   (08.31.06)
You think no one in their right mind will start ww3. You're right. But not the way you think. We can see plenty of evidence that SOMEONE is not in their right mind. That's the thing about wickedness, people who are not wicked always under estimate how insanely far wicked people will sink. wake up and smell the reality of evil. You can't wish it away and pretend it's not there. It cannot be appeased no matter how hard you try to reason and comfort it. Evil men know only one deterant. A show of strength. Weakness is an aphrodisiac to their desires. Tell me I'm wrong. I wish I were.
23. socialist
Michael   (08.31.06)
yes commrade mitch and i assume the stitching of emboldening our true enemy began in 1979 with your castro cuban luvin president carter. allthough as usual this is W's fault and not those peace luvin muslems!
24. Gotterdammerung by the twilight's
termite   (08.31.06)
last gleaming and Armageddon by the rocket's red glare. Dave from Dayton is so correct. Too many US boots on the ground all around the world. They could pull the trigger with a b1b but no one will be there to sweep away the ash and dust. check out that katrina mess.
25. Hand Wringing
Benjamin Kirov ,   Moscow   (08.31.06)
Iran will have nuclear warheads. It is a fait accompli. In their calculus it is Mutually Assured Destruction. However, the Sunni States, i.e. Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt in particular will be forced to develop their own nuclear arsenals. They, no less than Israel, will be able to tolerate a nuclear Shia umbrella looming over the region. The situation will unravel in or around that time...5 to 10 years.
26. re: Larry #14
Clark ,   USA   (08.31.06)
Larry. you are profoundly glib and profoundly naive. Israel is not going to be a sacrificial lamb. It certainly is no lamb. It has 200 warheads and possesses air, sea, and land (triad) capacity to deliver a catastrophic retaliatory strike against Iran, which contrary to its hyperbolic president, is enough to make Iran almost completely inhabitable for the next 200 years. And, ofcourse, Iran's missiles can now hit central Europe. Shall we sacrifice France? Surely, we have spent trillions defending Central and Western Europe against the Soviet Union for 50 years. Do we need to spend another 50 trillion dollars? It is it really worth it? Who needs the French, anyway. As for the concept of Sacrificial lamb, once that precedent is set, who will be the next sacrificial lamb. Will it be Sunni Jordan or perhaps Sunni Egypt. Will Taiwan or Japan or South Korea be the sacrificial lamb for China? Within 30 years, the Netherlands will have a plurality of muslims. Will their democratic system be the sacrificial lamb for Sharia?
27. re: Educate David in Ohio #12
Bradford ,   USA   (08.31.06)
As I recall, it was Israel which took out Saddam's reactor in Osirik in 1981. Had they not succeeded in this, the coalition forces would have faced a nuclear armed Iraq in the Gulf War iof 1991. Desert Storm would have been Desert Glass, because the sands would have turned to molten glass. And, as I recall, Israel was condemned for that action at the time. In 1991 the U.S. and its allies saved the Saudis and the Gulf States from Iraqi nuclear tipped hegemony. In further efforts to educate you, I would note that the United States and Israel have a continuing close partnership in DARPA defense development. Nearly 50,000 American men and women are employed in industries directly related to American/Israeli defense research and development. Israel has provided the United States with tens of billions of dollars in Defense Electronics. Ofcourse, to maintain the geopolitical order, the United States provides Egypt with billions in defense dollars. As a result, another 50,000 American men and women are employed in industries directly related to Egypt/American Defense technology. Israel's Gross Domestic Product is nearly 200 billion a year. The 3 billion the US gives it is a drop in the bucket for the returns in Israeli/American Defense R and D. You, on the otherhand are a completely ignorant and easily brainwashed by simplistic nostrums about the middle east.
28. Nuclear Iran
(08.31.06)
The article further reinforces my view that sooner Iran obtains nuclear weapons capability the better. Surely, if a nuclear Iran acts as a break on israelis inflicting terror on neighbouring countries at will, then it is not a bad thing. It might even act as a catalyst for a peaceful middle east; where Arabs and Jews can live in peace side by side. Don't forget, it is a threat of a nuclear war that has kept Europe at peace generally for over 60 years.
29. What makes people think "negotiations" work???
(08.31.06)
Negotiations didn't work with: Hitler Stalin Mao Pol Pot Ho Chi Minh Ayatolla Khomeni Sadam Yasser Arafat etc. etc.
30. Russian footprints
(08.31.06)
"We had only to keep repeating our themes - that the United States and Israel were "fascist, imperial-Zionist countries" bankrolled by rich Jews." by: Ion Mihai Pacepa http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NjUzMGU4NTMyOTdkOTdmNTA1MWJlYjYyZDliODZkOGM August 24, 2006 Russian Footprints: What does Moscow have to do with the recent war in Lebanon? By Ion Mihai Pacepa The Kremlin may be the main winner in the Lebanon war. Israel has been attacked with Soviet Kalashnikovs and Katyushas, Russian Fajr-1 and Fajr-3 rockets, Russian AT-5 Spandrel antitank missiles and Kornet antitank rockets. Russia's outmoded weapons are now all the rage with terrorists everywhere in the world, and the bad guys know exactly where to get them. The weapons cases abandoned by Hezbollah were marked: "Customer: Ministry of Defense of Syria. Supplier: KBP, Tula, Russia." Today's international terrorism was conceived at the Lubyanka, the headquarters of the KGB, in the aftermath of the1967 Six-Day War in the Middle East. I witnessed its birth in my other life, as a Communist general. Israel humiliated Egypt and Syria, whose bellicose governments were being run by Soviet razvedka (Russian for "foreign intelligence") advisers, whereupon the Kremlin decided to arm Israel's enemy neighbors, the Palestinians, and draw them into a terrorist war against Israel. See: Entire article at: http://article.nationalreview.com/print/?q=NjUzMGU4NTMyOTdkOTdmNTA1MWJlYjYyZDliODZkOGM
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