An article in the Washington Post by David Ignatius claim that Secty. of Panetta, believe that " there is a strong likelihood" that Israel will strike Iran in April, May or June. Three months ago, a huge explosion that destroyed a Iranian Revolutionary Guard testing site, that was developing missiles with a range of 10,000 kilometres, "It was aimed at America, not us", according to Moshe Ya'alon, a deputy prime minister and minister of strategic affairs. Obviously he is trying to sell the idea that US as well as Israel are targets and that Iran's nuclear program is a grave threat "a nightmare for the free world".
Why is the rhetoric heating up? Firstly this is an election year in the US. Pres. Obama is seeking re-election and there are those who think that he can be influenced to join , or atleast not stop Israel, from attacking Iran. They do so, because the Jewish vote and financing is very important.
Secondly sanctions take time to work and Israel is accusing former friend Turkey of helping Iran avoid these sanctions by allowing it to use Turkish banking systems. Thirdly, Russia is still opposed to harsher sanctions and any Security Council action ( there is the Putin factor also), China need Iranian oil and so unless it can be guaranteed oil from other sources, it will not jeopardise its developments by giving up Iranian supply.
This why more and more, it seems that Israel will have to act alone (unless you take the recent statements of Canadian PM Harper and those of his Foreign Minister, seriously. Harper on Dec 16, interview .."these are people who have a particular, you know, fanatically religious world view and their statements imply to me no hesitation of using nuclear weapons (they do not have any), if they see them achieving their religious or political purposes". Couple this with Baird's recent article in Globe and Mail, where he goes to great length to paint Iranian leadership as "insane to the point of being suicidal". He writes "their stated goal is the complete destruction of the Jewish state and Jewish people..........if the 20th century taught us anything, it is that when fanatics issue clear threats, it is smart to take them at their word". This buffoon needs a history lesson.
Dangerous and worrisome . Iran is not Germany. It does not have nuclear weapons (Israel is estimated to have atleast 200, enough to obliterate Iran and surroundings, with the fallout affecting the rest of the world).
Iranian leaders talk pompously and make outrageous and warlike threats. Its all bombast. In wanting to develop nuclear weapons, Iran wants not only to protect itself against futeure attacks (it was Israel which attacked Iran three months ago and want to do so again), but to enhance its position in the Middle East. It is Persian and Shia in a sea of Arabs and Sunna. It looks at North Korea and what does it see? A nuclear power with insurance. Same with Pakistan...nuclear insurance. India, China. Russia, France, Britain, United States, all insulated/ protected by nuclear weapons.
" To win without fighting is best'' Sun Tzu. Let the sanctions do their work. If, as the Israelis claim, the Turks are helping Iran, they can be weaned away. Russia and China are not totally opposed to sanctions either. They can be gradually brought on board.
Iran needs reassurance. It needs to be involved (there are areas for co-operation, in Afghanistan, In the drug war, in Iraq for instance). You cannot reduce their paranoia with talks of war, with the killing of their scientists, with claims, like the Canadian's that they are insane/suicidal/ fanatically religious.
Let's all take a deep breath and relax. What's the hurry? It's not as if the Iranians will develpop nuclear weapons overnight. You can kill them
Why is the rhetoric heating up? Firstly this is an election year in the US. Pres. Obama is seeking re-election and there are those who think that he can be influenced to join , or atleast not stop Israel, from attacking Iran. They do so, because the Jewish vote and financing is very important.
Secondly sanctions take time to work and Israel is accusing former friend Turkey of helping Iran avoid these sanctions by allowing it to use Turkish banking systems. Thirdly, Russia is still opposed to harsher sanctions and any Security Council action ( there is the Putin factor also), China need Iranian oil and so unless it can be guaranteed oil from other sources, it will not jeopardise its developments by giving up Iranian supply.
This why more and more, it seems that Israel will have to act alone (unless you take the recent statements of Canadian PM Harper and those of his Foreign Minister, seriously. Harper on Dec 16, interview .."these are people who have a particular, you know, fanatically religious world view and their statements imply to me no hesitation of using nuclear weapons (they do not have any), if they see them achieving their religious or political purposes". Couple this with Baird's recent article in Globe and Mail, where he goes to great length to paint Iranian leadership as "insane to the point of being suicidal". He writes "their stated goal is the complete destruction of the Jewish state and Jewish people..........if the 20th century taught us anything, it is that when fanatics issue clear threats, it is smart to take them at their word". This buffoon needs a history lesson.
Dangerous and worrisome . Iran is not Germany. It does not have nuclear weapons (Israel is estimated to have atleast 200, enough to obliterate Iran and surroundings, with the fallout affecting the rest of the world).
Iranian leaders talk pompously and make outrageous and warlike threats. Its all bombast. In wanting to develop nuclear weapons, Iran wants not only to protect itself against futeure attacks (it was Israel which attacked Iran three months ago and want to do so again), but to enhance its position in the Middle East. It is Persian and Shia in a sea of Arabs and Sunna. It looks at North Korea and what does it see? A nuclear power with insurance. Same with Pakistan...nuclear insurance. India, China. Russia, France, Britain, United States, all insulated/ protected by nuclear weapons.
" To win without fighting is best'' Sun Tzu. Let the sanctions do their work. If, as the Israelis claim, the Turks are helping Iran, they can be weaned away. Russia and China are not totally opposed to sanctions either. They can be gradually brought on board.
Iran needs reassurance. It needs to be involved (there are areas for co-operation, in Afghanistan, In the drug war, in Iraq for instance). You cannot reduce their paranoia with talks of war, with the killing of their scientists, with claims, like the Canadian's that they are insane/suicidal/ fanatically religious.
Let's all take a deep breath and relax. What's the hurry? It's not as if the Iranians will develpop nuclear weapons overnight. You can kill them
