Iran and the Nuclear Problem

[Sand]

Iran is still defiant of the UN and the west claiming that the Western nationss are trying to bully them in being a weak power. Iran is so adamant to have nuclear energy that internal rivals have joined together in this. Iran's leadership believes that the only way for it to be considered a first world power is to have nuclear energy, may it be for peaceful means in the form of power plants, or what the Bush Administration believes, for nuclear missiles. Now, many western nations have set up to give Iran aid packages to tempt them and sanctions to punish them from becoming a nuclear power. Iran scoffs at both and remains focused on seeking to become the next nation to have nuclear energy.

 

Given that its rivals, such as the US and Israel, have nuclear power and a nuclear arsenal I think that Iran has the right to be worried. In recent years the US has been very aggressive and seen as an invader. Iran should have the ability to protect itself from any and all aggression, while it is seen as a terrorist state and feared to given weapons and support to terrorist groups. Understandably so that Israel, the US, and its allies would not want to see Iran give a nuclear weapon to these terrorists.

 

Does Iran have the right to protect itself by whatever means and by whatever technologies it has available to it? Does Iran have the right to pursue nuclear power in order to be equal in strength and power to those who threaten its borders? If so, do they have the right to do a pre-emptive strike like the US did with Iraq?

 

Interesting times indeed.

[Atreides]

Iran is plenty strong even without nukes. If it comes to war there'll be hell to pay.

[metadigital]

It's more sabre rattling (by Iran) than anything else ... though they must be very pleased that the US has basically destroyed all their opposition in the region, making them the regional hegemonic power by default ...

[Enoch]

An often-overlooked element of this situation is internal Iranian politics. What Iranian leaders fear most isn't being shunned by the international community, or being denied their Nukes & power plants-- it's an electoral victory in Iran by reformist politicians who would undo many of the theocratic (and autocratic) elements of the Iranian state. The conservative factions that led the 1979 revolution are legitimately frightened by the progress that reformist candidates made in elections in the '90s. They're trying (mostly with success) to hold on to power by stoking nationalist feelings in the electorate, indirectly blaming the nation's problems on outside forces (namely Isreal, the U.S., and the U.N.). Much of the rhetoric that comes out of Iranian leaders is intended not for the international community, but for the Iranian public.

Edited February 24, 2007 by Enoch

[Arkan]

An often-overlooked element of this situation is internal Iranian politics. What Iranian leaders fear most isn't being shunned by the international community, or being denied their Nukes & power plants-- it's an electoral victory in Iran by reformist politicians who would undo many of the theocratic (and autocratic) elements of the Iranian state. The conservative factions that led the 1979 revolution are legitimately frightened by the progress that reformist candidates made in elections in the '90s. They're trying (mostly with success) to hold on to power by stoking nationalist feelings in the electorate, indirectly blaming the nation's problems on outside forces (namely Isreal, the U.S., and the U.N.). Much of the rhetoric that comes out of Iranian leaders is intended not for the international community, but for the Iranian public.

Given that its rivals, such as the US and Israel, have nuclear power and a nuclear arsenal I think that Iran has the right to be worried. In recent years the US has been very aggressive and seen as an invader. Iran should have the ability to protect itself from any and all aggression, while it is seen as a terrorist state and feared to given weapons and support to terrorist groups. Understandably so that Israel, the US, and its allies would not want to see Iran give a nuclear weapon to these terrorists.

 

Does Iran have the right to protect itself by whatever means and by whatever technologies it has available to it? Does Iran have the right to pursue nuclear power in order to be equal in strength and power to those who threaten its borders? If so, do they have the right to do a pre-emptive strike like the US did with Iraq?

 

Interesting times indeed.

 

 

A little bit of both of these.

[Walsingham]

I have to say i agree with Enoch. I think that our best bet is to put some kind of stereotypical Jamaican in charge of the counter-Iranian plan. Relax until internal Iraian politics changes the situation. If we merely patted them on the head and smiled indulgently this would upset them far more, and undo their primary aim.

 

However, to take this line is untenable in today's climate for two reasons:

1. North Korea requires the complete opposite, and our cretinous publics won't stand for different strategies;

2. Ahmedinejad's rhetoric about Israel and the holocaust is both scary and offensive, which is worrying for anyone seeing him with his hand on the nuclear trigger and indiciative of teh kind of fruitbats who may have it in future.

 

 

It is also possible that all of this is a ruse as part of an agreement with e the US. Past CIA officers have said that when the US wants Arab reformers to remain in power the first step is to give them a covert understanding and allow them to say as hurtful things as they like in public.

[Volourn]

"Does Iran have the right to protect itself by whatever means and by whatever technologies it has available to it?"

 

Absolutely, they do. So do other countries though including the US and Isreal.

 

 

" Does Iran have the right to pursue nuclear power in order to be equal in strength and power to those who threaten its borders?"

 

Absolutely; but other countries have the right to try to stop even using extremes if they feel they must for their own safety.

 

 

" If so, do they have the right to do a pre-emptive strike like the US did with Iraq?"

 

Sure, and then face the cosnequences.

 

 

Countries have the right to do whatever they want. They also have the right to face the consequences of their choices.

[taks]

If so, do they have the right to do a pre-emptive strike like the US did with Iraq?

uh, it wasn't really preemptive, though our retaliation for iraq's treaty violations was certainly not tit for tat.

 

taks

[Dark Moth]

Does Iran have the right to protect itself by whatever means and by whatever technologies it has available to it? Does Iran have the right to pursue nuclear power in order to be equal in strength and power to those who threaten its borders? If so, do they have the right to do a pre-emptive strike like the US did with Iraq?

 

No.

Edited February 25, 2007 by Dark Moth

[Walsingham]

"Does Iran have the right to protect itself by whatever means and by whatever technologies it has available to it?"

 

Absolutely, they do. So do other countries though including the US and Isreal.

 

 

" Does Iran have the right to pursue nuclear power in order to be equal in strength and power to those who threaten its borders?"

 

Absolutely; but other countries have the right to try to stop even using extremes if they feel they must for their own safety.

 

 

" If so, do they have the right to do a pre-emptive strike like the US did with Iraq?"

 

Sure, and then face the cosnequences.

 

 

Countries have the right to do whatever they want. They also have the right to face the consequences of their choices.

 

You have a rich career waiting for you in the State Department, mon amis.