Iran has Defense Headache
Asia Times / Richard M Bennett
22-Dec-2009 (4 comments)

United States President Barack Obama reportedly told representatives of the Chinese governmentrecently that the US may not be able to restrain the Israelis from launching a massive military strike on Iran's nuclear and missile facilities for much longer.

According to the Israeli Newspaper Ha'aretz on December 17: President Barack Obama has warned his Chinese counterpart that the United States would not be able to keep Israel from attacking Iranian nuclear installations for much longer, senior officials in Jerusalem told Ha'aretz. They said Obama warned President Hu Jintao during the American's visit to Beijing a month ago as part of the US attempt to convince the Chinese to support strict sanctions on Tehran if it does not accept Western proposals for its nuclear program.

The Israeli officials, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the United States had informed Israel on Obama's meetings in Beijing on Iran. They said Obama made it clear to Hu that at some point the United States would no longer be able to prevent Israel from acting as it saw fit in response to the perceived Iranian threat.

. . . . .

As with a number of well-known Middle Eastern leaders, including the late and largely unlamented Saddam Hussein, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad continues to put what purports to be national pride before common sense or a rational approach to international relations.

The... >>>

Dan Huck

Pontius Pilate Can Choose To Get Involved, Or Not

by Dan Huck on Tue Dec 22, 2009 05:28 PM PST

The people of the world are today's Pontius Pilate. Will they wash their hands as to the fate of this man, President Ahmadinejad and the millions of innocent Iranians whose lives appear to be teetering on the edge of great misery and destruction?

It appears Iran really has no choice but to accept the foreign policy of the GOVERNMENT of the US relating to the Mid-east is dictated by the GOVERNMENT of Israel. The policy may not necessarily be the policy which would be supported by the NATION of the US, to use the distinction drawn by Thomas Paine in his "The Rights of Man", however that's a topic for the academicians like Walt and Mearsheimer, and for the voters of the US to deal with.

There may be many 'voices crying in the wilderness' like myself who insist it shouldn't be so, however, it is so. Any government of the money, by the money, for the money, like ourselves, with some democratic features, and the nation that government rules over, has to be aware of the susceptibility of that government to foreign money interests, which don't play by the same rule-book even our own money interests have to play by.

Foreign interests are generally backed by foreign governments which can play very dirty. We only have to look at our own behavior in other nations to get an idea of what others who are motivated can do here. The hegemony promulgated by the 5 + 1 is heavily invested in the expanding arms industry. That industry is dependent on continuing devastation and destruction. Gaza continues so the nations of the world can see a 'model partnership'. The people of Gaza are 'modeling' for us. They are a living example to the nations of the world. It is important as an ongoing reminder of the 'futility' of resistance.

Iran also needs to be aware timeliness is key. It is not clear their government, as presently constituted, can survive. Nor is it clear if they announce to the world a complete openness regarding their nuclear program, and invite in the UN's Nuclear Regulatory Agency, and scientists and investigators from more 'neutral' countries such as China, Russia, or India, to be 'on hand' while their peaceful nuclear program progresses, whether under those circumstances and oversight, the 5 + 1 countries (as well as Israel) would relent regarding the continuing enrichment Iran, ostensibly, has a right to.

Israel wants to clear the air; they want Greater Israel, they want their unequal role in the neighborhood to continue, they want you to know there is the opportunity for many to populate their own 'Gaza' if that is their existential choice.


Balatarin
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cyclicforward

Mamane-Omid

by cyclicforward on Wed Dec 23, 2009 06:06 AM PST

I really don't know how else to say it. I was quite clear about my goals and that is to get rid of IRI. The regime can not be defended by nay sane person.


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Mamane-Omid

To: cyclicforward

by Mamane-Omid on Tue Dec 22, 2009 08:29 PM PST

Seems like, being unable to put your point of view forward, like Dan has done so well, you resort to ugliness. Please take the time to learn a few things including debating like a civilized person.

Thank you.

 

Mamane-Omid


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cyclicforward

You don't know what lunatic is.

by cyclicforward on Tue Dec 22, 2009 07:37 PM PST

Don't interfere and write about something you don't understand. This barbaric regime needs to be annihilated and we will take care of it. So don't go around defending them.

 


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