New Approches to Foreign Policy

by: Richard Allen Smith

Thu Oct 22, 2009 at 11:03:12 AM EDT


Looks like progress is being made at the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna:

VIENNA - Iranian negotiators have agreed to a draft deal that would delay the country's ability to build a nuclear weapon for about a year, buying more time for President Obama to search for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear standoff.

After nine months of an Obama Presidency, Iran has agreed to put their nuclear problem on hold for at least a year to engage in the diplomatic process. Previously, Iran spent eight years thumbing its nose at the international community while the Bush Administration engaged them with a strategy of "ignore it now, and decide whether or not to bomb it later". This is how the world can work when you have American leadership that doesn't engage in first-grade playground diplomacy ("You're not my friend so I'm not talking to you anymore!").

Richard Allen Smith :: New Approches to Foreign Policy
Tags: , , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email

Iran is not enriching their own uraniaum. (0.00 / 0)
That is one good point to make.  They are shipping their uranium abroad for the enrichment process.  This makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for them to have weapons-grade uranium.  It also makes it much easier for the IAEA to monitor.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

Amusing (0.00 / 0)
but pointless talk from the White House on this one.

A. The Iranians can still acquire a nuclear weapon with relative ease if they really wanted one.

B. I simply don't see where Iran possessing nuclear weapons poses that much of a threat to the world. The Mullahs crave power above all else, and firing off any sort of ballistic missile, much less a nuclear one, would be a sure way for them to ensure that they lose their power.

Bottom line is I don't see a guaranteed positive result and even if there was such a result, what would be the big deal?



I have always said (0.00 / 0)
Having a nuclear weapon is like having a diamond-studded Ferrari.  It is neat, and your friends will like it, but it doesn't have any practical uses.  Numerous countries that we consider to be enemies have nukes.  

My idea - if Iran wants nukes, fine sell them some.  Make sure it is at an extravagant high price.  We get a ton of money, and they get something they can't use.  

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama


[ Parent ]
Well (0.00 / 0)
it is theoretically possible that Iran could sell a nuke to someone like al Qaida. However, al Qaida could just as easily get a nuke from North Korea, Pakistan, and/or the Russian mafia. I simply do not see where Iran possessing any sort of nuclear weapon would greatly aid al Qaida in their pursuit.

But unlike Iran, I think al Qaida and Co. may very well have practical uses for nuclear devices and the will to use them.  


[ Parent ]
Free association thinking about Nuclear talk and foreign policy: (0.00 / 0)
Interesting that although Cheney is accusing Obama of dithering, in the last week after Maliki was in DC we have this + statement we will be out of Iraq by the end of next year + Biden gets agreement with Poland on the new missile defense plan.

http://www.voanews.com/english...

Besides the photo shopped Iranian missile launches, Iran has the following air force:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...

Yesterday, AIPAC Wolf Blitzer was naming the nations with Nukes. He stated that Israel has not declared their nuclear weapons, but it is commonly assumed that they do have Nukes. Maybe Iran will demand that Israel declare and agree to inspection.

SAC is back after getting sacked by BRAC 92:
http://www.af.mil/news/story.a...

Another FAIL at Minot, ND:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroo...


VetVoice on Social Media
Follow rockrichard on Twitter

VoteVets.org on Facebook
  • VetVoice Recommends

    "The War I Always Wanted,"
    By Brandon Friedman

    "The welcome mat for memoirs by veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom might never wear out so long as they write with the savvy of Brandon Friedman . . . Friedman's take is vivid, frank, precise and dramatic." --Military Times

    "Add Brandon Friedman's The War I Always Wanted to the ranks of outstanding non-fiction produced by officers from elite combat units in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Always truthful, often excruciatingly so, The War I Always Wanted rises at numerous points to the level of literature." --Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire

    Buy The War I Always Wanted here.

    "A Time To Lead,"
    By General (Ret.) Wesley K. Clark

    "A Time To Lead confirms the rewarding benefits of military service at a time when such service is experiencing considerable strain. It also includes a comprehensive description of America's current national imperatives, which deserve serious consideration." --General Alexander M. Haig, Jr., former Secretary of State

    "This is a primer on leadership forged in battle and by decades of experience. . .This isn't just a book; it's a manual for leading people and living a good life." --Barry McCaffrey, General, USA (ret.)

    Buy A Time to Lead here.

    "Love My Rifle More Than You,"
    By Kayla Williams

    "Whip smart, sassy, with a mouth as foul as a sailor's, 28-year-old Sergeant Kayla Williams. . .tells what it's like to be a female soldier in Iraq." --Booklist

    ". . .echoes military memoirists from Julius Caesar to Ernie Pyle." --Publishers Weekly

    ". . .a shocking, on-the-ground view of one military woman's experience in Iraq." --Bookmarks Magazine

    Buy Love My Rifle More Than You here.

    "How to Break a Terrorist,"
    By Matthew Alexander

    "...a riveting, fast-paced account that reads like a first-rate thriller." --Publisher's Weekly

    " ...an absorbing behind-the-scenes look at the secret intelligence war within a war." --Military.com

    Buy How to Break a Terrorist here.

    Search

    Advanced Search

    RSS Feed Links

    Subscribe to VetVoice in a feed reader!

    Subscribe to VetVoice by Email!

    Diaries and comments at VetVoice do not necessarily represent the views of VoteVets.org. VetVoice will strive to remove any illegal material as soon as it is flagged. Similarly, VetVoice will use its discretion in determining whether to remove exceedingly offensive material. However, between posting and removal, any offensive or illegal material does not reflect the condoning or endorsing of said material by VoteVets.org or VetVoice.
    Similarly, the views expressed on this website are those of the authors alone. Opinions on this website do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components.
    Menu

    Front Page Writers
    PTSD Resources
    TBI Resources
    IRR Information
    Casualty Reports
    VA Information
    Support the Troops
    Veteran Candidates We Support
    Congressional Committees
    Contact Your Elected Leaders
    Sites We Like

    Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.

    Site Design: Articulated Man

    VoteVets Political Action and Vote Vets Action Fund are separate organizations.

    Powered by: SoapBlox