Iran Nuclear Standoff

[senorpepr]

Interesting, not a single newspaper or news channel here has mentioned this 'possible' infiltration in Iraq by Iran.

I heard about it while in the Philippines watching Al Jazeera.

[SouthFloridawx]

Iran vows that never they will end it's nuclear program



"Iranian people, with faith in God, wisdom and resistance, will defend their inalienable rights... and celebrate the realization of their peaceful nuclear rights" Ahmadinejad said Wednesday.

It will come to a point when the patience of Israel and the U.S. will end.

Does anyone have the full text of his speech? It kind of bothers me only reading small portions of quotes, thus not allowing me to gain full understanding of the reasoning behind the statement.

Also notice he says, "peaceful nuclear rights".

I think it's kind of irresponsible for the media to submit small quotes to the public. They should give access through a link to the speech in it's entirety.

[cycloneye]

SouthFloridawx,A major speech from him about the nuclear program will be on Febuary 11th.

Iran's outspoken populist president is then expected to make a speech on February 11 in the captial's main Azadi (Freedom) square, where a 100-strong orchestra will play a "nuclear symphony".

[Bellarose]

What in the world is a "nuclear symphony"???? I can't remember ever having heard anything creepier.

[conestogo_flood]

Maybe it's a warning, or a heads up?

[SouthFloridawx]

Fear is a great tool...

[Bellarose]

I hope this whole situation doesn't get a lot worse before it gets better. Iran seems to just be loving taunting everyone with this "peaceful" nuclear program. I just can't seem to shake the feeling that things are just going to keep escalating, unless something drastic is done. And no one seems to know what that would involve. Me included.

[Brent]

I hope this whole situation doesn't get a lot worse before it gets better. Iran seems to just be loving taunting everyone with this "peaceful" nuclear program. I just can't seem to shake the feeling that things are just going to keep escalating, unless something drastic is done. And no one seems to know what that would involve. Me included.

I agree...

and as much as I think we don't need another war, if Iran really is attacking us in Iraq, then we really can't sit by and do nothing.

[Derek Ortt]

At times I feel as if I am talking to a wall in this thread

Yes, if Iran is attacking us, we must respond for the long term protection to our national security. I do not see the logic behind not responding. Not responding is sending a dangerous message to the rest of the world that one can attack US personnel without the fear of a very harsh response.

However, lets say we do take out Iran... then what do we do about Chavez, who long term may prove to be more of a threat due to the close proximity to the USA (and very close to Puerto Rico).

We cannot even start to do anything unless we take out the source of the problem, and we all know that is NK. Yes, we will lose 10s of thousands of American lives... but that is better that if we do nothing and lose millions.

For the record, if I am called to go to Iran or NK (where I'd rather fight and die), I will go no questions asked. To fail to report to a draft notice is treason, plain and simple

[Bellarose]

Derek, I completely agree with you that NK has to be dealt with. However, our military is stretched so thin (I know I don't need to get into this, as it has been covered in this thread) that I can't imagine we have any men to spare to get that job done. Especially since it is starting to become clear to me that we are slowly being drawn into a conflict with Iran. It seems to be a delicate balance with our troops already deployed and, in my opinion, not nearly enough to protect us here at home.

[fwbbreeze]

I hope this whole situation doesn't get a lot worse before it gets better. Iran seems to just be loving taunting everyone with this "peaceful" nuclear program. I just can't seem to shake the feeling that things are just going to keep escalating, unless something drastic is done. And no one seems to know what that would involve. Me included.

I agree...

and as much as I think we don't need another war, if Iran really is attacking us in Iraq, then we really can't sit by and do nothing.

up until recently I was very sceptical about engaging Iran at any level. I figured if we isolate the SOB economically, eventually his people would rise up and replace him and his regime of extremists. (wishful thinking I know) But the more I hear out of this regime the more I fear a justified war is coming....sooner rather than later. Mr Alhhshknkfnadlk (sp) has made it very clear of his intentions toward Israel and the United States. It would only take one attack at home or abroad on American interests to seriously disrupt our way of life. Iraq is a mess, its obvious that democracy is not atop the Iraqi's agenda, but we cannot accept Iran meddling in our interests and attacking our troops in Iraq period.


fwbbreeze

[Yarrah]

Yes, if Iran is attacking us, we must respond for the long term protection to our national security. I do not see the logic behind not responding. Not responding is sending a dangerous message to the rest of the world that one can attack US personnel without the fear of a very harsh response.

Not responding will indeed send out a message that US will not always revenge attacks, but do you really think that responding to this situation with an attack on Iran, one of the largest muslim countries in the world and guide to a lot of muslims outside Iran, will make it safer for the western troops in the Middle East?

[Derek Ortt]

It will make American forces safer if we take the gloves off, like we did at the end of the Kosovo War, when we brought Serbia to its knees by bombing civilians. Took away the Serbians' will to fight and they eventually turned against old Slobo.

If we try and play video games, as we have the last 4 years in Iraq, our troops will be in grave danger

If we do have to face Iran, we need to stop fooling around, stop worrying if the majority of the Arabs in the mid east will like us (most have been taught to hate us from day one, so we may NEVER be able to win over the hearts and minds), stop listening to their propaganda that this is a war against Islam (in Kosovo, we killed thousands of CHRISTIAN civilians to protect MUSLIMS, and do what we need to do. I shudder to think of the outcry that will happen if we have to launch a bombing raid on the scale of Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, or Tokyo (a raid that was much more devastating that the Atmoic Bomb raids).

As for out forces being stretched SK and Japanese forces, not to mention our B2s that could take out 8 targets in Iran and another 8 in NK on the same flight (those missions start and end in the USA for the most part)

[Stratosphere747]

Any potential conflict with Iran will be made by Israel in the next year or so.

Trying to keep the politics out of this - But something will be done before the next election.

[Yarrah]

If we do have to face Iran, we need to stop fooling around, stop worrying if the majority of the Arabs in the mid east will like us (most have been taught to hate us from day one, so we may NEVER be able to win over the hearts and minds

This is exactly what created these tensions. Sometimes it's best to take into account that there's a whole world out there with loads of different cultures and religions and that some of these cultures might not accept the presence of another, very different culture.

[Bellarose]

If we do have to face Iran, we need to stop fooling around, stop worrying if the majority of the Arabs in the mid east will like us (most have been taught to hate us from day one, so we may NEVER be able to win over the hearts and minds

This is exactly what created these tensions. Sometimes it's best to take into account that there's a whole world out there with loads of different cultures and religions and that some of these cultures might not accept the presence of another, very different culture.

Taking all of that into account, I keep coming back to the fact that these different cultures and religions want nothing more to destroy us. Derek's right....gloves off and do what we need to do. I have two children and one on the way. I'd like to know that they will still have our beautiful country to grow up in.

When did we become so PC when it comes to war? Don't answer that if it will turn into a political debate. I was mostly just wondering out loud.

[cycloneye]

Ok guys,let's keep this discussion about Iran this way and not stray into pure politics.Thank you.

[Bellarose]

No politcs from me....that's an ugly can of worms I am not interested in opening.

[Regit]

Taking all of that into account, I keep coming back to the fact that these different cultures and religions want nothing more to destroy us. Derek's right....gloves off and do what we need to do. I have two children and one on the way. I'd like to know that they will still have our beautiful country to grow up in.

When did we become so PC when it comes to war? Don't answer that if it will turn into a political debate. I was mostly just wondering out loud.

Iran does not now, nor will they within the decade, have the ability to destroy the United States.

[angelwing]

I'm not commenting as I can't keep my response non-political, so hushing up