July 23, 2008
The Prospect Of A Nuclear Iran
Close-Up On Iran's Relationship With Its Neighbors - And What That Means For The Mideast's Future
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Play CBS Video Video Prospect Of A Nuclear Iran During his visit to Israel, Barack Obama defended his proposal to negotiate with Iran using "big sticks and big carrots." Katie Couric reports.
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(CBS/ AP)
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Fast Facts Iran Learn about the people, economy and history.
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Timeline The U.S. And Iran Key events in once friendly, now contentious relationship between Washington and Tehran.
It was the shot heard throughout the Middle East - Iran flexing its military muscle with a series of missile tests signaling to its neighbors and the West that it's not backing down in its quest to become a nuclear nation, Couric reports.
Experts warn Iran may be as close as a year away from having enough enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon. A constant target of Iran's aggressive rhetoric and threats, Israel knows time is running out.
Ephraim Halevy was the head of MOSSAD, Israel's intelligence agency.
"Is Israel willing to strike militarily if these diplomatic efforts fail?" Couric asked Halevy.
"I think it's important that the Iranians believe this is a possibility," he said. "I think it's extremely important that the credibility of Israel's capabilities should be on the table for Iranians to feel and see. If Israel's back is to the wall... Israel is not going to sit back and just receive whatever it is the Iranians are going to attack with, concerning Israel."
For Israel, keeping weapons from its neighbors is nothing new. In 1981 Israeli forces targeted and successfully bombed Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor Osirak. And in September of 2007, they launched a pre-emptive strike on a suspected nuclear facility in northern Syria.
But Iran has learned from its neighbors' mistakes. Experts say they've developed underground enrichment facilities that are spread out and well hidden - raising questions about the possible success of a conventional strike.
The fear of Iran's increased nuclear capabilities has prompted the United States to radically switch gears and, for the first time in 30 years, actually sit at the same table with European and Iranian representatives.
Some view this as a major concession to what many consider a rogue government; others see it as the only way forward.
"So you approve of this switch from isolating Iran to engaging the country?" Couric asked Halevy.
"I believe one has to open up a channel of dialogue with Iran for one of two reasons: Either in order to exhaust the possibility of a diplomatic solution or because I believe that this is an essential prerequisite before going to war," he said.
For the people of Israel, hostile neighbors come with the territory. It has become part of the national psyche - one that understands the need to be pre-emptive.
Two years ago northern Israel became a major target in the Lebanon War, where for one month, Hezbollah rockets rained down on the port city of Haifa.
"It was the first time in our history that this city was under attack," said Haifa mayor Yona Yahav. "A hundred rockets hit the residential area. I was ... so shocked that here, if this is going to continue this way, the whole city is going to be killed."
Mira Carasenti, a resident of Haifa, will never forget that morning.
"The rocket came through from there," Carasenti said, pointing. "From the third floor straight to our floor, to our house."
Yet the Carasentis were fortunate because their enemy only had a crude Katyusha rocket. What they fear now is an enemy that may be only months away from having the most dangerous weapon of all.
"With all the reality here - in Haifa and Israel - I think what will happen; we are here; we are very strong nation," Carasenti said.
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See all 39 CommentsReuters uk January 18, 2008 : " Iran has some awesome colleagues. Russia and China have become guardians of the Iranian economy. They don%u2019t put religion between business and political advantages. The US is sorely lacking in intelligent Foreign Policy. Hitler%u2019s Foreign Policy has been resurrected to serve the needs of an oil agenda and turn the US into the most disrespected and despised world power ".
POSTED: Friday, January 18, 2008
Moscow -- Armed forces will be used if necessary, including preventively and with the use of nuclear weapons, for protection of Russia and its allies, the Russian Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky said on Saturday.
"We do not intend to attack anybody. But all our partners must realize that for protection of Russia and its allies if necessary armed forces will be used, including preventively, including with the use of nuclear weapons," Baluyevsky was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.
Baluyevsky reportedly made the statement at a scientific conference of the Academy of Military Sciences January 19, 2008.
Sure - because you said so.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
What''s the matter ? Did the little monkey say something he regrets now, so he has his minions trying to double talk us into believing he never said it.
Then explain this, pig breath...
Washingtonpost.com/ World Leaders Condemn Iranian''s Call to Wipe Israel ''Off the Map''
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/27/AR2005102702221.html
This also brings to mind CNN taking "Iran has a right to nuclear energy" and translating it as "Iran has a right to nuclear weapons". They were forced to apologise, but this BS is part of a larger pattern.
Of the three members of the so-called axis of evil, which one got invaded? The one that was the furthest away from ever getting nukes.
When Israel declares their 100+ nukes to the International Atomic Energy Agency (which Iran is a member of) I will take their proclamations seriously.
So Do any of you liberal types know that we give 300 million to the Palestinians every year, and they still CELEBRATE 9/11.
I say cut all carrots from the Middle East. Let the Muslims take care of their own, unless they decide to become considerably more friendly.
But, Obama - he''ll give away the farm.
Dems would have done better nominating
"Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear arms probe" reuters
They are building nuclear arms..have no doubt on that.
The question remain: Now that Iran have flatly told UN that they will not cooperate and will continue developing....what''s the UN EU US and Israel to do?
Dont say nothing...this lunatic cannot possess the weapons..and Russia is threatening us...because they are the ones financing together with China.
RUssia is thinking of sending nukes to Cuba in retaliation.... any takers?
Benny Morris Israeli historian said: Killing of Millions of Iranians by Israeli Nuke is justified. Should we set example and require Israel to eliminate her nuclear bombs?
President Truman said: "Starting an atomic war is totally unthinkable for rational men." [Truman, public Papers].
Time for peace. Time to throw out the old and bring in the new.
Dr Paul was right on these issues and America would do will to read his writing''s before the elections before another Neo Con at the helm.
Posted by kiumars55
Which of course would include the Jews and Zionist whose roots are from Judea and Zion before the 7th century invasion and occupation of these lands by the armies from Medina.....
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Posted by kretos_d at 01:57 AM : Jul 24, 2008
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I agree with you 100%. This stupidity MUST stop. We, the people, have the power to stop this before it gets too far and we are all put into concentration camps. This is what they are planning. There are over 500 FEMA internment camps throughout the USA now. If we don''t put a stop to this now it will be too late.
Why Israel''s nuclear facilities are not open for inspection by UN? Another western hypocrasy.
And it is a lie which keeps repeated by western media that Iran''s president has said we will wipe Israel from the face of the earth which you translate as wanting to attack Israel with nuclear weapons. He meant to say sooner or later there sould be a fair referundom in the occupied land involving only the people who had roots there before the occupation to decide what type of country and government they want. If the election is fair, a country with the name of Israel will no longer be on the world map, like yugoslavia. That''s what he meant.
Taken in this context, and presenting only a small degree of empathy to the question, Israel cannot be expected to sit by on its thumbs while Iran proceeds along those stated lines to that stated goal.
Posted by sincityq at 06:28 AM : Jul 24, 2008
But that''s exactly the point: Israel already wiped out historical Palestine out of the map and are now wanting to build another Jewish settlement in the West Bank despite past agreements to not do so.
Over 40% of the land that existing Jewish settlements are built on in the West Bank are on Palestinian private property.
This on top of the 10% of the West Bank that has been taken to increase the size of Jerusalem, and then argue that none of it should be divided.
So Palestinians and their supporters are within their rights to express their desire to do to Israel what Israel has actually done with Palestine.
That''s all there''s to it. No need to get melodramatic just because people get pissed at Israel''s atrocities and crimes and excuse Israel''s nuclear arsenal.
"Israel is the only country in the Middle East to have nuclear weapons".
Israel has never tested nuclear weapons so how do you know they have them? How does ANYONE know they have them?
Even if Israel has built nuclear devices, the Israelis THEMSELVES cannot know if they have nuclear bombs until they`ve tested at least one of them.
Pakistan didn`t know if it had nuclear weapons without testing them and the first device they tested was a dud.
No comments at all? Y''all cool with that? Nobody at CBS has any problem with that?
Time to resign, Katie. I hear there''s a job going at Pravda.
But he didn''t use the words for Israel, Wipe, Off or Map, that''s for sure. But this lie has been repeated so often that it''s now taken on a life of it''s own.
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