Six leading world powers are meeting in London today to discuss the possibility of imposing tougher sanctions on Iran, but does Iran care? Nope. Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced yesterday that 'Tehran's nuclear program is unstoppable and as an exclamation point, Iran fired a rocket into space.
The rocket 'soared to the edge of space was intended for research', according to Iran. Just what 'research' that would be still needs explaining.
Iran initially announced that it had launched a "space rocket" on Sunday. But the deputy head of Iran's Space Research Center, Ali Akbar Golrou, later in the day clarified that the rocket did not reach orbit level and was carrying a research package.He said the rocket was built to soar to a maximum altitude of 93 miles. Space is considered to begin at 60 miles. Ham radio satellites - the lowest flying satellites - orbit between 100-300 miles, while communication, weather and global-positioning satellites fly between 250-12,000 miles up. (Forbes)
As usual, the United States wants 'measures that will bite into the Iranian economy, but Russia and China are more reluctant to impose such severe sanctions.' Vice President Cheney said all options were still on the table, while the French say we don't really mean it.
Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad described Iran's nuclear program as unstoppable, comparing it to a train with "no break and no reverse gear."U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice replied to the hard-line Iranian president's comments within hours. She took up the image suggested by Ahmadinejad of a machine running out of control.
"They don't need a reverse gear, they need a stop button," Rice said. "They need to stop enriching and reprocessing [uranium], and then we can sit down and talk about whatever is on Iran's mind." (Radio Free Europe)
Is it just me, or is Condi Rice sounding a little weak these days? Iran is going full steam ahead on their nuclear program, more like a bullet train, and the world seems to be standing up against Iran like a, well, wet noodle. Israel on the other hand seems to be making plans to attack Iran.
Israel denied reports that it asked the United States for permission to overfly Iraq during any attack on Iran’s nuclear sites. Maybe.
Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper on Saturday quoted an unnamed Israeli defense official as saying that Jerusalem is in talks with Washington over creating a safe “air corridor” for the eventuality of Israeli bombing runs against Iranian targets.The report was denied by Israeli Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh, who suggested that it was concocted by Western nations keen to avoid the measures necessary for reining in Iran’s nuclear program through diplomacy. (JTA)
Oh, snap! Now that's a slap at the West and perhaps a well deserved slap. If I had to put money down, I would bet on Israel taking action before I would the United States. Our politicians can't get together and agree on anything these days. Their heads would probably explode if President George W. Bush ordered a military take down of Iran's nuclear sites. Somehow I think a majority of Israelis would be united on such action.
WND says, "Iran is anticipating a U.S. or Israeli military strike on its nuclear facilities and has been providing Palestinian terrorists and other regional allies with contingency plans for attacks against the Jewish state and American regional interests in the event of war, according to Palestinian terrorist leaders." If true, and I have no doubt that it isn't, this is something we should be preparing for.
"The Zionists and the Americans are coordinated 100 percent. It doesn't matter who attacks Iran, we are planning to hit them both," said the Islamic Jihad leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he said the topic was "very sensitive." [snip]The Brigades is the declared military wing of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Party. [snip]
"We are preparing the tomb that Allah is digging for the Zionists and Americans," said the Committees leader.
The bottom line is it doesn't matter whether Israel or America takes out Iran's nuclear sites, both will be blamed, both will be targeted, but Israel will receive the worst reaction.
Other reading:
Jew Killed At Prayer; The World Is Silent, The American Israeli Patriot
Sacremento Op-Ed Slams CAMERA-But Omits Tons of Facts, Yid With Lid
123Beta, Muslims Killing Muslims
WomenS Loss of ModestY, Woman Honor Thyself
Do you really think that a men that flogs themselves equates to a formidable, effecting fighting force? No amount of AKs can adequately ward off a squadron of F-15s or F-16s loaded with JDAMs. Further more religious zeal only goes so far before a man realizes that he is going to die if he continues to fight a losing battle. I give the militant Muslim who is committed his props, good on ya’ buddy, enjoy your martyrdom but most humans will turn and run when they know their efforts will bear no fruit. I do think that Israel will be the one to do it. But I don’t believe that there will be waves of Shia men invading any country. Flogging is one thing but intestinal fortitude is not a good match against a JDAM, F-15s, or F-16s. Muj I do think that you did make a good point with the flogging. I have seen it in Iraq and it is not pretty.
Posted by: TACK | February 28, 2007 at 03:36 PM
Man you guys don't get it. It doesn't matter how many peopled died, Hezbullah is alive. Israel didn't defeat them.
If Israel goes after Iran, they'd be committing suicide.
If millions of shia Muslims can beat themselves with swords and soak streets from Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon with there own blood for Imam Hussain who died 100s of years go, what do you think they will do Israel who attacks the Shia Islamic State of Iran?
BTW, i'm Sunni.
Posted by: Mujahideen Ryder | February 27, 2007 at 11:41 PM
israel will do the dirty deed because no other country has the nads for it.
the rest of the world will look down their noses at her, and there will be no thanks whatsoever.
in my heart, i will be thanking G-d for choosing them as the pupil of his eye.
Posted by: nanc | February 27, 2007 at 11:54 AM
I am intrigued by the responses here, especially the previous three. Before I address that, let me say that most sane people I know hope that no one, and I mean "no one" will end up "taking out" Iran's nuclear sites. That is a conflagration just waiting to happen (unlike anything we have ever known, IMO). Despite the saber-rattling bravado of many arm chair Internet warriors, diplomacy still has a role in resolving some of the world's conflicts. And you damn well better hope that it plays a role now.
To Butch: Yes, somebody needs to do something.
To Ryder: "Another" ass whooping for Israel? Really, and when did Israel gets it ass whooped last you anti-Israel "puffer?"
To Angel: Israel will "save the free world?"
The U.S. is a government "of, for and by the people." But I'm so glad that some of the "normal" folks out in Internet land don't make any of our country's diplomatic or strategic decisions.
Posted by: Stormwarning | February 27, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Israel will save the free world and no one will thank her..thats my prediction Deb!.:)
Posted by: Angel | February 27, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Israel is gunna get ANOTHER ass whooping...
Posted by: Mujahideen Ryder | February 27, 2007 at 07:58 AM
Somebody needs to do something soon...
Posted by: Butch | February 26, 2007 at 07:10 PM
A difference between Israel and the US. is I think most in Israel believe that they are in a fight to the death with Islam.
In the US I think many if not a majority don't see it this way. In the first place we refuse to identify the enemy, Islam. In the second place we really don't believe that Islam wants to wipe us out or at least subjugate us and destroy our freedoms and all we hold dear.
Israel will strike the first blow because they know their very lives depend on it.
It will be very ugly.
It will be even uglier if we wimp out and don't stand by them when it happens.
Posted by: Thomas Hamilton | February 26, 2007 at 05:06 PM