tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post6952283253688746664..comments2024-03-28T13:46:08.524-05:00Comments on Every goddamn day: 03/28/24: Foes of Iran deal toeing Israel's lineNeil Steinberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-13139398364265766932015-09-08T13:47:08.841-05:002015-09-08T13:47:08.841-05:00Pakistan is busy harboring criminals from Afghan.Pakistan is busy harboring criminals from Afghan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-13435116207215811972015-09-07T17:18:31.601-05:002015-09-07T17:18:31.601-05:00If Islamist states are inherently irrational as yo...If Islamist states are inherently irrational as you say, why has the Islamic Republic of Pakistan not attacked India? Why have they not provided one of their many weapons to one of the various extremist terrorist groups operating within their border to carry out a proxy attack? <br /><br />Iran can look to its East and see the example of Pakistan: acquisition of nuclear weapons earned them a place at the bargaining table. In spite of harboring some of the most feared terrorist factions in the world, after 9/11 the option of invasion was never even seriously considered. Iran can look to its West, to Iraq, and see how the scenario played out with a nation that did not have a deterrent. Concluding that it is better to have the weapons and not use them than to need them and not have them seems pretty rational to me.<br /><br />At a minimum, by pursuing an enrichment program they have a bargaining chip.Encyclicalhttps://www.google.com/maps/place/Middle+East/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x157ec4658142ffb7:0xa5b8320215ea72c?sa=X&ved=0CCcQ8gEwA2oVChMIz4ihyvnlxwIVED6ICh3i_wuznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-34534116640697052672015-09-07T14:57:30.572-05:002015-09-07T14:57:30.572-05:00https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc
Watch t...https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc<br /><br />Watch this, please. <br />Nikki Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-68378739939826311212015-09-07T14:46:08.497-05:002015-09-07T14:46:08.497-05:00So you're going to stick with "I got noth...So you're going to stick with "I got nothin' but what you say refutes itsslf." Why not "I know you are, but what am i?" If you don't want to debate a point of view other than sayiny "you're wrong", why bother writing in the first place? Like I said. Lazy analysis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-1923726678171921622015-09-07T10:26:41.109-05:002015-09-07T10:26:41.109-05:00Certain things are their own refutation. And given...Certain things are their own refutation. And given that I haven't mentioned Dick Cheney in a column or blog in, geez, years, you have to wonder what he's reacting to. The voices in his head, I suppose. Standard GOP Defense AO1: if you can't react to what's said, act to what wasn't said.Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-72423669165773345172015-09-07T10:08:20.847-05:002015-09-07T10:08:20.847-05:00If you're going to rant, at least slow down en...If you're going to rant, at least slow down enough to check your spelling and syntax so it can be a bit intelligible. Nikki Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-83282174983595292122015-09-07T09:48:22.859-05:002015-09-07T09:48:22.859-05:00Neil, they are going through the process to lift t...Neil, they are going through the process to lift the sanctions, get a lot of money to pursue their terror policies and build nuclear weapons that will allow it to resist pressure from the outside world. Plus they can continue to oppress it's people as well as use a weapon against Israel. It's a great option for them. They reenter the world of legitimate nations on their terms and without any restraints. The only reason the sanctions are on track to going away is Obama wants them gone. Great negotiating. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-67668837735093619002015-09-07T09:15:06.897-05:002015-09-07T09:15:06.897-05:00George Bush and Dick Cheney? Do you ever not blam...George Bush and Dick Cheney? Do you ever not blame this guys for something? They must have been very effective because they have four terms and Obama none. According to you, Obama is a hapless video tim of Bush a d incapable of anything . When Bush went I to Iraq, you guys accused him of failed policies a d creating a humanitarian disaster because so many Iraqi civiloans died in that conflict. Obama pulls out troops.that result in more deaths in Syria and Iraq,wading to increased terrorism and a potential destabilization of Europe and Bush is responsible for that? Bush took responsibility for his actions and changed policies when they went wrong, fired his defense secretary and took on the surge, that beat back Sunni insurgency and brought a measure of peace to Iraq. Obama pulls out the troops, letting the Shia purge Sunni from the Iraqi army, leading to the IS. Obama predicted that it woukd even get better in Iraq from the pullout. Everything Obama said would turn out better from his policies have turned out worse. Please be specific in identifying how Obama"s policies in the Middde East have come out the way he lredicted. George Bush and Dick Cheney are NOT acceptable answers. That shows a re shallowness of analysis. Bush inherited a world from Clinton and he took responsibility for how his policies affected the world. Hold President Obama to the same standard. I'm using facts and analysis to come to these opinioms. You are simply basing your opinion on partisanship. I have not seen any evidence of any real analysis of the impacts of the president's policies on the current world, Neil included. It's lazy to just say "Republican partisanship" and "Bush and Cheney" and "Obama brilliant". That says absolute nothing of value. I look forward to your critical analysis of the current state of the world and the impacts of the Obama foreign policy on the Middle East and Europe that does not use these three terms. Smirks and hooting will not be accepted as critical analysi.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-25437308781690613282015-09-06T20:23:17.836-05:002015-09-06T20:23:17.836-05:00Anon at 7:20- You need to point the fingers to the...Anon at 7:20- You need to point the fingers to the originators of some of those problems. Your pals Bush Jr. and Cheney.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-4554524910185392412015-09-06T20:13:03.505-05:002015-09-06T20:13:03.505-05:00http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/scott-wa...http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/scott-walker-meet-noam-chomsky-heres-real-iran-history-republicans-need-learn?sc=fbsanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-26009711037259103382015-09-06T19:20:11.626-05:002015-09-06T19:20:11.626-05:00I have not served in the military and my kids will...I have not served in the military and my kids will be the ones to to face the consequences of the oresident's actions. I look at his policies and decisions and look at the consequences of them. Iraq pullout after the Bush aurge gave a beginningnof stability Rise of the Islamic State and and the Syrian Civil War. Humanitarian disaster that is leading to a refugee crisis in Europe. Rise of terror and the killing of Christianity in the Middle East. Leading from behind in Libya. Growth of terrorism and a real societal vacuum being filled by terrorists. Death of our Libyan ambassador and three others in an attack on our consulate and consulate annex. Not holding on the red line on use of chemical weapons in Syria. Loss of credibility in the region because they know the president will be counted on to cave and not follow through. In each of these cases, our enemies know the president will not follow-through on red lines. In every case, there is evidence that the president's judgment is poor and that he will cave to adversaries and undermine friends. If that is Republican reasoning, I'm guilty. I like to look at actual records and evidence and anticipate what will happen as a result of decisions. I see only bad coming out of this because the president is a weak negotiator who will not follow theough. What have you got on your side? The Russians.and Chinese think it's good? Great. We're in for some bad conflicts that were avoidable without war. Now we're stuck. I know you'll disagree, but in every event I discussed above, I saw the consequences coming. I hate to see it, bit the president has put Israel and is in a great bind. What have you guys got? "Oh, you sound like a Republican" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-13313258878212862602015-09-06T19:05:18.375-05:002015-09-06T19:05:18.375-05:00Over the top, Scribe. We might have propped him up...Over the top, Scribe. We might have propped him up, but he was of their own doing. We have a great influence on world events, but we don't control them. Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-46266539132208307572015-09-06T16:01:39.428-05:002015-09-06T16:01:39.428-05:00Very true, Steverino. When some others have said t...Very true, Steverino. When some others have said this, they are called Islamaphobes, but that is not the case.Entitynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-46700096050989665812015-09-06T15:04:06.859-05:002015-09-06T15:04:06.859-05:00M.A.D. works as a deterrent only if the actors are...M.A.D. works as a deterrent only if the actors are rational. That doesn't exist here. Islamic terrorists have developed a culture of death and martyrdom. Plus Islamic leaders haven't shown more than a particle of concern for their people, and would readily lose millions of them if in the process they can wipe out Israel, the loathed Zionist entitySteverinonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-42929768932449893272015-09-06T12:42:49.177-05:002015-09-06T12:42:49.177-05:00Russia and China are part of the deal and they are...Russia and China are part of the deal and they are not remotely our "most important allies." That said I think the deal is the best we can get right now even though I do not expect Iran to live up to its terms. I do not blame Netanyahu for his views given Israel is not much bigger than the Chicago metro area and surrounded by those who wish to kill Jews (including Egypt and Jordan).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07680520746040092614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-56879563422705186942015-09-06T12:33:57.584-05:002015-09-06T12:33:57.584-05:00So far the threat of retaliation in kind has kept ...So far the threat of retaliation in kind has kept all but one country from using its nuclear weapons. <br /><br />We've seen a similar scenario play out before, when Pakistan developed its own nuclear weapons, apparently in response to next-door neighbor and longtime nemesis India developing them first. There's certainly no shortage of animosity between those two parties, and yet to date neither have initiated a suicidal nuclear exchange, presumably because people want to live. And Pakistan apparently got what it wanted: deterrence and a superior bargaining position. Not an ideal situation, but not quite apocalyptic either. <br /><br />If we're worried about a "cargo container" scenario where the attack is not claimed by a state, we should be worried about rogue states or well-financed terrorist organizations <strong>purchasing</strong> the means to carry them out. The whole point of a state developing its own nuclear program is so they can tell the world they have them. There is no deterrent effect, no bargaining advantage, to having them and keeping it secret. Indeed, we've seen with North Korea that they appear to be bluffing about their capabilities in order to improve their bargaining position; it actually makes more sense to not have them and say you do than to have them and claim you don't.Encyclicalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_with_nuclear_weaponsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-81543884869129867322015-09-06T12:10:17.545-05:002015-09-06T12:10:17.545-05:00General Colin Powell, a man who would have made a ...General Colin Powell, a man who would have made a good President, even if a Republican one, made a thoughtful case in support of the Iran agreement on one of the Sunday morning talk shows. He said, and I concur, that it is in the long run interest of Israel, which will remain for many years, the only nuclear power in the middle east.<br /><br />Of interest is the question of how the Israelis will proceed post-deal. Trying to undermine it using the instrument of American presidential politics, will, I would think, further call into question the loyalty of American Jews and more deeply undercut their long term political influence. A sensible course would be to instead use the argument that many uncertainties remain requiring Israel to further shore up its defenses in order to extract further billions and technical military assistance from the American Congress.<br /><br />Tom EvansAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-481507733980013042015-09-06T11:51:40.848-05:002015-09-06T11:51:40.848-05:00Considering what America has done to Iran--inflict...Considering what America has done to Iran--inflicting the murderous Shah on that nation and sparking an even more murderous backlash--our moral credibility there is approximately zero.Bitter Scribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04645909858616987997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-83163909624540123332015-09-06T11:02:39.295-05:002015-09-06T11:02:39.295-05:00"it's perilous when Jews nominate themsel..."it's perilous when Jews nominate themselves as defacto agents of Israel and try to undermine U.S. policy."<br /><br />Excellent point, Mr. Steinberg. There are also some American Jews that won't fight in the U.S. military yet go off to serve in the Israeli one. That is not right.Subscribernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-76031787298337017252015-09-06T10:58:14.265-05:002015-09-06T10:58:14.265-05:00Good point, Sanford.Good point, Sanford.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-7135574488026268492015-09-06T10:57:12.761-05:002015-09-06T10:57:12.761-05:00Anon at 10:15-spoken like a true Republican and yo...Anon at 10:15-spoken like a true Republican and your arguments on the President are inaccurate. Never ending wars there are not the answer. Perhaps you can send some of your offspring to enlist. Have you served in the military??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-84852443652538009562015-09-06T10:47:22.471-05:002015-09-06T10:47:22.471-05:00Talk is really cheap. I wish I could find it agai...Talk is really cheap. I wish I could find it again but i just saw a list of countries that have attacked another country. And there were a lot. Guess which country has not attacked another country. I think it was Steven King from Iowa who said no deal is better than this deal. That is just ridiculous. I would be more worried about North Korea doing something because that government is just nuts. Iran would would be wiped off the face of the earth if they tried using a nuclear weapon against Israel Who by the way has the atomic bomb. You may be right that they would use to millions of dollars to spread terrrorism. Of course the Saudis do that and the doesn't seem to worry any body. And lets not forget the 9/11 hijackers were mainly Saudis.sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-60474054343309535172015-09-06T10:15:06.526-05:002015-09-06T10:15:06.526-05:00I firmly believe that Iran will use a lot of the $...I firmly believe that Iran will use a lot of the $150 billion dollars to fund terrorist organizations in the Middle East to destabilize it even more. The humanitarian crisis that we see from Obama's pullout from an Iraq, while imperfect, was at least somewhat stabilizong, that led to the rise of the Islamic State and the Syrian Civil War, the collapse of Libya will get even bigger. The refugees entering Europe? Look for more of that and the attendant new pressures from Islamist in Europe. I firmly believe that Iran will use nuclear weapons against Israel. I think there's a "good chance" that they will test the weapon over Tel Aviv. Why do I believe this? The Iranian government keeps saying their goal is to destroy Israel. I will take them at their word. They have never been about the balance of terror and always about the terror. Obama is giving the the tools to do that. Obama's policies have led to more deaths, more humanitarian cises, and the expansion of a destabilized world. I don't worry about seeming too supportive of Israel. If you're worried about the "appearances" of being Jewish and supporting Israel, that's fine. I'd just worry about the consequences of policies that have the appearance of "caring", but simply lead to more death. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-43731735552190643892015-09-06T09:04:03.089-05:002015-09-06T09:04:03.089-05:00Zealots of any stripe have no credibility in this ...Zealots of any stripe have no credibility in this discussion. Israel is right, no matter what , is a zealot's position. Iran has advanced its nuclear program despite sanctions. That is a fact. Talking with Iran is the better strategy. Iran wanted a place at the table. Giving them one is the only way to insure that the nuclear threat is minimized. mhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16147074608760313553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3972382144120426476.post-69102110383087861832015-09-06T09:00:32.309-05:002015-09-06T09:00:32.309-05:00No argument here. And I'm not even saying that...No argument here. And I'm not even saying that Israel is not necessarily right and won't have to bomb the shit out of Iran at some point. It certainly acted independently in 1967, ignoring LBJ urging it to sit tight. The point of the column -- and I guess I failed if I have to re-state it -- is it's perilous when Jews nominate themselves as defacto agents of Israel and try to undermine U.S. policy. You're taking it to the extreme, of course -- kudos for not mentioning the Holocaust. Neil Steinberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468057838260476480noreply@blogger.com