A War of Words leads to nowhere Iran approach

[thebaskkid]

5:55, this woman is right.

[rants2004]

Mr Stephens, is more than welcome to go fuck himself. Warmonger piece of shit! How much does he get paid by the apartheid state of Israel to spew unadulterated excrement?

Zionist cunt.

[MagicKirin]

Fareed you an islamic apologist you see no danger in the intolerance as exhbited by regimes in Iran and others.

Hey if you thinks its so benign how come Turkey only damaged relations with Israel under an ignorant islamist PM?

[KiaNilou]

I love you Hillary!!!!

You go girl....the ugly zionist good was so mad at you that he was ready to beat you up like his bastard friends do to their women on Jerusalem buses!!!!!!

mer30!

[tippingpts]

why are there all these defenders of Iranian policy? This is the same country that is obviously trying to build up nuclear weapons and has made public statements about wiping Israel off the map. I understand that war should always be the last resort, but Iran is no fucking angel.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

I beg your pardon, but I have read the November 2011 IAEA report, previously and incorrectly quoted by Michele Bachmann in the Dec 15/11 Republican debate, where she asserted that "Iran is months away from developing nuclear weapon". I have also read independent analysis of what is known about Iran's nuclear capability and their alleged weapon's problem (I strongly emphasize the word alleged). I will summarize these point in multiple posts given the breadth of information.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

(A) In contrast to Michele Bachmann's statements, the IAEA does not identify any timeline whereby Iran could be capable of constructing a nuclear weapon. In fact, the Agency frankly admits there is no direct evidence of any kind to conclusively prove the existence of an Iranian nuclear weapons program. This statement is consistent with previous reports.

[MagicKirin]

@McGriff99

Of course the IAEA under that terrorist lover El Bareerdi gave cover tho the Iraninas

[McGriff99]

@MagicKirin

Riiiiiiiight. I see facts arent your strong suit. And who are the Iraninas? Is that a mexican thing?

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

(B) The only thing that HAS changed with respect to the Nov 2011 report is "growing concerns on behalf of the Agency RE: Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions". However this "concern" is NOT based on any new evidence, since the vast majority of "intelligence" implicating Iran in possible nuclear weapons development comes from 2003 and before. In fact, the Agency's view of Iran has changed sharply since the arrival of the new Director General Amano, whereas before it was more measured.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

(C) Of the activities that implicate Iran in nuclear weapons production (again, I use the term implicate loosely since many of these applications, as the IAEA concedes, can be used in power generation or medical applications), virtually all information on these activities come from the so-called "alleged studies" documents provided by the U.S. to the IAEA. The U.S. (at the request of both the IAEA and the Iranians) refuse to allow the Iranians to view these documents.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

(D) The alleged studies documents are a collection of supposed technical information, intelligence, financial records, travel records that implicate the Iranian government in activities related to weapons production. The U.S. will not disclose the source of these documents (i.e. where our government got them from). Its important to note that all the activities described in these documents take place from the 1970s-2003.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

(E) Several concerns (from outside of Iran) have been raised about the authenticity of the alleged studies documents, including the possibility of forgery. This concern is especially relevant given the recent history of faulty intelligence supplied by the U.S. (and informants working with U.S.), specifically the lack of WMD in Iraq 2001-2003 (and lets not forget the Gulf of Tonkin). The U.S. has refused repeated requests to supply the documents for international scrutiny.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

Conclusion (thank god):

There is really no direct evidence (at least none that can be fairly and openly scrutinized by everyone) that Iran is enriching uranium for weaponization, besides the fact that they continue to enrich uranium to higher grades. Personally, I believe its highly unlikely that they have not considered nuclear weapons production at some point since the 1970s but are probably using most of that uranium for civilian purposes.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

If Iran does produce a nuclear weapon, what then?

Its logical for them to want one, if only to act as a deterrent to Western interference in their domestic affairs, which has been occurring in some form or another since the 1950s (that we know about). Are they a match for Israel? Certainly not, in terms of both the nuclear arsenal they might produce AND the weapons technology needed to deliver a bomb successfully. Israel would wipe Iran off the map not the other way around.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

Is there another situation in recent world history thats similar to this? Yes, India and Pakistan. After the Indians secured a nuclear weapon, Pakistan was hellbent on getting one as well, to deter India from invading Pakistan and reclaiming territories lost during Partition. Most foreign policy analyst believe the next nuclear weapon will be detonated in India or Pakistan, but these countries have survived nuclear oblivion through increasing detente.

[stellerrocker9]

The US is a nation predator, it hides behind a thin veil called democracy. It's main produce and export is weapons and it flaunts it's wealth and power to manipulate world governments to control world resources. It has a history of disregarding human life and uses a corporate mainstream media propaganda machine to whip up the support required to carry out its actions. It's old school with new tools.

[DefendIranDemoc]

Except Bret Stephens who is unbiased and says the truth the rest, Homan Majd, Vali Nasr, and Hillary Mann Leverett are the IRI mercenaries, and are traitors to Iran and Iranians. Fareed Zakaria himself have been bought by the IRI regime during his last stay in Iran, so I am not surprised to see him make a panel discussion out of traitors to Iran whom he calls experts.

[gilgol30]

The people of Iran must fight against their fanatic regime

[bozkuhi]

Once again, non-Iranian experts on Iran, have a better handle on the issues, consequences and above all, the best steps forward.

[blackstars56]

Vali Nasr is a legend, well respected scholar

[halvepupose1]

you go girl!

[fongster62]

must be hard for the iranians to stay calm with that washington post guy. he is like a white obama cloon. the woman talks sense, though.

[jb4rp2012]

Mitt and that frothy mix both are chicken hawks... They would love to send your kids to die on behalf of their rich friends.

[RonaldR2007]

Zakaria is an Obama propagandist and a muslim Spy. His guests are the proof of what's wrong in America, 2 Muslim spies working on behalf of Iran but taking advantage of American freedom and a hysterical bitch, most probably an Iranian lobbyist. What a shame.

[HipHopIsUnderground]

@RonaldR2007 You are a sad case if you actually believe that crap. Did you not notice ALL FOUR at the table were critical of Obama's approach to Iran? That shreds your premise right there. Time to take off the tin foil hat.

[soleiman9]

i respect this lady, the white guy is so clueless he just repeats what hes been told...with no real back bone, i feel so sorry for him, just look at the level of confidence when she starts speaking......

RON PAUL 2012

[010whocares]

Shame on these two Iranian sell outs bastards they should have shut the Zionist bastard up ratter than letting him go on and on. thanks for the lady.

[RonaldR2007]

@010whocares Shame on you fanatical muslim POS, I hope you will take care of yourself using a bomb suppository like your peers do.

[guitarwiz420]

Ron Paul 2012

[thankyouallah33]

isra'hell and the united snaks of amerikkka is the cancer of the planet !!! GO IRAN RUSSIA CHINA NORTH KOREA SYRIA EGYPT PAKISTAN JORDAN IRAK VENEZUELA CUBA SUDAN NIJERIA AND MORE !!!!

[McGriff99]

Bret Stephens works for the Wall Street Journal and was the editor of the Jerusalem Post. As a result, it should be no surprise that he disregards the view of previous Mossad directors on military intervention in Iran. Pure propagandists. Period.

[tippingpts]

@McGriff99

And the two Iranians at the table would see things fair and balanced I presume.

[McGriff99]

@tippingpts

The fact that they are of Iranian descent is only relevant to the extent that it gives them a closer perspective into what's actually occurring in Iran. Both have lived their adult lives in the U.S. and Europe (in the case of Majd, he was raised outside of Iran since birth). Beyond that, I dont know why their ethnic background is relevant. Its very clear that neither of them support the current Iranian regime and both have records of promoting democracy in the Muslim world.