Syria, N Korea, and Iran Pt 2

U.S. intelligence agencies have publicly presented their finding that Syria was building a secret nuclear reactor with help from North Korea. The reactor complex, which could have produced the material for nuclear weapons, was attacked in September by the Israeli Air Force. After the site was bombed, Syria itself destroyed what was left. White House press secretary Dana Perino said that "This cover-up only served to reinforce our confidence that this reactor was not intended for peaceful purposes." When Israel bombed the Syrian nuclear site, the U.S. remained studiously silent about the attack. U.S. President George Bush said that caution dictated keeping quiet. "We were concerned," he said, "that an early disclosure would increase the risk of a confrontation in the Middle East." Why, then, did the United States finally, nearly eight months later, provide an extensive briefing on the Syrian facility? President Bush said that he wanted to send a message both to North Korea and Iran.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Syria
• Korea
• Iran
• Nuclear
• Proliferation
• Middle
• East
• Rouge
• States
• commentary
• analysis