March 6th, 2012
12:12 AM ET

Iran: The waiting option

Editor's note: Anthony H. Cordesman holds the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Follow CSIS on Twitter @CSIS_org.

By Anthony H. Cordesman - Special to CNN

We may have to use force against Iran. It may provoke clashes or a conflict in the Gulf, or it may refuse any realistic diplomatic solution to its growing capabilities to produce nuclear weapons. If there is anything we should have learned from 10 years of two wars, however, it is that the cautions that senior officers like Admiral Mullen and General Dempsey have given about the risks of war are all too accurate. War is the perfect recipe for unpredictable and uncontrollable events, and the primary law of war is the law of unintended consequences.

We do not need another economic crisis triggered by the shock of a massive rise in oil prices or what in the worst case could be several weeks in which the Gulf could not export oil through the Strait of Hormuz. We do need a slow battle of attrition in the Gulf, and we need to be truly careful about what Iran might do if Israel or the U.S. launches a preventive attack.

Iran’s options are scarcely good for Iran. It would almost certainly end in escalating its way into even more trouble, but it could hurt us, our Arab allies, Israel, and the world economy a great deal in the process. Consider the following list of options:

In broad terms, Iran’s choices include:

- Withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and increase its long-term resolve to develop a nuclear deterrent program.

- Create an all-out nuclear weapons program with its surviving equipment and technology base, using Israel’s strike and aggression as an excuse to openly pursue a nuclear program.

- Shift to genetically engineered biological weapons if such a program does not already exist.

- Immediate retaliation using its ballistic missiles on Israel. Multiple launches of Shahab-3 including the possibility of CBR warheads against Tel Aviv, Israeli military and civilian centers, and Israeli suspected nuclear weapons sites.

- Accuse the U.S. of “green lighting” the Israeli strike, and being the real cause of the attacks.

- Launch political attacks on Arab regimes friendly to the U.S. on the grounds they did noting to prevent an attack on Israel’s greatest enemy.

- Use allied or “proxy” groups such as Hezbollah or Hamas to attack Israel proper with suicide bombings, covert chemical/biological/radiation attacks, and rocket attacks from southern Lebanon.

- Launch asymmetric attacks against American interests and allies in the Arabian Gulf.

- Target U.S. and Western shipping in the Gulf, and possibly attempt to interrupt the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

- Attack U.S. forces, ships, or facilities in the Gulf or anywhere in the world as a way of showing that Iran could attack the “great Satan” and Israel ‘s closest ally.

- Strike at Israeli or Jewish targets anywhere in the world using Iranian agents or anti-Israeli-proxies.

- Try to use the U.N. and/or World Court to attack Israel for aggression and war crimes.

- Transfer high technology small air-to-surface and guided anti-armor weapons to Hamas, Hezbollah, or other extreme anti-Israeli groups. Provide them with more lethal rockets, unmanned combat air vehicles, and chemical weapons.

- Seek to use its leverage with Iraq, Syria, and Hezbollah to create an actual “Shi’ite crescent” to create a more intense range of threats to Israel.

· Try to use the transfer of funds and arms, its Ministry of Intelligence and Security, and other covert means to influence the new regimes coming out of unrests in the Arab world to be far more aggressively anti-Israel.

At the same time, the risks and pressures that could lead to the use of force are growing. U.S. and Iranian competition over Iran’s nuclear programs has spilled over into the entire Middle East, and the world, and is nearing the crisis point. Given the importance of the Gulf in global energy security, Iran’s goals of becoming a regional power, and socio-political instability in the Middle East, military competition between the U.S. and Iran will either force some form of negotiation or continue to intensify to the point where some form of conflict becomes more and more likely.

If it does, there are no good options. The choice moves toward preventive strikes of kind where the consequences are at best unpredictable, or containment and living what could be a steadily growing regional nuclear arms race.

As has just been discussed, a preventive attack could push Iran towards negotiations, but it could push it into a major new acceleration of its nuclear programs and the ongoing regional nuclear arms race and/or towards asymmetric warfare in the Gulf or against Israel.

Such a nuclear race might lead to the creation of some form of military containment that create a successful mix of deterrence and defense on the part of all the nations involved, but it might equally lead to Iran and Israel targeting their respective populations at a potentially catastrophic level and it would inevitably involve the U.S. and Arab states in an ongoing race to find suitable forms of defense, deterrence, and containment.

A failed preventive attack would almost certainly lead Iran to be far more aggressive. A partially successful Israeli attack might do little better. A truly successful preventive attack would have to be carried out by the U.S. At least briefly, it would have to be a major air and missile war, and it would probably have to be followed by years of constant patrolling, threats to use force, and occasional re-strikes.

If not, even a relatively successful preventive strike could be a temporary solution at best. The current level of maturity in Iran’s program nearly guarantees that Iran could rebuild its program without such a military overwatch and the willingness to use additional force. Moreover, without such follow up, a strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure might provide the Iranian regime with a justification to pursue nuclear weapons, and drive the program deeper underground.

The best, lasting solution to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs is some form of negotiated political solution, and one driven by compromise and a “carrot and stick” approach. Such an approach would consist of offering Iran economic and other incentives to shelve its nuclear program, not simply penalizing it for continuing efforts at weaponization and refusing to comply with the IAEA.

The risk is all too obvious, however, that the present situation will remain intractable. Negotiations between the U.S., Iran, and other states during the last decade have collapsed time and again due to the refusal of both sides to accept the basic demands of the other.

Furthermore, the historical tension between the U.S. and Iran, as well as an Iranian foreign policy and military doctrine that are centered on neutralizing U.S. conventional power in the region, make it unlikely that Iran will give up the added deterrence, perceived increase in regional influence, and ability to intimidate that only a nuclear break out capability or deployed nuclear force can provide.

Iran is all too likely to continue to develop its ballistic missile program as both a weapon of intimidation, and a means to deliver a nuclear warhead should Iran successfully miniaturize a nuclear device. Given the range of Iran’s ballistic missiles, U.S. installations in the Gulf, U.S. allies in the Middle East, and much of southeast Europe will then be in range of an Iranian nuclear missile.

Grim and uncertain as the prospect is, the U.S. must then consult with its Arab Gulf and European allies, and seriously consider preventive attacks. It should seek to keep Israel out of the equation simply because of the tension any Israeli role would create in terms of Arab reaction and its impact on Islamic extremism and terrorism.

The alternative is containment, and this means key U.S. allies, the flow of world energy exports, and the .U.S and global economies to live under the growing shadow of an Israeli-Iranian nuclear arms race. Moreover, an arms race where the forces involved ensure that the primary targets will be the other country’s population centers.

Accepting the risk of containment requires a belief in Iran’s restraint, in mutual deterrence based on a new regional form of mutual assured destruction, and accepting the risk other nations will join the race. It means accepting the risk of some miscalculation or accident triggering a disaster with massive humanitarian and economic costs.

Accepting the risk also means the U.S. must do everything possible to provide its Arab allies, Turkey, and Europe with missile defenses and to improve Israel’s missile defenses. It means making good on the U.S. offer of extended deterrence to protect other states - potentially dragging the U.S. into at least the periphery of a regional nuclear arms race and potential nuclear conflict. It also means living with the near certainty of tying the continuing asymmetric arms race in the Gulf, and the constant risk of clashes or more serious conflicts, to the risk of the linkage between Iran’s use of asymmetric warfare and future acquisition of nuclear forces.

This is why the best current option is a “waiting option” that relies on diplomacy, sanctions, and the offer of incentives. It too is filled with risks that will increase on both a short- and long-term basis. It is, however, currently the least bad of a range of bad options, and it does give time sanction to work, dialogue to have an impact, and for the Iranian regime to change its position.

The prospects of such a change really altering Iran’s actions and ambitions is all too uncertain - and many of the claims the regime is fragile and easy to change seem a triumph of hope and ideology over common sense. Yet, successful negotiations, containment and waiting do seem to be far better than talking about war as if it had predictable and safe results.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of Anthony H. Cordesman.

Post by:
Topics: Iran • Israel • Middle East • Military • United States

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soundoff (509 Responses)
  1. georg

    http://www.stopwairan.com

    March 6, 2012 at 1:14 am | Reply
    • j. von hettlingen

      No doubt, the "waiting option" is a better choice than a pre-emptive strike. The question is whether Netanyahu and his defense minister Ehud Barak have the patience to wait. They argue, it could be too late in a few months time, as Iran technically would be in a much better position to build nuclear bombs. Also they believe Obama is tied to the elections and can't do much but endorse their action, if they would strike now. Indeed Israel would lose more politically – international condemnation -, if it attacked Iran, not to mention Iran's choices that the author has mentioned.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:59 am | Reply
      • BB

        "No doubt that the waiting option is a better choice" ?????? No doubt ???? Are you betting on an Iranian leadership to do the right thing??? Is there some basis to have faith in our incompetent leaders? and you have "No Doubt" ???
        Please send me the contact info for your drug dealer. I want to visit this alternate universe.

        March 6, 2012 at 10:46 am |
      • Chris, Austin

        BB – I love how you consider our leaders too incompetent to negotiate anything, but you think they're competent enough to touch off a war that will ultimately affect every country on Earth, and have the outcome somehow be better than the current status quo.

        The idea behind the current sanctions regime is to crush the Iranian economy. It doesn't take a genius to hold a gun to someone's head. It does, however, take someone pretty dumb to start a fight with someone who is already choking to death.

        March 6, 2012 at 1:01 pm |
      • Bob123

        Bibi is an idiot who will not hesitate for one moment to drag us into WW3 if it will benefit his goals.

        March 6, 2012 at 1:59 pm |
      • mw

        BB is the only logical one. How do you people not realize the level of instability in Iran? These religious fanatics would rather end their own lives to destroy someone else' in the process. That's not logical nor is it civil in any capacity. Waiting is the worst way to handle a situation like this. Wake up.

        March 6, 2012 at 3:09 pm |
      • Todd

        Rewarding bad behavior opens up the world to be bad and get paid to be good, blow them back to the stone age and take all their oil for free, no world oil crissis, no more nukes in the middle east, problem solved

        March 6, 2012 at 3:36 pm |
      • Todd

        Iran has vowed to wipe Isreal off the map, they are developing nukes, why is waiting even a thought? USB said the same thing about the US for years, then 911 happened. didn't we go after him and his thugs, that's right and we still are hunting them down. Clinton had him in his cross hairs and let him go. YOU CANT NEGOCIATE WITH THESE PEOPLE, THEY WANT US ALL TO DIE, and they will not stop until we are all gone, or give in and become muslims. So if you cherish your faith, sometimes you have to fight for beliefs, they do it everyday. Get pair or step aside and shut up

        March 6, 2012 at 3:43 pm |
      • Kcft

        Why is it that so many Americans are so quick to go to war? Are you a soldier who has been there? Are you ready to pick up a rifle yourself? Or are you ok with someone else picking one up if it keeps you safe in your SUV back here in the States? It has become a culture here where so many people think it is unAmerican to avoid war, and a sign of weakness. It is truly mind boggling behavior. Please, BB, pick up a weapon, march over to Iran, and I will be right behind you.

        March 6, 2012 at 4:21 pm |
      • billwitty

        billwitty

        The Zionists and Israel will find a way to drag us into another costly war for us and beneficial one for them... remember war means $$$ for the Zionists, 1%, NeoCons who are in the pocket of AIPAC!!!
        Israel = Zionism = AIPAC = US politicians = 1% = destruction of our middle class = Annihilation of the poor!!!
        Iran war will destroy the entire Middle East, USA & world economy, and wil set the world back decades BUT will bring billions into the pocket of already rich and powerful Zionists!!! AIPAC controls our politicians through bribery, intimidation, promise of higher offices, etc. Israel, threatens everyone... they even considered taking out our President which went completely unnoticed as our Media & Hollywood is controlled by the evil Zionists!!

        March 6, 2012 at 5:27 pm |
      • Jim

        Please realize the dye is already cast on Iran... either Iran stops nuclear operations or Israel takes them out. Yes, for the very short term the US has sway over Israel but time is running out. The real problem for the US will be deadly retaliation, which will cause untold problems, not to mention the loss of life for many US and Israeli citizens... so all this war talk may sound cool and even appropriate but be prepared to change your life style very soon. Please note, I for one have a great life style I prefer not to be interrupted by a stupid war.

        March 6, 2012 at 9:55 pm |
      • informedunionvoter

        Right now the Iranian people are pro-America. If we start lobbin' bombs on them that will change and all hell will break loose. War is stupid. America needs to stay the heck out. of. it. These people will never stop. Maybe if they blow each other up the rest of us could get a little peace.

        March 7, 2012 at 12:20 am |
      • Hugo Chavez

        Bomb, the Devil called Iran and send all the devil worshippers to perdition.

        March 10, 2012 at 7:54 pm |
    • Lean6

      Yeah sure...let's start Armageddon to prevent Armageddon. Makes sense to me. (sarc)

      March 6, 2012 at 7:29 am | Reply
      • Todd

        At least we will all die free and not under the rule of the middle east

        March 6, 2012 at 3:46 pm |
      • Hmmmmmmmmmm

        Newsflash @ Todd Israel *is* the middle east and we are already under their rule. They just forgot to tell you apparently.

        March 6, 2012 at 10:51 pm |
      • Sheepleherder

        That's like saying, let a rabid dog run around free because it may bite you if you try to contain it. Guess what, either way it's going to bite, you may as well be proactive and deal with the situation as well as possible.

        March 7, 2012 at 1:51 pm |
      • Coolio

        If we are not owned by Iran, (which we are) then China owns us so either way we are screwed so all i am doin is stocking up on supply's till the world goes to crap

        March 8, 2012 at 12:40 am |
    • Helena Shin

      No country should pre-emptively strike another nation, if that nation values peace. Iran has every right to develop nuclear weaponry to defend itself against such aggression.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:38 am | Reply
      • Huh?

        Iran clearly does not value peace.

        March 6, 2012 at 7:57 am |
      • Viper

        Nuclear weapons are not defensive. If you think every country should have the right to have them, then you probably also agree that everyone should have a gun. When one of the crazies gets a gun, look what happens. When one of the crazies gets a nuclear bomb...

        March 6, 2012 at 7:59 am |
      • rick

        war is hell, we are all glad you are not a member of the joint chiefs. iran threatens israel, kills americans, funds terrorism and you "think" they should have nuclear weapons! will you sleep better if they do? "think" about it

        March 6, 2012 at 8:07 am |
      • jtk

        But Iran has already stated that they will not use a nuclear weapon for defense. They've already declared their intention to wipe Israel from the face of the earth if they are able to gain a working nuke; Ayatollah Khameini has stated that Jews are a threat to Islam, they don't have the right to exist, and that Israel is the "little Satan," so Israel needs to be eradicated. They've also declared tha the US is the "great Satan" because of our support for Israel, so they wish to wipe us out as well. We may not want another war, but sometimes war is inevitable and we have no choice but to fight in order to defend ourselves and our allies.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:12 am |
      • OMG

        Iran does not have that right and all must be done to prevent that possibility.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:32 am |
      • uspatriot

        The comments that iran doesn't value peace is obviously a war monger, Iran has not attacked any other nation in the last 50 yeras, the US can;t say that, we can't even claim to not have attacked another nation in the last 5 years – compared to eht US Iran is the most peaceful nation on the planet.

        March 6, 2012 at 10:58 am |
      • Duck Butter

        So, Iran needs a bomb to defend itself ?
        If Iran wasnt trying to get a bomb, it wouldnt need to "defend" itself.
        Fail.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:00 am |
      • Sam Cunningham

        What a double standard? Israel can have a nuclear bomb, yet Iran can't? How and why? What makes Israel any better than Iran? Israel has been in conflict with all nations in mid-east since it was implanted. One can ask Iran to stop its nuclear ambitions as soon as it removes all of its own bombs. This is valid for all nations on the surface of earth including the US. Otherwise it is like a drunken dad preaching his son not to consume alcohol.

        March 6, 2012 at 12:37 pm |
      • Bill

        Absolutely, who are we to singularly tell a sovereign nation they cannot develop nuclear energy or weapons. If we tell other nations that they cannot have nuclear weapons, we need to dismantle every one of ours.

        March 6, 2012 at 12:38 pm |
      • Block out the rhetoric

        Am I the only one hearing echoes of the "WMDs in Iraq" build up from 2001? There is absolutely no evidence that Iran is trying to build a bomb, just a lot of hysterical accusations. What there is evidence for is that they are working to advance their nuclear power programs to benefit their country's energy program. Let's stop drinking the AIPAC kool-aid...The Israeli gov't is painting themselves as prospective victims in this, yet someone has been ASSASSINATING Iranian scientists on Iranian soil...hmmm,who might that be?

        Crikey, can we stop the madness for a minute and stop trying to commit our favorite toy (the military) to more mayhem, particularly since some of the very people who are screaming that we need to stop spending so much are the ones trying to commit us to another front that we are no longer manned to manage? Then again, Iran does border Afghanistan and Iraq...I guess if we spread the wars to Iran then it all becomes one big AOR rather then two, doesn't it??

        March 6, 2012 at 2:38 pm |
      • wow

        if you are comfortable with a terrorist country having nuclear weapons that is fine by me...but i'm getting the hell out of here if anyone listens to you. So what if they get bullied. Does that give them the right to kill everyone? Apparently thats what it means to you

        March 6, 2012 at 3:30 pm |
      • Todd

        Go back to the desert

        March 6, 2012 at 3:32 pm |
      • yuri pelham

        Developing the weapon invites aggression. Very obvious. You don't even need to think or speculate. It is happening before your eyes. For the past 30 years they've just been asking to be wiped off the face of the earth...(not the people...just the dictators) yet no one attacked them. The biggest threat were those foolish hikers that wandered on their profane territory.
        A terrorist state cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

        March 6, 2012 at 4:44 pm |
      • mongol1

        Allowing Iran to have nukes would be like releasing Charles Manson from prison and giving him a few. You can't wait or negotiate with Iran, we've been playing that dumb game since January of '81 – remember the invasion of the American Embassy and the taking of hostages? BTW, the invasion of a country's embassy can be considered as an act of war, for those who've stated how Iran hasn't invaded anyone for 50 years (and the use of proxies – Hezbollah, Hamas, etc. can also be considered as such).

        March 6, 2012 at 5:13 pm |
      • joe

        nuts!

        March 6, 2012 at 5:27 pm |
      • tada

        Iran has every right to develop nuclear weaponry to defend itself against such aggression.

        well with that logic , israel should nuke iran , before its too late . right ?

        March 7, 2012 at 7:08 am |
      • PeterP

        In the case, every criminal should have the right to own gun for defense(?) too.

        March 7, 2012 at 10:34 am |
    • Jon Abel

      This article implies and assumes that attacks and strikes are Iran's only options. Who ever wrote this article is a war-monger. If there is one thing that Nazi Germany taught us about losing wars, it is this – don't mess with another man's oil supply. In Germany's case, it was Russia. In our case, it is China's oil supply in Iran. The U.S. should stay out of Iran before it bites off more than it can chew.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:49 am | Reply
      • AWaB

        You make a statement about WW2 and Russia's oil. You failed to mention Chamberlaine allowing Germany to take the Sudetanland (sp?). They could have stopped Germany there and we'd never have had an all encompassing war in Europe... at least not with Germany.

        March 6, 2012 at 12:04 pm |
    • clinton

      This is Persian Gulf and not Arabian Gulf. It has been Persian Gulf for 1000 years and will remain the same. Please educate yourselves. How do you fee if we say French Channel not English Channel.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:12 am | Reply
      • JIm De

        Uh, it has been called both, for more than 4,000 years. depends on which side of the water you stand on, and who's empire you were a slave in.

        March 7, 2012 at 6:40 pm |
    • Trance

      Bomb the heck out of them. All I ask is we don't spend a dime rebuilding what we bombed!

      March 6, 2012 at 11:12 am | Reply
      • Hmmmmmmmmmm

        Only if we start with Israel first. Fair is fair.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:04 pm |
      • tada

        Only if we start with Israel first. Fair is fair.

        well israel is not our enemy . Islam is

        March 7, 2012 at 7:09 am |
      • JIm De

        Nuff said!

        March 7, 2012 at 6:42 pm |
      • Noney

        But Israel is the one with the nukes..... Shouldn't we hit them first?

        March 8, 2012 at 2:13 pm |
    • Rbx

      I hate wars but in this case I am not so sure if stopping this crazy ayatollahs worth the gamble. This is a country whose leader have sworn to delete from face of earth another nation. What would you do if a neighbor that sworn to kill you you learn suddenly that he went to Walmart and just bought a gun?

      I also believe that some swift strong action will stop any other of those nations that would not hesitate to use an atomic bomb on their neighbors in the future.

      If the military action will be confined to destroy the military sites and atomic bomb research center it will be justified I guess.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:58 am | Reply
      • Brand

        US military strike on Iran most possibly will be two level strategy:

        - first strike to wipe-out all Iranian nuclear facilities

        - after that telling Iranians any massive military or terrorist response will cause second strike (or air campaign) which wipe-out entire Iranian industry, oil facilities, research centers, military targets and regime political infrastructure effectively putting Iranian regime 33 years back and also at the brink of collapse

        US strategists may think if Iranian regime is really so careful, sober and sedate as some analysts think about it referring to his responsible behavior when being in possession of nuclear weapon, why this regime cannot be similarly responsible facing such choice?

        March 6, 2012 at 1:29 pm |
    • Brand

      Now "waiting option" is essentially no option because window of opportunity is closing. "Waiting option" was mastered during last ten years and here you are results: Iran is at a brink of crossing nuclear threshold. Most possibly in about a year Iran will be capable to build nuclear warheads and then it will be too late. So final decisions are to be made now and not many viable options remain:

      - persuading Iran through economic sanctions and diplomacy to drop its nuclear program in several coming months time-frame – its is not very likely that Iranian authorities agree on this because present sanctions won't hit Iranian economy hard enough to cause severe disturbances threating regime survival

      - accept nuclear Iran and introduce containment strategy against it – maybe this option is attractive for some Obama's advisers like Brzezinski but now we know Israel won't accept such a solution and will strike first this year dragging the US into war with Iran to finish the job after Iranian retaliation.

      - US secretly or openly tell Iran: "Drop nuclear program now or we will strike at you in a powerful fashion" – only the US has military capabilities to destroy Iranian nuclear installation and assure they won't be rebuilt in the future.

      So in sum now American real choice is: wait for Iranian nuclear capitulation under pressure of economic sanctions or military blackmail – it's unlikely Iran will capitulate, wait for Israeli strike and be surprisingly involved in the regional war anyway, be prepared and strike massively alone in timely fashion. Not good choices but politics is art of possible...

      March 6, 2012 at 1:15 pm | Reply
    • Zane

      Iran having a Nuke is not the worst thing in the world, because they won't try to use it. they know if they try to use it, their country is wiped off the map of the world. the usa needs to let Israel deal with its own problems and stay out of the Iran issue.

      March 6, 2012 at 2:42 pm | Reply
      • dude

        This. Does anybody else think logically? They get a nuke, so what? Our greatest fear is that either they use it on Israel, or give it to some terrorist group to use. The immediate consequence of either action is instant global retaliation and their subsequent annihilation.

        March 6, 2012 at 6:28 pm |
      • Noney

        +1

        March 8, 2012 at 2:16 pm |
    • Duh

      No opinion on what the author has to say (I guess it is merely bs), but for your records: there are very many gulfs that are called "the gulf" (such as Gulf of Mexico), and there is NO such a damn thing as the so called "Arabian Gulf" anywhere on this planet. If you are an educated person and the so called "Chair of somewhere", perhaps you have seen the real name of what you have been dumbly trying to refer to: "PERSIAN Gulf". Does that ring a bell Mr. Chair?

      March 6, 2012 at 5:46 pm | Reply
    • Fargo1

      This is all such a scam! Who cares if Iran has Nukes? What can they do? Even if they developed a bomb and a way to deliver it, so What? It'd get blown up before it got anywhere! And Iran would be History!
      You dont think Iran knows that? You think an entire nation is that stupid?
      Well, if you do, then YOUR STUPID! And THAT might be the WHOLE PROBLEM!

      March 6, 2012 at 9:13 pm | Reply
      • PeterP

        THATS THE WHOLE PROBLEM. EVERYONE THINKS EVERYONE ELSE STUPID.

        March 7, 2012 at 10:40 am |
      • Noney

        YOU'RE = YOU ARE

        March 8, 2012 at 2:20 pm |
    • Chicago

      Why Israeil is in conflict with all of its neighbors? Why are they loaded with hateret? They even killed innocent people in the international water who were bringin food aid to "open air prison" to Gazans?

      March 6, 2012 at 10:27 pm | Reply
      • tada

        gaza has a boarder with eygpt , let eygpt open their boarder.
        not to mention the eygpt has cut off gas supplies that keep gazas main power plant open .
        anywho if iran hits israel you will not have to cry for the palestinians they will all be dead

        March 7, 2012 at 6:57 am |
    • Rab

      US and Israel are the biggest bullies in the world right now ... Israel is bombing palestine with what...!! Flowers !!! thay have the largest and deadliest weaponry and yet if any other country does the same..thay are soo scared that they become defensive and plan to wipe the whole country down but they are polite enough to make a good lame excuse first like 9/11 so no one can point a finger when all the oil is gone...

      March 7, 2012 at 6:39 am | Reply
    • tada

      Sunni and shia use suicide bombers against each other , what do you think they will do to israel .

      muslims are not our friends , they hate us . we are the big satan . why not take muslims at thier word ?

      March 7, 2012 at 6:54 am | Reply
    • coldincolorado

      Yeah, lets bomb people for making bombs!! and then when all of the cities are on fire, we'll put the fire out with gasoline. because that makes just as much sense.....

      March 7, 2012 at 5:49 pm | Reply
    • Sam

      I'm sorry have we not learned anything in Korea. We are at the same crossroads as years earlier. Furthermore, sanctions only hurt the middle and lower class. It does not effect the men that are pushing their country to develop these bombs. It is just hurting the nation.

      In honesty, we are too late. There is very little to be done. We must enter a war. WW3 is coming and it will kill many people.

      March 7, 2012 at 6:18 pm | Reply
      • Case

        A good leader would not let his people suffer because of his megalomaniacal ideologies.

        March 7, 2012 at 8:49 pm |
  2. georg

    http://www.stopwariran.com

    March 6, 2012 at 1:19 am | Reply
    • Robert

      Seems to me that the Iranians have just as much right to nuclear power as the US does.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:59 pm | Reply
    • Sarah

      I'm fine with preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons if the US, Israel and others remove theirs.

      March 6, 2012 at 1:01 pm | Reply
      • Sam Cunningham

        You are right on, Sarah !

        March 6, 2012 at 1:36 pm |
      • McCain-in-4

        Sarah, conversely, you must be okay if we provide Saudi Arabia,Kuwait & Barain with nuclear weapons.

        March 6, 2012 at 7:33 pm |
      • PeterP

        McCain-in-4 - your idea may be the brightest solution to this stupid problem.

        March 7, 2012 at 10:43 am |
  3. Mike

    The Term " Arabian gulf " is wrong .Persian gulf is the correct name.

    March 6, 2012 at 4:23 am | Reply
    • toadears

      Yep

      March 6, 2012 at 5:53 am | Reply
  4. Mahdi

    IRAQ WAS A LIE- AFGHANISTAN WAS A LIE- IRAN IS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST LIE- What is wrong with the world, I mean Iran reiterates its not going to make nuclear weapons and the west just accuses it of them wanting to pursue- I mean IRAN doesn't want war or problems, America and Israel are just looking for it...

    March 6, 2012 at 5:27 am | Reply
    • sanjosemike

      Iran doesn't want problems? Then why do they open up every public meeting with: "Death to Israel, death to the US."

      Why do they support terrorism against every Western Country?

      Why does Iran insist on attempting to RULE the entire Muslim World with Shia Islam?

      Please answer those questions first.

      sanjosemike

      March 6, 2012 at 6:29 am | Reply
      • Dave

        Iran has no defense against these questions!

        March 6, 2012 at 7:03 am |
      • DJS

        Read a history book...that should tell you why they want you dead. Not to mention constant threats.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:09 am |
      • kayvie

        @sanjosemike

        "Why do they support terrorism against every Western Country?"
        Not true. Against Israel through through proxies yes but not every western country. Don't dramatise!
        But then again Israel is covertly at war with Iran right through recent killings of their nuclear scientists and their terrorist activities and recent bombings inside Iran.

        "Why does Iran insist on attempting to RULE the entire Muslim World with Shia Islam?"
        Nonesense and totally fabricated to sensationalise! Shia is a minority sect in islam only found in Iran, Lebanon and parts of Iraq. There are 1.2 billion musilms majority sunnis including powerful Nato member Turkey!

        Now your turn to answersome fundamental questions:

        1- Why should Iran not feel threatened when the country is engulfed between Iraq and Afghanistan? (both invaded by US)
        2- How many countries has Iran invaded recently?
        3- Why should US risk life and tax payers money for the sake of Israel thousands of miles away? (Surely Israel doesn't need Obama's appeasement when they already possess over 200 nuclear warheads!)
        4- With that kind of background about Israel's nuclear capability why on earth would Iran want to threaten Israel when consequences are clearly known to them?

        It's a no brainer that Bibi is trying damn hard to align Israel with US to isolate Iran for a long time. Which is why that nutjob Bibi wants to sell the story that Iran is a danager to the whole world peace! Whether Obama will buy into all this ass licking style given the fact that there is an upcoming election in US remains questionable. Israeli policy makers never liked Obama whom they claimed is a "moslem or "moslem appeaser"
        US should leave Israel to handle their own situation. It's a risky policy to interfere.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:43 am |
      • VK

        You have wrong facts. I am originally from India. Invading some nation based on hypothesis and speculation is dangerous. Second from pragmatic viewpoint – Wars are expensive. Of the $14.3T in debt, $6.1T was borrowed during
        Bush years due to wars paid with tax cuts!!! War will increase borrowing and debt and impact our recovery unless we are willing to accept high taxes to pay for war.

        March 6, 2012 at 3:07 pm |
    • foreigner

      it is simple.america lives big by robbing others.it wants trillions from iran-iranian golden reserves,silver,foreign currency reserves,diamonds,oil,mineral wealth-so american jerks can continue having high living standard.my personal wish is that marines are sent into iran.when hundreds of thousands of american parents receive their sons in coffins from iran,then america will turn into decent and honest country.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:39 am | Reply
      • Dave

        What are you smoking? Either that or your tin foil hat needs adjusting.

        March 6, 2012 at 7:04 am |
      • jtk

        So you're hope is that hundreds of thousands of people will die and hundreds of thousands of families will mourn and grieve because of it? You are one sick jerk...

        March 6, 2012 at 8:16 am |
      • Duck Butter

        Global population control is about to commence.
        Its about time.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:10 am |
      • Mona DiGrandi

        That mentality is so wrong on so many levels. Shame on you.

        March 6, 2012 at 12:07 pm |
      • therodman54

        I think our real intent is to round up all of their camels as an alternate form of transportation and energy. We're just using the nuclear threat as an excuss. With all of the floods the US has endured in recent years...we may want to consider exporting some of that sand while we're there. I think your towel might be a little tight on your head.

        March 6, 2012 at 5:50 pm |
      • tada

        Muslims are more comfortable doing something that is wrong, than changing and doing something that is right

        March 7, 2012 at 7:01 am |
    • Thinker23

      If everything is A LIE and everyone (including Iranian leaders) is A LIAR the problem certainly is with YOU, Mahdi...

      March 6, 2012 at 6:46 am | Reply
    • Peace is the only answer

      Agree!

      March 6, 2012 at 7:12 am | Reply
      • sanjosemike

        "I have within my hand an agreement with Heir Hitler. We have peace in our time."

        Neville Chamberlain

        March 6, 2012 at 4:26 pm |
    • Me3

      "America is just looking for a war." Excuse me, have you met our president?

      March 7, 2012 at 12:12 am | Reply
    • PeterP

      Why should they have a war with anyone, while there is an army of stupid fanatical radical terrorists willing to do it for them?

      March 7, 2012 at 10:48 am | Reply
  5. Slash

    What Gulf are you talking about?, Mexican Gulf?

    March 6, 2012 at 5:37 am | Reply
  6. EndTheFed

    The government of Israel is trying their damnedest to obliterate the Earth. It's like they're trying to make all that wacky fire and brimstone junk from revelations come true.

    The world is awake to Israel's misdeeds and they have lost the sympathy of the entire world with the exception of the football-crazed, hypnotized by corporate media, consuming cancerous American ignoramuses. Not to say Americans are ignorant, but anyone who supports Israel is.

    March 6, 2012 at 5:42 am | Reply
    • William

      People like yourself were part of the problem before World War II look at what happened then and you will see Iran.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:43 am | Reply
    • Thinker23

      I'm not sure what you're talking about but it's the gobernment of Iran that is threatening to destroy the state of Israel. Not the other way around.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:48 am | Reply
      • EndTheFed

        Really? Not according to Israel's prime minister, "Netanyahu."

        "We are determined to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. We leave all options on the table and containment is not an option. The Jewish state will not allow those who seek Israel's destruction the means to achieve that goal. A nuclear-armed Iran must be stopped."

        March 7, 2012 at 6:47 pm |
    • Rags

      Hey EndTheFed, you could easily go to Iran and assist them. Nobody will miss you when you end up in one of their prisons with a death sentence.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:19 am | Reply
    • rick

      the whole world wants iran to have nuclear weapons so that hezbolalh can have them and egypt will want them and saudi arabia will want them and the shoe bomber and underwear bomber can have a suit case nuke next time while the cancerous ignoramuses watch football in the US? sounds like the hookah at the local islamic center is burning glue and rubber extract. time for your shift at the convenience store

      March 6, 2012 at 7:51 am | Reply
      • EndTheFed

        Hezbollah/Israel (same thing) already have nukes...which is a direct violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The underwear bomber was assisted by US intelligence. Just google Kurt Haskell and read his story.

        March 7, 2012 at 6:50 pm |
    • Viper

      Did you really just say the Jewish people want to see the book of REVELATION come true? You do understand that is the NEW testament, don't you? The Torah does not contain the new testament, only the old. Christians believe in revelation.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:06 am | Reply
      • EndTheFed

        I never said anything about Jews. In fact, I think your assertion that there is such a thing as "The Jewish People" demonstrates your narrow view of the world.

        March 7, 2012 at 6:45 pm |
    • Duck Butter

      EndTheFed

      The government of Israel is trying their damnedest to obliterate the Earth

      And itself ?
      You are a fool.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:11 am | Reply
      • EndTheFed

        The leaders of all "Western-friendly" countries would destroy their homelands for the praise of the banking elite. If you believe otherwise, I recommend looking at the state of the world around you.

        March 7, 2012 at 6:54 pm |
    • flickerman

      Such rants are a discredit the the antisemitic movent. People will think we are looney. We lose credibility. Try again later using facts and logic.

      March 6, 2012 at 4:51 pm | Reply
      • EndTheFed

        Racism is never spawned by logic.

        March 7, 2012 at 6:54 pm |
    • Logic101

      You're so dumb you make my computer slow down.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:18 pm | Reply
  7. kld210

    I agree witht he fact we do not need another war, I am strongly against that. However we are talking about IRAN they truly want to be world power. Are they telling the truth about wanting what they have for peaceful purposes, I highly think not. No matter how much I try to give them the benefit of the doubt, their lies are a huge pill to swallow. I do not think we should have been in IRAQ or in Afganistan, but I remember Sept 11 way to vividly. I also believe we need to stop calling racial profiling against all of them, it is what it is and if it hurts your feelings that we profile you, accept our apologies if your innocent, but we will always look at you like that. IRAN is not trustworthy, sure lets keep both eyes wide open and see what the sanctions do, but if we must go then we need to go in do it right the first time. The sad truth is like I said earlier Is a HUGE PILL to swollow, we can only hope that AH is telling the truth "I AM AFRAID HE IS JUST NOT"

    March 6, 2012 at 5:46 am | Reply
    • EndTheFed

      Just type "Israel res" into Google and see what the first suggestion is that comes up. It's not a coincidence.

      March 6, 2012 at 5:51 am | Reply
      • kld210

        I didn't say israel right in their thinking, I am saying we have to watch IRAN very close, keep both eyes open, and if its peaceful so be it, if its not and the snake raises his ugly head then do what we must.

        March 6, 2012 at 6:00 am |
      • Thinker23

        Why don't YOU enlighten us, "EndtheFed"?

        March 6, 2012 at 6:49 am |
      • EndTheFed

        @Thinker23 What comes up is "Israel responsible for 911." This comment will be deleted by CNN, but Israel was responsible for 9/11. They provoke a US military response through false flag actions in order to achieve their agenda of world domination through central banking schemes. War is debt. Debt is slavery.

        March 6, 2012 at 7:00 am |
      • rick

        those saudi and yemeni citizens that flew those planes into the towers were actually israelis? do they even let you into the islamic center after your shift at the at the convenience center ends? ooooooooooooo jews bad, shoe bomber and underwear bomber good, really israelis though..............oooooooooooooo muslims good, jews bad......oooooooooo

        March 6, 2012 at 8:04 am |
      • parmel

        I typed Israel res into the Google search bar and I came up with restaurants in Israel.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:08 am |
      • Duck Butter

        Israel was not responsible for 911.
        Germany, Israel, Russia, Britain and several other countries tried to warn us.
        Those warnings ignored by the Bush White House.
        Mossad even contacted the CIA.
        George Bush got daily security updates from CIA, FBI, NSA, and other
        agencies, but ignored them.

        Think very carefully about this:

        George Bush Administration ran around for months after 911
        saying there was no warning, we had no idea these people (hijackers)
        had even been in the United States.
        Then explain this.......
        On 912 the day after the attack, this same administration releases the names
        of all 19 of the hijackers including photographs.

        Then how did they know who the 19 hijackers where ?

        March 6, 2012 at 11:19 am |
      • Logic101

        Right. And I see Jesus is in my tequila and Mary is in my cigarette smoke.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:20 pm |
  8. JR

    MAHDI – "Iran doesn't want problems"? You must have forgotten that Iran has taken US citizens prisoner, that Iran has and is supplying weapons to Iraq and Syria which were used to kill US troops and innocent civilians, that Iran is supplying weapons to Hamas and Hezbolla. I guess you somehow missed all that.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:02 am | Reply
    • foreigner

      f- us citizens.you are jerks.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:43 am | Reply
      • rick

        brilliant repartee, learn debating techniques in jail?

        March 6, 2012 at 8:00 am |
      • kingkong

        oh...i lov it when u talk dirty!

        March 6, 2012 at 8:28 am |
      • Noney

        learn how to type.troll

        March 8, 2012 at 2:33 pm |
    • Thinker23

      Apparently, Mahdi believes that after doing all that Iran DID NOT WANT the US to react. One can similarly say that Iran does not want "problems" in case it will try to nuke Israel while it certainly DOES NOT want Israel to respond.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:52 am | Reply
  9. kld210

    JR I totally agree with you. What i was saying to EndTheFed is that we shouldn't jump into the middle of another war, watch, wait, and if the snake raises it's ugly head "CUT IT OFF" we cant afford to do a half AZZ just if it should happen.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:05 am | Reply
  10. kld210

    Meant we cant do a Half Azz job if it should happen, we need to do it right the first time IF WE MUST do it at all

    March 6, 2012 at 6:08 am | Reply
  11. sanjosemike

    Completely missing from this argument for containment and pacifism is the Sunni vs. Shi'a War which has gone on since 632. Irianians are primarily Shi'a and the Arab World is primarily Sunni. The bad blood between them is nothing new.

    Iran wants to rule the Muslim World. Israel is simply a "distraction" for them, even though it is the primary concentration of Media. Much has been made of the risks of war, and they cannot be dismissed.

    But pacifism, like the kind specified by this analyst also has a price. That price is full nuclear war capability for Iran. Other Muslim countries, most specifically Pakistan, also have nuclear weapons. But Pakistan, while bellicose toward India has never been considered a World wide threat.

    Pakistan has no ambitions to rule the Muslim World. Iran does. There's a huge difference and pacifism is not an answer to their primary goal.

    sanjosemike

    March 6, 2012 at 6:25 am | Reply
    • Thinker23

      As the Israeli leaders have said containment is NOT AN OPTION. Israel can not afford nuclear Iran.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:54 am | Reply
      • Josh

        And we can't afford a nuclear Israel either.

        March 6, 2012 at 7:01 am |
      • Simon Says

        *** Josh

        And we can't afford a nuclear Israel either.
        -------------------–
        Why ?
        Israel has been attacled over, and over, and over,
        and yet she has never used her nukes.
        Or maybe, you just dont like Israel.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:30 am |
      • Logic101

        @Josh- We've been affording it. SO far, so good. *WHADDA DOLT*

        March 6, 2012 at 8:22 pm |
  12. Tbaker

    Iran simply cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. All options must meet this condition – there is no flexibility.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:31 am | Reply
  13. Jeff in San Diego

    Isreal will lead us into permanent war.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:34 am | Reply
    • rick

      "oooooooooo permanent war?.........ooooooooooooooo 10 years in afghanistan at their request and muslims still killing americans over a book..........ooooooooooooo iraq invades kuwait and gasses its own, Israel's fault.........oooooooo Jeff the appeaser.......ooooooooooooooo muslims good, libya good, hezbollah iran proxy killing marines in lebanon good, israel bad...ooooooooooo

      March 6, 2012 at 7:58 am | Reply
      • Blanton

        Hahaahaahaaaa!!!!!

        Look at the angry little diaspora hopping up and down trying to be funny!!!!! HAHAHAAA!!!!!!!!

        March 8, 2012 at 2:38 pm |
    • Simon Says

      Permanent war ?
      Wow.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:32 am | Reply
    • Logic101

      Hey Jeff. DOn't know if ya noticed. War is upon us. Remember those sanctions? That's war. Iran will never be our friend. They want us GONE. Or maybe you think being called THE BIG SATAN is flattery?

      March 6, 2012 at 8:23 pm | Reply
  14. Dan

    No American blood and treasure for Israel

    March 6, 2012 at 6:45 am | Reply
    • Thinker23

      Rejoice, Dan! Not a single American soldier ever participated in Israeli wars. This being said, however, a nuclear war in the Middle East will be a catastrophe for the entire world making its prevention the utmost priority for the US and most other countries on the planet.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:56 am | Reply
      • Dan

        why do u think we went to war against Iraq? The neo cons got us in there for Israel

        March 6, 2012 at 7:18 am |
    • rick

      oooooo blood and treasure on your mind..........oooooooooo muslims good, jews bad..........ooooooooo shoe bomber good, underwear bomber good, jews bad...........oooooooooo dan is scared, poor dan........ooooooooooooo go muslims dan. when the s..t hit the fan

      March 6, 2012 at 7:54 am | Reply
      • fred goldstein

        Rick needs to fix his keyboard the " o" key is jammed , or maybe he learned his English in Israel .

        March 6, 2012 at 8:05 am |
      • Zack Goldstein

        Why not a nuclear free zone in the middle east? Oh...that's right....Israel doesn't want that because they would have to give up their ILLEGAL NUKES!! \
        Why do we Americans give almost 30BILLION a year to Israel in military and financial aid???? Then Republicans want to cut domestic spending including meals on wheels for seniors and at the same time give Israel billions...BILLIONS!!
        You pathetic losers....Ahmedinajad said he wants to wipe Israel off the map....DOESN"T MEAN NUKE the country...it means the government of Israel should be replaced by a secular, non zenophobic power that has nothing to do with religion where everyone in that area(palestinian and jew) has a right to a vote.
        Israel is playing the US like a bunch of fools....we are the bank and the printing machine for Israel's illegal exploits and illegal land settlements.
        UN Resolution 242. If Israel goes back to 67 borders they would be recognized by almost all Arab countries. Even India which is the largest democracy ON EARTH is supporting Iran through trade and commerce.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:25 am |
      • Zack Goldstein

        I am jew by the way.....
        Being ANTI-ISRAELI is NOT BEING ANTI-SEMITIC. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:28 am |
      • Simon Says

        *** You pathetic losers....Ahmedinajad said he wants to wipe Israel off the map....DOESN"T MEAN NUKE the country...it means the government of Israel should be replaced by a secular, non zenophobic power that has nothing to do with religion where everyone in that area(palestinian and jew) has a right to a vote.

        Everybody in Israel has the right to vote.
        Israel cant be a Jewish state,
        But the Islamic Republic of Iran is ok ?

        You seem to have a "Jew" problem.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:46 am |
      • Blanton

        HAHAAAHAAHAAA!!!!

        And there he goes again - The angry little diaspora hopping up and down trying to be funny!!!!

        Bwahaahahahaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

        March 8, 2012 at 2:44 pm |
      • Neko

        Zack Goldstein is not Jewish. It is a feeble attempt at denigrating the Jewish people. Zack's real name is Mohammed Abdul bin couscous.

        March 9, 2012 at 9:35 am |
  15. nopretenders

    the clock is ticking for iran, it's not a matter of IF it's a matter of WHEN
    and the sooner the better
    iran will soon learn first hand the lesson's of iraq

    March 6, 2012 at 6:46 am | Reply
    • MilitaryMan

      all of you who are screaming for action i want you to be the first with the gun and go over there. I love you guys I have jjust spent the last seven years of my life trying to fix the screw up from the last WAR of no weapons of mass destruction and you guys are all ready hatching up new failed WARs. You do not know these people and you know nothing of there environment. The difference between all of this is if we start this war there will be a draft and russia and china are going to get involved. Thats right boys and girls you guessed it WW3, but don't worry we will clean up after you fat mouths who talk about war as a glorious thing when you would probably soil your pants when the first bullet starts to fly and then maybe then you will see the true of it.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:15 pm | Reply
  16. Thomas

    “Shi’ite crescent” ! What marvelous vernacular. Hey, you should be a writer. Thank you for interviewing with the Intelligence Dept. but we have considered other's who have more qualified experience.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:50 am | Reply
    • Sick of it All

      Too bad the US didn't...

      March 6, 2012 at 7:11 am | Reply
  17. War hater

    Too much talk, Just bomb them all the Muslim troube maker

    March 6, 2012 at 6:53 am | Reply
    • eric

      Yes.If they dont now how to live right..Too much problem with them already

      March 6, 2012 at 10:44 am | Reply
    • bosmonkey

      "This is why the best current option is a “waiting option” that relies on diplomacy, sanctions, and the offer of incentives" "...currently the least bad of a range of bad options, and it does give time sanction to work, dialogue to have an impact, and for the Iranian regime to change its position."

      March 6, 2012 at 2:36 pm | Reply
    • Warhater

      You are as STUPID as your comment!!

      March 6, 2012 at 6:39 pm | Reply
  18. Josh

    If the goal is to keep all nuclear weapons out of the Middle East, then the US needs to clearly and quickly, engage in a full military attack against Israel since there is confirmed intelligence that has reveled that Israel might have nuclear weapon.

    BTW, I am not anti-Israel. Just for a constant rule that applies equally and evenly to all Middle East countries.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:00 am | Reply
    • Nudge

      You want the United States to Attack Israel ?
      You are a complete freaking nut case.
      We dont attack our friends, moron.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:50 am | Reply
    • Fearless Freep

      *** BTW, I am not anti-Israel.

      Yes you are.
      You just posted that America should attack Israel.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:52 am | Reply
      • Zack Goldstein

        Why not a nuclear free zone in the middle east? Oh...that's right....Israel doesn't want that because they would have to give up their ILLEGAL NUKES!! \
        Why do we Americans give almost 30BILLION a year to Israel in military and financial aid???? Then Republicans want to cut domestic spending including meals on wheels for seniors and at the same time give Israel billions...BILLIONS!!
        You pathetic losers....Ahmedinajad said he wants to wipe Israel off the map....DOESN"T MEAN NUKE the country...it means the government of Israel should be replaced by a secular, non zenophobic power that has nothing to do with religion where everyone in that area(palestinian and jew) has a right to a vote.
        Israel is playing the US like a bunch of fools....we are the bank and the printing machine for Israel's illegal exploits and illegal land settlements.
        UN Resolution 242. If Israel goes back to 67 borders they would be recognized by almost all Arab countries. Even India which is the largest democracy ON EARTH is supporting Iran through trade and commerce.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:32 am |
      • Simon Says

        *** Why not a nuclear free zone in the middle east? Oh...that's right....Israel doesn't want that because they would have to give up their ILLEGAL NUKES!! \

        They are not illegal.
        You are a moron.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:49 am |
      • tada

        UN Resolution 242. If Israel goes back to 67 borders

        no it does not . maybe you should read UN Resolution 242

        March 7, 2012 at 7:17 am |
    • hez316

      I I don't remember the Israeli government stating it wanted to terminate the people of Iran

      March 6, 2012 at 8:45 am | Reply
  19. Sick of it All

    Leave it to a nation of blowhard clowns to be afraid of a country on the other side of the planet and want to go to war with them. As if they could ever really be a threat to us here (you're drinking moonshine if you think they truely are.) But if you have "rules" you're willing to go to war over than they need to apply to everyone. How about India and Pakistan? They too are scary, militant nations. They too have nukes. I don't hear the war drums beating to "nuke them" off the planet, in fact I don't ever remember hearing them. To be honest Pakistan scares me more than Iran does – at least you know where Iran stands (or it's ruling old codgers anyway.) Pakistan is a hot mess and we pretend they're friends.

    Then again you all may have a point – Isreal is nuclear, refuses to allow inspectors in, gives the world the finger about it and just look how militant and dangerous THEY are. If Isreal wants a war let THEM have it, pay for it and deal with the mess of what that would almost certainly become. I could care less about Isreal personally – they have NOTHING for us. And we don't need them for anything. THat's a fact. And oil? If we really want oil we'll buy it from anyone willing to sell it – it's not like we're squeamish about dealing with dictotors, drug lords or crackpots... we do THAT every day only we call them "allies".

    When and IF Iran truely threatens us here, THEN I'm all for kicking them in the tail and busting some heads but frankly that's just not the case. If you nutters get yourselves ANOTHER war, I'm REALLY going to hate saying I told you so...

    P.S. And you think the economy sucks now?

    March 6, 2012 at 7:08 am | Reply
    • LET'S GIVE PEACE A CHANCE

      I agree with most of what you said except that we should allow Israel to fight its own war and attack Iran itself if it wishes. You see, an attack on Iran would sort of be like an attack on America simply because Iran would blame America for Israel's pre-emptive attack. Then Americans would be targets world wide like never before. Therefore I applaud President Obama for pressuring Israel to exercise restraint and allow the sanctions to work.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:49 am | Reply
      • fred goldstein

        You should applaud Israeli penis, because that thing is all in your mouth.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:17 am |
      • Simon Says

        *** fred goldstein

        You should applaud IRANIAN penis, because that thing is all in your mouth.

        Works both ways azzhole.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:51 am |
    • abtexas130

      So just kind of thinking ahead... what happens when Iran controls the strait and says they are shutting it down. What happens when Iran says they are raising the price of oil to $300 per barrel? Should we still just buy it from whoever is selling it? We have to have influence in the part of the world or you will pay $40 at the pump. Israel is our protection over there and I am not a religious nut. They are our protection for our economy. If China controls the global market then where do we stand? Just think outside the box

      March 6, 2012 at 8:30 am | Reply
      • Txjack

        I say great let them. About time.

        We will get oil from Canada the 4th lagest oil reservers in the world.

        This is where we should have been going all along.

        March 6, 2012 at 2:40 pm |
  20. ghostmule

    Well, I've been alive long enough to safely say that war with Iran is 100%.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:14 am | Reply
  21. Brad

    Despite how it's presented, even our own military doesn't believe Iran is acting irrationally with regards to nuclear weapons (See General Dempsey remarks). They are not about to launch a nuclear strike where the retaliation will destroy them as well as their target. Nuclear deterrence will still work! There's no need to continue policies of preemptive war. And considering there's still only one country that has used nuclear weapons on a civilian target (twice). I don't believe we have the moral high ground here either to dictate nuclear policies of other nations.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:19 am | Reply
  22. Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

    So should North Korea use a pre-emptive strike and attack South Korea because they perceive the US and South Korea as being a threat to its soverenty? And what message would we be sending to rogue states around the world if we were to support a pre-emptive strike on Iran? Perhaps strike your eneny or neighbor before they strike you? And what if that very same pre-emptive concept was to be used against Israel and the United States?

    March 6, 2012 at 7:19 am | Reply
  23. LCF

    War is unavoidable. The world needs a enema. There is nothing you can do to stop it.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:22 am | Reply
  24. Alexander

    As usual, YOU ARE VERY WRONG MR. ZAKARIA.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:31 am | Reply
    • Fearless Freep

      ** Alexander

      As usual, YOU ARE VERY WRONG MR. ZAKARIA.
      --------------------------

      Zakaria didnt write this moron.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:54 am | Reply
  25. ptsdLoading

    No more WAR, This is a country of OIL JUNKIES, ween yourselves off of it, the government needs a 12 step class to stop using oil. Find Alternatives – we have them, we know them, stop being dependent! No more putting our soldier in harms way, unless you start the draft and include the children of the 1% !!!!!

    March 6, 2012 at 7:34 am | Reply
  26. dh

    When fighting a war, you fight to win, completely, without compromise. We seem to have forgotten that since WWII. You do not just destroy the fighting troops and their equipment, you destroy the leaders, the infrastructure, and everything associated with it. The unfortunate consequence is that innocent civilians die, along with the not so innocent. To go after military targets only, is a mistake we keep making to appease those who live in lala land. I hope Israel does not make the same mistakes we have since Vietnam. Eliminate the leadership in Tehran as well as all of their military infrastructure, and after a short period of retaliation by some of their allies, the world of terrorism as it exists, will be eliminated due to lack of funding.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:39 am | Reply
  27. Mark

    The Western powers were aware of the threat posed by Adolf Hitler in 1935 and possibly sooner. They did not have the stomach to take him on then and he just got stronger and stronger. Finally he started a war that enveloped 50 countries and cost millions of lives to end. During that war he exterminated 6million+ Jews, Gypsies, Muslims, Disabled people and others who didn't fit his model of the master race.

    Hitler was the perfect example of Geo-political cancer left to spread. If you leave it too long to treat it then the treatment is more painful when you do finally act. Iran is the perfect example of Geo-political cancer. Failure to act has allowed them to continue their nuclear weapons program, harden their defenses and extend their support for proxy regimes like Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria. It will turn into a shooting match anyway because totalitarian regimes never fall without a fight and typically extend that fight to a perceived external enemy. We should have taken them down earlier but we still need to take them down, like it or not. It's a fact.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:40 am | Reply
    • Viper

      BUT, we have also seen that Castro ages, Kim Jong Ill ages and dies, new leaders emerge....what if the plot to kill Hitler had worked? The leadership in Iran will change. Soon. The leadership in America will also change. Look at the difference between Bush and Obama.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:16 am | Reply
  28. Ramesh

    WHEN THE F*** ARE WE GOING TO LEARN? ISRAEL IS NOT USA
    We as Americans should stop worrying about Israel and all other countries and should stop defending and rebuilding other countries at the expense of our own kids (in military), our tax payers money, our economy, our peace, and our security. These Arabs,Iran, Israel, Afghanistans, Pakistans,Koreans, Europeans, Africans,Asians have a long and miserable history of constant struggle,anarchy,violence,and destructive mentality, so it is a mistake that we waste ourselves for them. I might sound like inhuman, but this is coming based on my extensive travels in most these countries. Most of the people in the above mentioned countries (including Europeans) hate us while they dont have problems USING us. Wake Up America! It is time to re-focus internally! By the way, I also get the OIL aspect, but that is a small component. if anybody really wants to hurt us here...we know waht we can do...Bomb their asses off to hell! So Why the hell we waste our time and resources on undeserving counties, people! – Ramesh

    March 6, 2012 at 7:48 am | Reply
    • Dan

      Ramesh – I totally agree with your observations...we have lot of internal rebuilding to do first! Go USA!

      March 6, 2012 at 7:54 am | Reply
    • adopted USA

      Agree 100%

      March 6, 2012 at 5:05 pm | Reply
  29. THE ODDS ARE IN THE RACIO DON'T THROW THE DICE

    There's 7 million people in Israel and 80 million in Iran! In a genocidal warfare, Iran would still have a few millions left but Israel would be eradicated! Hey, let's chill and give peace a chance!

    March 6, 2012 at 7:55 am | Reply
  30. Jennifer

    Ramesh – Very wise approach. I can't agree with you more. We need to get our act together first.....

    March 6, 2012 at 7:56 am | Reply
  31. Center Of The Universe

    You only have one planet.
    You keep drawing lines in the sand
    and fighting over it.

    Evolve or be exterminated.
    Your choice.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:00 am | Reply
  32. Cannuck

    This jew is going to start WW3. They attack Iran and Russia or China or both will retaliate with nuclear force and wipe them right off the map!

    March 6, 2012 at 8:03 am | Reply
    • Mark Stealer

      Thats total BS, your not very smart are ya??Eh??

      March 6, 2012 at 8:43 am | Reply
    • Simon Says

      Russia and China will nuke Israel off the map.

      Look at a map lately ?

      Turkey
      Syria
      Jordan
      Saudi Arabia
      Iraq
      Lebanon
      Israel.

      In what direction does the nuclear fallout spread ?
      Kuwait
      Bahrain
      UAE
      Quatar
      Yemen
      Cypress
      Egypt
      Armenia
      Ajerbaijan ?

      Most of the worlds oil comes from there.
      Russia and China would completely destroy thier own economy.
      Not to mention that billions of the worlds poulation are Islam followers
      that alone would start WW3.

      Not going to happen.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:42 am | Reply
      • tada

        Not to mention that billions of the worlds poulation are Islam followers

        the way muslims are killing fellow muslims they will have to make more babies to keep their numbers up ...BTW christianity is the fastest growing religion

        March 7, 2012 at 7:24 am |
    • tada

      prime minister harper says the biggest threat to canada is islam

      March 7, 2012 at 7:20 am | Reply
    • Sahl

      You a Canuck. BS you slime ball islamist.

      March 9, 2012 at 9:30 am | Reply
  33. jack

    PAKISTAN NUCLEAR FIRST TO TO TAKE IT OUT. WE WAIT AND SPENT TRILLIONS AND OSAMA BIN LADEN FOUND IN PAKISTAN AFTER TEN YEARS. PAKISTAN IS MAIN TERRORIST HEAVEN ON EARTH. MY AMERICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS YOU SHOULD TELL ALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESS AND SENATE TAKE OUT PAKISTAN FIRST. THEY NOT LIVING PEACEFULLY WORLD.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:06 am | Reply
    • Logic101

      What are we, Dude? Hit Men Hotline?

      March 6, 2012 at 7:54 pm | Reply
  34. Norman

    It is apparent that the author is a man who truly has not learned from the past. He is an educated fool, an elitist who believes 'the devil really has a good side and will show it if given the time'. He is the Neville Chamberlain of 2012.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:07 am | Reply
  35. newengland2

    The peace only come from balance of power. Indian and Pakistan is a good example. No one in mideast states are capable to attack Israel. However, too much power was given to Israel will never bring peace either! After WWII, many countries gave US a trouble at different periods. However, Israel ALWAYS gave trouble to America.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:11 am | Reply
    • Simon Says

      *** However, Israel ALWAYS gave trouble to America.

      Wrong.
      And stupid.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:55 am | Reply
    • Logic101

      Israel gives us no trouble. But it gave us cell phones!

      March 6, 2012 at 7:56 pm | Reply
  36. Lee

    Iranian leaders have already sent signal that they will not change . Then why USA fear to attack ? Simple . No scope

    March 6, 2012 at 8:12 am | Reply
  37. Lagos

    Do nothing and let Iran get more nukes than they'd otherwise have later after an attack (already too late to stop their program). Do something and you provoke an attack.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:12 am | Reply
  38. Doctor

    You did mean the "ATTACK OPTION", as in Religious war right?

    March 6, 2012 at 8:15 am | Reply
  39. Doctor

    Once a country has the technology, all an attack would accomplish is give them a reason to use these weapons.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:16 am | Reply
  40. THE END RESULT OF THE END RESULT IS THE END RESULT

    So I understand Israel wants to carry out a pre-emptive strike against Iran to avery a second holocaust! Well, an attack on Iran would lead to a second holocaust! Duhhhhhh!

    March 6, 2012 at 8:17 am | Reply
  41. Dr. Hugh

    I have to agree with Mr. Viper. A crazy nation should not have nuclear weapons, once they have nuclear weapons they will be acting just like the United States did when they bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and how they do nowadays sticking their nose in everyone's butt. Why that? Because they think they have the power, they believe they can control, they believe they can kill and destroy. U.S. is right in believing that letting Iran having NW will just create another nation just like them. I believe however, that Iran and the United States could make a pack where the United States could get rid and their nuclear weapons and Iran would stop trying to make theirs. By the way, it is unlikely that Iran has the ability to make any weapon of mass destruction....oh by the way, there is the WMD found in Iraq?

    March 6, 2012 at 8:19 am | Reply
    • UNARN THE AGGRESSOR

      Yes, dangerous nations shouldn't be allowed to possess nuclear weapons and neither should they be allowed to possess American fighter jets and Apachie helicopters and rockets and cluster bombs! See, cause when we allow them, such crazy nations use these deadly weapons against refugee villages, schools, hospitals and even against clearly marked UN compound with peace kepers!

      March 6, 2012 at 8:43 am | Reply
    • Feed Your Head

      *** I believe however, that Iran and the United States could make a pack where the United States could get rid and their nuclear weapons and Iran would stop trying to make theirs.

      United States get rid of her Nukes to make a pact with Iran ?
      And leave itself wide open from a hit by Russia or China ?

      You are very very very stupid.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:00 pm | Reply
      • Logic101

        Perhaps the minimum IQ for posters needs to be raised from moron to slightly retarded. That way, this guy would be canned but everyone else could still blather their pacifist halcyon rainbows and unicorn talk. Oh. Iran is peaceful. They shot a woman protester in the face just a year ago. Real peaceful. Not to mention, they aid Hamas and Hezbollah. No one is safe with a nuclear Iran. NO ONE

        March 6, 2012 at 7:59 pm |
  42. Jason

    You missed one option. Massive preemptive attacks that take place in a one hour span. Launch dozens of full size nuclear war heads at the highest population centers with the intent of killing the majority of the population. Then drop leaflets saying "we told you.., now next time behave"

    March 6, 2012 at 8:23 am | Reply
    • Logic101

      This is the ONLY thing to do. Time is running out before the outpatients get the bomb.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:01 pm | Reply
  43. John Gabriel

    The aggressor is always the one that strikes first. Words and bluster are void and meaningless.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:29 am | Reply
    • Mark Stealer

      Not true, the lanuguage of the Iranian regime has already shown them to be the agressor

      March 6, 2012 at 8:41 am | Reply
  44. I HAVE A CHALLENGE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE WORLD COMMUNITY

    There's a saying, those who ignore history is bound to repeat it and apparently we haven't yet learned anything from the blunders that have now destabilized Iraq for perhaps one hundred years!

    In 2003, millions of Americans and people in Great Britain and Italy and in other countries around the world rallied and protested against the invasion of Iraq! In 2003, Rome broke a Guiness book of Record for the largest peace time rally in history where 3 million Italians gathered in Rome and protested against an invasion of Iraq! Guess what? The world community was CORRECT and GWB and the GOP were WRONG!

    So as a concerned American, I'm challenging Americans and the world community to take to the social media and let's reoganize peace time rallies around the world once more to protest against a war against Iran. let's face it, the sovereignty and stability of our world is a stake and if we want to avert WWIII, then this is the time to take charge and speak out!

    March 6, 2012 at 8:32 am | Reply
    • Mark Stealer

      The war will happen, you and your protests are laughable.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:37 am | Reply
    • Feed Your Head

      Have a nice protest until an Iranian nuke takes you out.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:02 pm | Reply
    • sliv3r16

      ...because it worked the first time? I'm sorry I guess I just didn't get what you were asking. I figured you would want to do something for your cause that would work instead of breaking another record.

      March 6, 2012 at 1:35 pm | Reply
    • Logic101

      Can the Rainbow Unicorn People smoking apple-flavored hashish please stop insulting the rest of us who actually READ history and KNOW that evil, greed, and suicidal war-makers exist. Israel better do what the U.S. is too scared to do.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:04 pm | Reply
  45. Mark Stealer

    Here I am commenting on a board full of people less intelligent then myself. This has been my curse most of my life as I am a genius. This is the one and only opinion you need to know and accept. Iran is a threat, they supply terrorists that are willing to go to any lengths to hurt the west. Iran will sell them a nuclear device and American interest and Israel will be hit by a nuclear weapon. This is not an option that can or will be allowed. A full assault on Iran is needed, mass airstrike with the goal of leveling cities and wiping out 75% of their population. This and only this will eliminate them as a threat.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:36 am | Reply
  46. Matt

    I feel bad for Israel. Their county is in the worst place in the world. Every country around them hates them. The US needs to support ISRAELI military action. It really does feel that that Obama doesn't want Israel to do anything because it is an election year. Action needs to happen NOW against Iran. They've been given enough chances to comply

    FYI: Read the 7 day war, you'll understand that Israel's survival depends on it making pre-emptive strikes.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:38 am | Reply
    • Mark Stealer

      Obama doesnt care about anything but being re elected. He will allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon and we will pay the price. Worst President ever!!!

      March 6, 2012 at 8:40 am | Reply
      • UNARN THE AGGRESSOR

        Mark Stealer you're the worst person alive you worthless stinking rightwing mother f-ing trailer trash!

        March 6, 2012 at 8:48 am |
      • Dance This Mess Around

        - – - DONT FEED THE TROLL – - -

        Mark Stealer

        Obama doesnt care about anything but being re elected. He will allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon and we will pay the price. Worst President ever!!!

        March 6, 2012 at 12:04 pm |
  47. kingkong

    the problem here are the end games predicted by the various religions, the capability of creating nuclear winter by regimes in control of nuclear devices, and the leaders of such regimes really believing in what the bronze age dated books predict.
    every human wants to be a hero, couple that trait with a crazy in charge and......

    March 6, 2012 at 8:42 am | Reply
  48. Mindless Brainwashed Fools

    "Should military force be an option to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power?"

    To the 64% of people who voted "Yes", will you dumb brainwashed goyim be the first to enlist will war starts?

    March 6, 2012 at 8:50 am | Reply
    • Sure not a Western poll

      only 64% of Israel is calling for a strike?

      March 6, 2012 at 9:04 am | Reply
  49. George Sears

    Iran's ambitions can not be credibly seen as peaceful, they state their bellicose intentions consistently. How could anyone entertain the notion that their nuclear program is simply for peaceful purposes?

    Deterrence only works where there is the expectation of the rational calculation of risk. Unfortunately religious fervor tends towards the irrational. The fundamentalist religious character of Iran's governance makes for extraordinary uncertainty that rational choices will prevail. Who can predict what supposedly divine voices they respond to?

    The genesis of the nuclear issue in the Middle East lies squarely with Israel. Once they introduced nuclear weapons into the mix it was inevitable that some actor would eventually respond in kind. Unfortunately there was no American foresight in this regard in terms of deterring the creation of the first nuclear power in the region, and by the nation that represents the greatest affront to the Arabs. Israel acts out of the frame of reference of the Holocaust and repeated Arab-Israeli wars and the non-stop violent confrontation with Arab terrorist elements - they have been in a constant state of war for nearly 70 years. They have survived by striking back with a vengeance - no halfhearted measures will do. This makes them an especially dangerous regional actor as well.

    The notion of using a carrot and stick approach to Iran fails to take into account the real nature of their ambitions - Religious Hegemony, and the resurgence of the Iranian historic role in the region. What would the carrot be, other than a lifting of sanctions and a return to the status quo. This will hardly deflect them from their core their ambitions.

    America needs to respond to the reality at hand. The U.S. should be doing everything possible to anticipate the total interruption of the supply of oil from the Gulf. The fact that this essential life line remains dependent on transit through the Straits of Hormuz represents a horrific liability that has been ignored for far too long. Alternatives, though costly, are not out of the realm of the possible - and would cost far less than the consequences of not very seriously pursuing them. A pipeline that would supply a port, or ports in Oman is not so farfetched. It would substantially benefit the key gulf state oil producing nations and would remove the possibility of Iran holding 70% of the world supply hostage at will.

    Stacking up military options while ignoring a wide range of alternatives will surely lead to a war we will regret the day after it has started.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:58 am | Reply
    • Dr. Hugh

      the United States is not a peaceful country either. Please study history and learn who in the world has attacked more his neighbor in recent history?
      In fact, if you start thinking outside the box, you will see that no one likes the United States, and please do not come with that BS that is because the other countries envy you guys, I believe the word despise would be more appropriate. Why that? Simple: You guys think you own the world. You guys can have nuclear weapons, but other countries can't, you guys fell in the right to attack other nations, hang their leaders and then leave the country at its own mercy. Take a close look at Iraq, take a look in Vietnam, take a look at Afghanistan, take a look at all the countries that the neocolonialism of United States has attacked?
      Would you be happy if other countries were sending threats to the the States? Or course not, why? Because the United States is a sovereign nation and should not be threatened. The United States should also respect the sovereign of other nations and so should Iran, Israel, and all nations.
      The army should be used to defend a nation, not to turn a nation controller of the world.
      Look at most of my fellow American in these posts, just because the US is the single most powerful nation int he world, they believe that they should go around invading other nations. Just be careful, go back to your history books and learn from the ancient superpowers like Babylon, Rome, and even recently Spain and Portugal who even divided the earth between the two of them...where are they now??

      March 6, 2012 at 10:30 am | Reply
      • Logic101

        The U.S. is as peaceful as it needs to be. LET THE DOGS LOOSE ON IRAN or we will all perish.

        March 6, 2012 at 8:06 pm |
      • Case

        Doctor of what, Abdul? hehehe...

        March 7, 2012 at 5:25 pm |
  50. joe d

    64% riiiight..how about excluding dirtbags in Israel from voting on this joke of a poll

    March 6, 2012 at 8:59 am | Reply
  51. WHAT DOES THE NATIONAL POLL SAY ABOUT A WAR WITH IRAN

    99% of Americans are opposed to an attack on Iran! 99% of Great Britain oppose an attack! 99% of France oppose an attack! 99% of Italians oppose an attack! 99% of Germans oppose an attack! 99% of Russians oppose an attack! 100% of China oppose an attack! 100% of the Arab/Islamic/Muslim world oppose an attack! The Arab League, the European Union and the United Nations are against such an attack! The only country in the world calling for such an attack is Israel! The world community says no war! I rest my case!

    March 6, 2012 at 9:00 am | Reply
    • wes

      Did you know thay 86% of statistics Are made up on the spot?

      March 6, 2012 at 9:07 am | Reply
    • Taskmaster

      I can take a poll on any subject and make that poll say anything that I want it to.If I want a poll to say "we should not attack Iran" I go to a muslim area to take that poll.If I want apoll to say "we should support welfare increases" I go the poor areas of a state. Polls are just another way of the poll takers trying to sway the people with lies.

      March 6, 2012 at 9:28 am | Reply
  52. joe d

    no more wars for the turdstain called israel

    AIPAC/Israel=9/11

    March 6, 2012 at 9:02 am | Reply
    • kingkong

      you are not a rational player in this discussion. you must be treated like the turd you describe.

      March 6, 2012 at 9:06 am | Reply
    • kingkong

      so much hate in your statement. you obviously were not breastfed as a little moron.

      March 6, 2012 at 9:07 am | Reply
    • Taskmaster

      No more looking the other way for Islamic camalcrap countries.

      March 6, 2012 at 9:31 am | Reply
  53. cj

    The reality is no one trusts in any reasoning to preventative attack another nation. Our politicians, regardless of party, are full blown liars. It's always a safer bet to assume what they tell you is in some way a self serving half truth meant to mislead you.

    What we really need to worry about are all the things they tell us they have 'under control' and 'not to worry about'.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:10 am | Reply
  54. joe d

    how israel lies the U.S. into wars

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Special_Plans

    israel is the U.S.A's Frankenstein...a mental retarded monster without a brain..it is the worst investment in U.S. history and will be dropped like the turd that it is...this poll is a joke..95% are against in a msnbc poll..jewnn news is a joke

    March 6, 2012 at 9:24 am | Reply
    • Dan

      its like a tar baby

      March 6, 2012 at 10:46 am | Reply
    • Dance This Mess Around

      95% of the people posting here think you are stupid.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:33 pm | Reply
  55. KEKC

    There is no other option but to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Yes, this means a preventive strike.
    But let someone else do this this time for a change – why everyone expects USA to be "the bad guy" and do the dirty job so that everyone else blames our country for the collateral damage? Let Israel, France or Germany spend their money this time.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:27 am | Reply
  56. Smith

    The term "Arabian Gulf" is wrong and the correct terminology is Persian Gulf. When does not know common geographical names, then his views on such complex events are totally rubbish. He does not know what he is talking about. Another war monger trying to pass in as a sheep.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:31 am | Reply
    • Logic101

      CNN is notoriously fact-challenged. ANd definitely lefist/pacifist pro-muslim leaning.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:10 pm | Reply
  57. joe d

    you know when 95% of AIPAC congress which has a all time approval rating of 9% approves of what the turdstain called israel does only prove's that the joke called israel is toxic to the majority of average Americans (with no dual citizenship)

    March 6, 2012 at 9:33 am | Reply
  58. joe d

    pretty sad when 2% of the U.S. population controls our foreign policy...very dangerous for real Americans...

    March 6, 2012 at 9:37 am | Reply
  59. D Sybert

    The only thing missing from the article is the White House letterhead. Total talking points ....

    March 6, 2012 at 9:41 am | Reply
  60. Jones

    This article leaves out one big option. Hit Iran with our massive air power and wipe it from the earth. There would be no fear of retaliation from them, because they would no longer exist.
    Wake up people, Imanutjob is just playing a cat and mouse waiting game and is asking " Is it ready yet?" This man will use a nuke as soon as he has one operational.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:43 am | Reply
  61. Georgia Hull

    As an American citizen I support letting the UN do their job to make Iran come under the law. I do not support America using our military or biological weapons against the Iranians or any country. I do support the elimination of America's dependence on oil. Fund and make mandatory electric cars, trains and trucks. Give every American who turns in their oil dependent car double off on a new low priced electric vehicle. Subsidize the American workers for once.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:45 am | Reply
  62. joe d

    israel is like the red headed mentally retarded inbred spoiled child that no one wants to play with..or the spoiled chlid that klills the neighbors pet for no reason then goes running to hide behind big sugar daddy USA's pant leg crying "daddy daddy help me....son why did you kill their pet? daddy dadday it was thorwing rocks at me..it was launching bottle rockets at me..it looked at me wrong...it had a nuclear weapon" enough with the turd that cried wolf..it's time for Daddy to take the spoiled Israel's turd filld diaper and smear it in spolied little israel's face and make him eat it..here's a matza ball for you phyco son ...enough is enough.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:50 am | Reply
    • Neko

      You are a pathetic moron. You better hurry, the short bus just pulled up.

      March 7, 2012 at 8:47 am | Reply
  63. David

    Waiting is no longer an option. Waiting is just continuing to play with a building fire. Any military strike against Iran is inevitable, possibly as early as this Spring, I predict. Iran MUST BE stopped, and Russia and China need to not step in the way.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:56 am | Reply
  64. Ben

    It's their country, let them do what they want, Iran cant ever be a serious threat to us, we cant even run our own country so what makes us think we can tell someone else how to run theirs? Iran has never dropped 2 atom bombs on non combatent men, women and children, we did.

    March 6, 2012 at 10:18 am | Reply
  65. HPUCK

    Stay the hell out of Iran. This country, no matter who is in charge, will never learn.Vietnam, Irag and Afganistan. Quit letting Israel dictate our foreign polcy. Let the countries in the middle east deal with Iran. Do you really think that countries like Russia and China being that close to Iran are going to allow a nuclear war.

    March 6, 2012 at 10:25 am | Reply
  66. Total non Sense

    Iran MUST BE completly DESTROYED. PERIOD. there is just no way arround it. you cannot let a religious (a mental illness) crackpot have nukes. it is as simple as that.

    March 6, 2012 at 10:26 am | Reply
  67. BB

    Wait for what? Is there any doubt that Iran has continued its march to acquire nuclear weapons? They have lied at every opportunity to simply give themselves more time. If you are dealing with a sociopath do you wait for them to grow a conscience? No, you take action. If we are waiting for actions to take affect then yes, you could wait but waiting for a leadership that has no conscience, that has never shown any sliver of redemption is to simply play Russian roulette. If anyone at this point is crossing their fingers and waiting for an epiphany by the Irianian leadership you are dillusional. Nothing short of a complete overthrow of the Iranian government will work.

    March 6, 2012 at 10:38 am | Reply
  68. Dan

    Israel is the biggest terrorist state in the middle east

    March 6, 2012 at 10:45 am | Reply
  69. joe d

    how israel lies the U.S. into wars

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Special_Plans

    March 6, 2012 at 10:54 am | Reply
  70. James Christ (nephew of Jesus)

    Iran is an evil rogue state H*** bent on destroying the world because of its out of date (ancient) beliefs. They will use any nuclear weapon as fast as they can make them without regards to how many millions of people they kill as long as their people survive. They somehow think they are God's chosen. Shows how conceited they are. God loves everyone, even the evil (sinners) people of Iran. Better to kill them off and only lose one country if it means saving the rest of the world.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:05 am | Reply
  71. rightospeak

    The risks for war are well presented. Why would Iran want nuclear plants for generating electricity ? Because their oil will run out sometime in the future. Why have nukes ? Because of terrorist activities of Israel which has nukes-Carter said so and other important people. If the warmongers remain arrogant they just may risk annihilation of the Holy Land , which they probably can not magine.
    From a military standpoint , a small piece of land called Israel , causing so much turmoil in the world ,is a desirable target with many benefits. Destruction of such a small peace of land would benefit many nations and I am sure they are all thinking about it. Arrogance of Israeli leadership may just cost them their lives-not a good option. Unfortunately, it is impossible to talk reason with fanatics. There are too many of them in the Middle East and it will lead eventully to destruction .

    March 6, 2012 at 11:10 am | Reply
  72. Trance

    Bomb the heck out of them, just don't spend a dime rebuilding what we bombed!

    March 6, 2012 at 11:13 am | Reply
  73. J Geheran

    Mr. Cordesman presents a well-reasoned argument for "the waiting option". But what if Iran has already crossed the " red line"? Evidence is mounting that Iran is in the "perfecting" stages of their WMD having already tested one or more nukes in North Korea. If the West had exercised the "waiting option" in 1940, it is not unlikely that most of us would be having this conversation in German. That said, the best option might be to keep Israel out of any preemptive action so as not to antagonize " friendly" Arab states.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:15 am | Reply
  74. Dan

    History is a lesson book people forget to read. Waiting is only playing into Iranian plans. This is the same play book used by the North Koreans. Talk, obfuscate, pretend to comply, reset and ask for more talks – it's nothing but a delaying tactic while centrifuges work night and day to enrich uranium to reach multiple bomb capacity. The appeasers are always on the sidelines cheering the loudest for "talks' while some dictators and some evil regimes use them for their own ends. Some "bad people" are simply unreachable through diplomacy. They only understand the pressure of force. Iran's current leadership fits this mold. And now Obama has blinked multiple times – including his recent statement a couple of days ago saying "people are talking too much about war." That statement is surprising for a President to make. It is simply perceived as weakness by Iran, and might have even been a signal that Obama lacks the resolve to stop Iran's push for the bomb. This President is leading us the wrong way.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:18 am | Reply
  75. Annexian

    Come ON people, I can NOT believe the poll... (showing 70% for)

    What about the last 10 years? A stupid war that was a pushover in a day but then our troops got to stand as "Operation human target" while toddlers were used as shields by insurgents but they got drummed out of the service for destroying a dog... And the "No-Bid" contractors and countless other profiteers made a dime for every dollar borrowed from China in our names.

    If a "Nuclear Iran" has to be stopped at any cost, well what about an already nuclear ISRAEL!?

    Really, "Follow the Money"

    Just look who profitted by 9/11.

    1. Dubya. Instead of a 6 month lame duck presidency, he had more power than almost any president in history. He used it to:
    2. Bankroll the globalist bankers. Look how rich the rich got, and when the economy collapsed from their lies and bleeding, well they got even richer.
    3. Last but not least, Israel. People wanted peace, problem is they wanted brutal WAR against their neighbors, backed up by the threat of US retaliation. But that was becoming less and less popular, and WW2 is fading into memory so there's not the guilt trip they can milk.
    --After all, note that Israel had a left leaning leader who was assassinated by a young supporter of the hyper militant right leader, and I think they released him from prison... And then also they published a statement in a Jewish newspaper openly talking about assassinating Obama "By Mossad agents embedded in the USA"...

    Notice how Dubya told people not to believe the "Conspiracy Theories" that'd arise from 9/11... Well, obviously he was part of them, likely as a pathetic puppet.

    Really, "Follow the money"... What if you were some 3rd party "Professional investigator" from somewhere else. Would you see a clash of cultures/ideology, or would you see the likelihood of sickening corruption for no other reason than criminally bleeding a great country dry to enrich a few people?

    March 6, 2012 at 11:24 am | Reply
  76. Doozer

    Everybody should try this.
    I just did it to make sure it still works.
    Type this into your browser window......Backwards.....
    type "illuminati backwards like this.....

    http://www.itanimulli.com................

    Press enter......YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT WHAT COMES UP !!!!!!

    March 6, 2012 at 11:27 am | Reply
  77. alan

    going to war in the name of "peace" is just like killing cancer patients in the name of "medicine"

    there is no way to peace, peace is the way

    March 6, 2012 at 11:27 am | Reply
    • Ben

      Once the Germans started WWII, what brought peace finally?

      March 6, 2012 at 11:43 am | Reply
      • alan

        Hitlers suicide

        March 6, 2012 at 11:45 am |
      • alan

        you don't win wars by killing soldiers, you win by removing the leaders from power.

        March 6, 2012 at 11:46 am |
    • Dance This Mess Around

      *** alan

      you don't win wars by killing soldiers, you win by removing the leaders from power.
      ---------------------------------------

      And how do you get to the leader, when his army is in your way ?
      You seem to have all of the answers, moron.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:37 pm | Reply
      • sliv3r16

        I'm also pretty sure we're fighting Al-Qaida. Eventhough, you know, we "removed their leader".

        March 6, 2012 at 1:27 pm |
    • alan

      the only way to win the war on terror, is to refuse to fight it, or let it affect you.
      terrorism
      1.the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.
      2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
      i would say our actions have proven we have already lost. you wont to end the war on terror? its really very simple, end the war on terror. if you allow terrorism to sway your beliefs or actions, then you have already lost.

      March 6, 2012 at 2:00 pm | Reply
  78. ukrjew

    to Zack Goldstein. You have to learn the History. You are just a stupid, naive liberal shmack.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:40 am | Reply
    • Laura

      Thanks God, there are smart people among Jews like Zack Goldstein, who say truth about Israel and their leaders. The right-wing extremists in Israel as much dangerous to the world peace as the regime they want to bomb, and the most who are vulnerable because of it are Jews in Israel, because with such politics in the Middle East it causes more hate and less security for Jews and for rest of us.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:30 pm | Reply
      • Neko

        Fatmah, we all know that Zack is not jewish silly girl.

        March 7, 2012 at 8:52 am |
    • Dance This Mess Around

      ukrjew

      to Zack Goldstein. You have to learn the History. You are just a stupid, naive REPUBLICAN
      shmack.

      Fixed.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:38 pm | Reply
  79. Ben

    Hey, it worked for Britain and France in the 1930s...they waited and waited for Germany to come around and finally, they did. They came around the Maginot Line and almost came around the channel.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:42 am | Reply
  80. P-man

    What if during the many years that the US was building nuclear capabilities, some country decided, 'hey, they can't do that – we will invade them.' What would we do and think? Of course if would start a war and we would hate that nation forever. Just what the US has been doing with it's pre-emptive strikes in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran?

    March 6, 2012 at 11:42 am | Reply
    • Dance This Mess Around

      What if.........Questions are really stupid.

      March 6, 2012 at 12:39 pm | Reply
  81. newshoundtoo

    it is a mistake to say "israel" does this or that and not understand that Israel is part of the fabric of western culture and does not act alone, no matter what it appears to be doing. Israel takes the heat for a lot of what more powerful nations want it to do. think it over: would Israel really jeopardize its funding and support in every way from the rest of the western powers? of course not. so, if you are reading this, and enjoying life in the west, you are part of Israel's actions because you are enjoying the protection of the western nation you live in. That's how it works. You are Israel. Israel is you. Don't pretend anymore Israel is your enemy. It works for your benefit in the short and long run – and you are happy it does, or you would move to a less free nation and enjoy your principles while triple locking your doors, hiding the female members of your household, dodging police and bullets, and on some days, or many, spending your time looking for food.

    March 6, 2012 at 12:06 pm | Reply
  82. SYRIANS =IRAN=HIZBOALLAH= TERRORISTS, KOS OMAHATKUM YA SHIIA

    IRAN IS THE ROOT FO ALL EVIL,, THEY ARE HELPING THE TERRORISTS HIZBOALLAH TO GO AND KILL PEOPLE IN SYRIA, THEY ARE HELPING IRAQI TERRORISTS TO GO AND KILL SUNNI IN SYRIA, THEY ARE HELPING BADER ARMY IN IRAQ, QODOS ARMY, MAHDI MILITIA, ASHAB AL HAQ AND MAKING TROUBLE IN IRAQ, BAHRAIN, LEBANON, HAMAS AND DESTABELIZA THE COUNTRIES, GIVE MONEY TO THEM AND TO RUSSIA SO RUSSIA SEND MORE WEAPON TO SYRIA AND HIZBOALLAH. ATTACK NIRAN NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND MAKE NO MSITAKE WHEN IRAN IS READY THEY WILL ATTACK ISRAEL AND THEY WILL WIPE ISRAEL AND THE OIL FIELDS IN MIDDLEAST. NOW IS THE TIME TO ATTACK IRAN AND WIPE THOSE EVIL FROM THE MAP WE MUST TAKE THEM FOR LUNCH BEFORE THEY TAKE US TO DINNER. FK IRAN FK KHOMINI FK ALI AND AHMAD NEJAD FK AL SESTANI AND ALL IRAN EMAMS AND MULLAS, FK IRAN LADIES THEY ARE GOOD FOR MOTAA KOS OMAHATKUM YA SHIIA YA KELAB

    March 6, 2012 at 12:09 pm | Reply
    • alan

      Iran is the root of all evil? you cant be serious....go back to school you war monger, Iran has not aggressively invaded another country in over 100 years

      March 6, 2012 at 12:17 pm | Reply
      • Dance This Mess Around

        Right.
        They just arm Hezbollah to attack Israel.
        Saints, every one of them.

        March 6, 2012 at 12:41 pm |
      • alan

        @Dance This Mess Around, I'm not defending them, i just think we are hypocrites, we did the same thing with Al-Qaeda to fight the Russians, and we did the same thing with Iran to fight the Iraqis during the first gulf war.
        America creates more problems then it solves.
        but providing military support and invading other countries are two very different things, i do not support either one, but you should know the difference.
        i do not think Iran is innocent, but bombing them will solve nothing, will cost thousands of life's, and only make them hate us even more.

        March 6, 2012 at 1:51 pm |
  83. RickyL

    The US does not need another Iraq.

    March 6, 2012 at 12:13 pm | Reply
  84. William Wilberforce

    The Koran,Islam's holy book,envisions a world in which Islam will eventually dominate the entire globe.Failure to understand this basic fact blinds many Western leaders to the overall goal ooo of Muslim leaders who take their religion seriously. Some Muslims ,predominately Shiites,believe in a coming Islamic Messiah whom they refer to as the mahdi,meaning "guided one". This mahdi,they believe,will lead Islam to what t hey believe to be its rightful place as the dominant religion over the entire world,with followers of other religions either forced to convert or put in subjugation to Islam.Though such religious fervor seems far fetched to those largely secular and irreligious West,some Islamic leaders are quite open in stating this as their belief and ultimate goal.For example,in his last there speeches before the UN general assembly(2009,2010,2011) the Iranian president Ahmadinejad expressed his ultimate desire for the World- a new age in which the mahdi would come and establish Islam as the religion for all mankind in a world governed by the Koran (sharia law). Notice these excerpts: "praise be to Allah, the lord of the universe, and peace be upon our master Muhammad...O God hasten the arrival of Imam Mahdi" UN speech in 2009. Sept. 23

    March 6, 2012 at 12:21 pm | Reply
  85. IRANIANS ARE MONKEY BRAIN KLOS OMHATKUM

    IRAN IS BULL SH...IT , THEY TAKE ALL THE TECHNOLOGY FROM INDIA, CHINA AND NORTHJ KOREA THEY BRING THE SPARE PARTS AND THEN RUSSIA HELPING THEM TO PUT IT TOGATHER AND THGE IRANIANS BRING THE TEA AND COFFEE WHILE THE OTHER WORK AND ASSEMBLE THE WEAPONS ALL IRAN CAN DO IS TO MAKE A LARGER FULE TANKS AND THEN PUT SOME PRAYERS ON THE ROCKET AND YA HUSSAIN YA ALI AND ALL THESE BULS...HIT SUPERTISCIOUS SHI T, THOSE EVIL CULT WANT TO DESTROY THE WORLD USING OTHER PEOPLE TECHNOLOGY AND PUT IRANIAN NAME ON IT LIKE AL SEHAB AL HUASSAIN FK YOU IRAN. IRAN WILL FALL IN THE FIRST 3 DAYS OF THE ATTACK, HELP MOJAHEDI KHALQ, HELP THE IRAN SUNNI , ARBESTAN, IRAN KURDS AND LURE, TURKS AND ASSYRIANS, MORE THAN 45 OTHER GROUP LIKE BAHAII AND PERSIANS WE MUST ALL ATTACK IRAN FROM INSIDE AND OUT SIDE, CUT THE FOOD SUPPLIES AND MEDICIN LET THOSE IDIOTS GO THERE GOD AND MEET THE 40 VERGIN..THOSE SHIIA ARE EVIL CULT.....ATTACK THEM NOW BEFORTE IT IS TOO LATE

    March 6, 2012 at 12:26 pm | Reply
  86. rene of mandeville

    okay not a good idea for anyone to do prevent war. only will start real war. now let us get real and state that the atom bomb community in Iran needs to vacate and then assist them (either to heaven or undisclosed third country). I agree with the 40% on CNN. no more wars for the United States. we have done our duty for the protection of the planet. Tell Kagan it time for someone else to set up. Listen to Dr. Paul. he right and Mitt Newt Beji Rick and Barry are all wrong

    March 6, 2012 at 12:33 pm | Reply
  87. ........................IRANIANS ARE MONKEY BRAIN KOS OMHATKUM

    ...................IRAN IS BULL SH...IT , THEY TAKE ALL THE TECHNOLOGY FROM INDIA, CHINA AND NORTHJ KOREA THEY BRING THE SPARE PARTS AND THEN RUSSIA HELPING THEM TO PUT IT TOGATHER AND THGE IRANIANS BRING THE TEA AND COFFEE WHILE THE OTHER WORK AND ASSEMBLE THE WEAPONS ALL IRAN CAN DO IS TO MAKE A LARGER FULE TANKS AND THEN PUT SOME PRAYERS ON THE ROCKET AND YA HUSSAIN YA ALI AND ALL THESE BULS...HIT SUPERTISCIOUS SHI T, THOSE EVIL CULT WANT TO DESTROY THE WORLD USING OTHER PEOPLE TECHNOLOGY AND PUT IRANIAN NAME ON IT LIKE AL SEHAB AL HUASSAIN FK YOU IRAN. IRAN WILL FALL IN THE FIRST 3 DAYS OF THE ATTACK, HELP MOJAHEDI KHALQ, HELP THE IRAN SUNNI , ARBESTAN, IRAN KURDS AND LURE, TURKS AND ASSYRIANS, MORE THAN 45 OTHER GROUP LIKE BAHAII AND PERSIANS WE MUST ALL ATTACK IRAN FROM INSIDE AND OUT SIDE, CUT THE FOOD SUPPLIES AND MEDICIN LET THOSE IDIOTS GO THERE GOD AND MEET THE 40 VERGIN..THOSE SHIIA ARE EVIL CULT.....ATTACK THEM NOW BEFORTE IT IS TOO LATE......................

    March 6, 2012 at 12:35 pm | Reply
  88. Ed from Oregon

    What are we waiting for? Till they actually have the bomb? Are our leaders so blinded that they cannot see what is right in their faces? Do you really think these islamic fanatics want peace? The only peace they know is, one, death, or two, one dominant religion. We need to cut the head off of this perverse society and eliminate that threat now.

    March 6, 2012 at 12:36 pm | Reply
  89. Dance This Mess Around

    One death is a tragedy.
    A million deaths is a statistic.

    Stalin.

    March 6, 2012 at 12:43 pm | Reply
  90. Ivan

    The country that has any issues with Iran are the Israelis and their American puppet president.

    So tell me why should Israel be the only one to have Nuclear capability in the region and no one else?

    So here Israel is the aggressor just like in all the other wars they have started.

    Oh and then they come crying to the USA.

    oh please come help us we are being picked on and attacked.

    We have No business helping Israel in any way.

    March 6, 2012 at 1:06 pm | Reply
    • Chimo

      Yes we do Ivan, they are our best ally in the MidEast, they are our eyes and ears out there you fool. You don't know one thing about how important out relationship with Israel is, and that is why you and those who think like you are total losers. Iran is a country controlled by religious nuts who think Allah is going to destroy everyone they don't like starting with the jews. It's already been tried before Ivan, and nazi Germany was utterly destroyed, and 70 years later, the strong Jewish State of Israel can take out anyone tries to wipe us out again. We need to destroy the government of Iran

      March 6, 2012 at 1:57 pm | Reply
      • Ivan

        Hate to tell you the bad news “We have NO friends in the Middle East”

        Where was Israel during 9/11, did they try to stop it?

        Did our friends the Israelis help us after?

        Were they there with us in Afghanistan?

        Don’t even start with Nazi Germany.

        If you say that Iran is controlled by religious nuts.

        The same goes true for Israel. They care only about their own survival.

        They do not care about the consequences of their actions.

        On June 8, 1967 Israeli forces attacked USS Liberty with full knowledge that this was an American ship,they killed 34 brave men.

        So once again I say “We have NO friends in the Middle East”

        March 6, 2012 at 2:24 pm |
      • KG

        I totally agree with Ivan. Israel is about Israel. Plain and simple. Let them strike another country by themselves. Very disappointed with Obama. His foreign policy is identical to Bush. RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        March 6, 2012 at 3:23 pm |
      • Neko

        Hey Abdul, how do you know that Israel did not do anything?

        March 7, 2012 at 8:55 am |
  91. McCain-in-4

    I would suggest that sanctions against Iran would be suitable – even if sanctions are in place for 50 years. A nuclear capable Iran is very much a boondoggle because a Muslim nuclear attack against Jersusalem would provoke a similar attack against the other two Islamic holy sites. An unspoke policy of Mutually Assured Destruction, as Kissenger coined it, against these three sites would tame Iranian urges.

    On second thought – an Isralei strike in Iran probably the only rational response. Turns out the other two holy sites are in Saudi Arabia, and it would give Iran great joy to inflict pain & suffering on their neighbors.

    March 6, 2012 at 1:09 pm | Reply
  92. URGENT- iran is spying on usa and other embassies inside iraq

    معلومات خطيره وتحذير / الى كل العراقيين الذين يستخدمون خط شبكة زين للاتصالات

    urgent information , our informants in al zeen net work in iraq discovered that iranians officers withg the

    help of iraqi shiia thugs of nori al maleki are spying on iraqis cell phone and home phones, recording all conversations

    specially on sunni people of iraq. This centre of spying located in a safe house in al mansoor district close to the green zone in baghdad

    controled bt 4 officers from iran ,from etela3at the iran spy agency, and one from qodos army,and the central iran iuntelegent service

    they also using this center to spy on usa, canada, uk and all other embassies and send all the details to Iran.

    كشف احد العاملين في شبكة زين للاتصالات ان الشبكه مسيطر عليها من قبل الاطلاعات الايرانيه حيث فتح مركز اتصالات متطور في احد البيوت الواقعه في منطقة المنصور يديره اربعه من كبار ضباط الاطلاعات والحرس الثوري ويعمل معهم عدد من العراقيين هذا المركز يقوم بمراقبة جميع الاتصالات على الهواتف النقاله وتسجيل المكالمات ويعتبر هذا المركز من اهم مراكز التجسس على مستخدمي خط زين من اقصى شمال العراق الى اقصى جنوبه وشرقه وغربه .

    March 6, 2012 at 1:11 pm | Reply
    • Gopherit

      The gigantic U.S. embassy in Baghdad essentially exists to be a regional spying center and basicaly is impenetrable. Any spying conducted in the area if that does exist is minuscule compared with American intelligence gathering activities.

      March 6, 2012 at 1:20 pm | Reply
  93. Gopherit

    Iran's ruling mullahs know well that if they were to launch a nuclear first strike (with the unproven assumption that they actually have nuclear weapons and ones capable of missile warhead status) against Israel, Iran would be decimated by an Israeli retiatory srike involving their already clandestinely developed nuclear weapons stockpile.

    There is quite a lot of anti-Iran propaganda being aired which basically paints Iran as being ruled by madmen who are determined to develop nuclear weapons which are to be used in a first-stike onslaught. The danger of war actually is more attributable to Israel and the U.S,, and the war hawks are aring their vendettas on radio so-called talk shows to fan the flames of war. As the article notes, the consequences of war against Iran could actually could be more devastating to the U.S. and the American public than most people can imagine. At the least, energy prices could skyrocket.

    March 6, 2012 at 1:13 pm | Reply
  94. siddharth

    only mutual faith of U.S and iran with patience and diplomatic and friendly dialog can solve this problem otherwise the whole world will burn in hell. the simple logic behind this is that when a tea pot is on stove you should not touch it with hands directly otherwise your own hands can get burned. so have patience and use a cloth and then lift the pot carefully.

    March 6, 2012 at 1:18 pm | Reply
  95. IRAN IS EVIL

    OBAMA MUST ATTACK QUM NAJAF KARBALA TEHRAN AND HIT THE MULLAS HOMES AND MADRASSA BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE INSIDE IRAN AND IRAQI SHIIA THUGS SYRIA WILL FALL WHEN IRAN WILL BE GONE...BY BY IRAN

    March 6, 2012 at 1:27 pm | Reply
    • Txjack

      yes let Obama start WWIII.

      You are a fool

      March 6, 2012 at 2:33 pm | Reply
    • Warhater

      Get your facts right!!! Iran has never attacked any country.
      The terrorist were from "US Friendly countries" – Saudi & Pakistan............
      In a country where Fox news get top rating, people can just imagine how ignorant the masses here are.
      Read some history before making comments.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:35 pm | Reply
  96. A Khan

    Oppose any more war in this world to protect our citizens. Let our nation go to its own way, don't tolerate to dictate by other nation(s) what US should do.

    March 6, 2012 at 1:33 pm | Reply
  97. History Reminder

    Waiting sure worked with Hitler.

    March 6, 2012 at 1:37 pm | Reply
    • Matt P

      I couldn't agree more. What many do not want to see is that Ahmadinejad is that lone nut who would walk onto a college campus and start shooting because thats what god told him to do.

      March 6, 2012 at 1:55 pm | Reply
  98. Matt P

    What would Winston Churchill have said about Iran and the current nuclear standoff? Would he have said be patient these are reasonable leaders who truly mean no harm, they're just using this as a catalyst to open negotiations for something they want. Or, would Churchill have said the Iranian leadership believe that Allah is directing them to develop and deploy nuclear weapons with great indifference of the consequences therefore we had better be prepared to do whatever is necessary to stop them.

    March 6, 2012 at 1:51 pm | Reply
  99. Deryk Houston

    Hard to believe that this man, Anthony H. Cordesman, could possibly make the statement "We may have to use force against Iran"...... after carefully laying out all the reasons why an attack on Iran would clearly be the most stupid thing to do.
    This is the crux of our problem really.... reasonable smart people like Mr. Cordesman making public statements as he has done above.
    Kennedy asked at the peak of the Cuban missile crises , why a room full of smart people could have worked their way down the path of war.
    Well........ Mr. Cordesman shows you how. They know the madness of it all and yet they just can't contain themselves because they think they still know what is best for the world.
    The best answer to our problems is to respect international law. Treat Iran as a fair and equal partner. It signed the treaty to allow inspections on it's nuclear facilities. If you want to inspect certain sites.....then follow the rules for inspecting sensitive sites. Don;t try to jump over the fence like a bunch of cowboys with no respect for those rules or illegally share information about sensitive sites or any site with other countries.
    This is how we create a safe world. Not by bullying with a carrot and a stick. That kind of approach has already been proven not to work. A man like Mr. Cordesman .... of all people ....with his credentials...should know better.

    March 6, 2012 at 2:12 pm | Reply
  100. Adam H

    If all of the "Iran has a right to nuclear weapons" crowd were in charge there would eventually be no US. I say deport all of the traitors to the middle east! where they belong!

    March 6, 2012 at 2:17 pm | Reply
  101. BRIAN S.

    I WOULD GIVE IRAN A TWO WEEK WINDOW BEGINNING YESTERDAY, TO ALLOW NUCLEAR SPECIALISTS FROM THE WEST TO DETERMINE WHAT EXACTLY THEY ARE UP TO. THIS COULD BE DONE ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO ENSURE IT IS FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES. SHOULD IRAN DECIDE AT ANY TIME NOT TO CO-OPERATE, THEN CLEARLY THEIR MISSION IS NOT FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES. AT WHICH POINT, MILITARY INTERVENTIONS BECOMES THE ONLY SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE.

    March 6, 2012 at 2:24 pm | Reply
  102. Trace

    The difference between an Iranian attack and an Israeli attack is that Israel will attack military targets and the Iranians would attack civilian targets

    March 6, 2012 at 2:36 pm | Reply
    • haha

      yeah right

      March 6, 2012 at 4:59 pm | Reply
    • Muhammad

      just like they did in Gaza a couple of years ago right???

      March 6, 2012 at 6:57 pm | Reply
    • Muhammad

      the problem at hand is of GW making, he empowered the iranians in iraq and gave them access to the country, he allowed them access to the Iraqi scientests. There was no reason the US should support the iranian backed shiit faith people in Iraq there were other shiits that were not affiliated with iran but US insisted on supporting the iran shiits

      March 6, 2012 at 7:01 pm | Reply
  103. Jerry2002

    We should not go to war unless we are attacked. It's hilarious to read all the ignorance spewed above by people who
    nothing of Iran – though experts in their own mind. Iran is not an aggressive nation. Comparisons are made to Hitler – of all people – but Hitler was an aggressor who invaded other countries in order to conquer and absorb them. When did Iran ever do that? Khamani is the supreme authority – Ahmandinajad is a joke, with little power and likely soon to be out of office. Khamani is the man with power and he's said two things: atomic weapons – the mere possession of them -
    are anti-Islamic. Secondly he said that Iran had a no first use of weapons policy. Everything he's said is reflected in the actions taken.
    As for possession of the materials and the designs for nuclear weapons w/o an actual weapon – we don't know, just like we didn't know that Saddam had no weapons and no programs to make them. If he were to acquire that capability
    it may be that he feels threatened by the US/Israel/Europeans who all do have atomic weapons. The war hysteria that is building up is so very like that before the Iraq invasion - the feeble attempt to show that some other nation whom we don't like is a real threat to us. That is a laugh.
    Striking Iran, fighting Iran – a nation of 80 million people larger than the state of Texas – may sound good now. But, believe me, if a war breaks out everybody will suffer - including you who are pushing for military action. You will regret it if it ever happens. Remember Iraq! Remember Saddam! Remember how the war turned out. Do you want that again?

    March 6, 2012 at 2:41 pm | Reply
  104. KG

    This country is filled with wide eyed sheep. Why are we going to preemptively strike a country that is not a threat to us? Why? Because Israel says so. Our primary concern should be America, not Israel. Why are we going to risk American lives because Israel is overly aggressive and does not give a damn about America. Israel is about Israel. Nothing more, nothing less. Where was Israel during the Iraqi war? Oh yeah, collecting that $6 billion dollar welfare check from the good ole' USA. Benjamin Netanyahu is a war monger and is hell bent on starting a war. Either everyone should have nuclear weapons or no one should have them. Especially Israel. Israel likes to pull the race card and throw the Holocaust in nations faces every time they are accused of human rights violations against the Palenstinians. Its NOT racist or anti-semitic to disagree with Israel. The oppressed have become the oppressors and they are a major reason there is so much turmoil in the Middle East. My fellow Americans, look at it this way. The British took the Palestinians land from them because the Jews needed a homeland. Addtionally, according to the Bible, the land belonged to them in the first place. Now, can you imagine the United Nations telling the US that they need to give the country back to the Native Americans? Wouldn't happen. This is where the problem emanates from. Israel is a bully and they want American soldiers to die for their cause. How about every Jewish person and non-Jewish person who supports pre-emptive strikes send their children to war to battle it out. I have no problem with that. Justice for ALL people regardless of race, religion etc.

    March 6, 2012 at 2:52 pm | Reply
    • Mike

      Yes!

      March 7, 2012 at 12:07 pm | Reply
  105. Mark

    Read about the 1953 Coup in Iran, history is a great teacher.

    March 6, 2012 at 3:26 pm | Reply
  106. us1776

    If you thought Iraq was tough and a waste, it is nothing compared to what a war with Iran would be.

    Iran is THREE TIMES the size of Iraq with three times the population.

    Iran is far more developed than Iraq. Has a large intelligent professional class.

    No airstrike will ever prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. It will only slow it down slightly.

    To prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapon will take a full scale war and invasion of Iran.

    That will take at least a consortium of 20 nations to conduct the war and it will last at least 5 years.

    It will cost probably 4 times the cost of the Iraq War.

    And the U.S. cannot single-handedly afford to spend 4-6 trillion dollars conducting such a war.

    The reality is that Iran is going to get a nuclear weapon and it is already too late to prevent that.

    Going out and mindlessly bombing Iran is useless because they've located all the critical locations 1/2 mile under a mountain.

    Welcome to reality.

    .

    March 6, 2012 at 4:29 pm | Reply
    • Abdul

      I draw the line when you state that Iran has a large intelligent professional class. Really????

      March 8, 2012 at 12:07 pm | Reply
  107. larry

    PERPETUAL WAR

    This is what radical Conservatism, Communism, M u s l i m Extremism, Israeli Exceptionalism is about.

    The Republican’s goal, to start another war. This will keep Lockheed Martin and Halliburton in the b l a c k. These companies will thank them.

    Thank God we have a Democrat President.

    March 6, 2012 at 4:33 pm | Reply
    • just say no!

      not for much longer.... :D

      March 6, 2012 at 6:12 pm | Reply
    • us1776

      The GOP killed the middle-class and all the consumerism so now the One-Percenters NEED WAR in order to make huge money. Money just vanishes during wars. Just like 20 C-130 cargo planes full of cash vanished in Iraq.

      .

      March 6, 2012 at 6:33 pm | Reply
    • lanse

      isreal can handle this one on its own, our lame president needs to focus on the economy and unemployment, national debt for the 10 millionth time.

      March 6, 2012 at 8:20 pm | Reply
  108. dudders09

    I think everyone is missing the point. There is NO right or wrong answer. There is only what is going to happen. There are probably hundreds of different scenarios that play out in the middle east that lead to different outcomes. I have no clue what the best course of actions is either but at least i can admit it.

    Everyone thinks there is a cut and dry protocol for handling this situation. Attack iran, don't attack iran. If America gets behind an israeli preemptive strike too early without evidence of their malicious intention then holly hell 2003 all over again. If we turn a blind eye and continue to allow Iran to develope nuclear weapons then eventually they will eventually sell them to terrorist networks around the world and god help us.

    All of you say "iran hasn't attacked anyone in XX ammount of years". that is not entirely true. So if you fund terrorists and aid rouge nations in killing innocent ppl are you not engaging in war? Some of you will say america has killed innocent ppl and i would not disaggree. we have been engaged in some shady things but we have done many good things to help countries as well.

    At least MOST of our collateral damage is done with good intentions. There are always casualties of war and when the enemy fights were they sleep they are partially responsible not only american soldiers.

    As the worlds super power sit back for a minute and imagine what countries like Iraq, Iran, Korea, afghanistan would have accomplished with the same power the United States possess. The world would have probably ended a long time ago given the technological advances mankind has seen over the past 50 years.

    March 6, 2012 at 4:49 pm | Reply
  109. Julnor

    Waiting may be the best plan for the US, but if you happen to live in Tel Aviv I'm guessing that it's not a real good strategy.

    March 6, 2012 at 4:55 pm | Reply
  110. larry

    Here is the man that started it all. The Iran/Contra scandal.

    The Iran–Contra scandal (Spanish: caso Irán-contras), also referred to as Irangate, Contragate or Iran-Contra-Gate, was a political scandal in the United States that came to light in November 1986. During the Reagan administration, senior Reagan administration officials and President Reagan secretly facilitated the sale of arms to Iran, the subject of an arms embargo.

    This was a treasonous act. Reagan should have been impeached.

    March 6, 2012 at 5:02 pm | Reply
  111. Muhammad

    This is a war that the US brought on itself. When Iraq was invaded the US used the Iranians and empowered them in Iraq. The US had opptions they could have helped secular eliments of the shiite faith to power but the US insisted on backing up the Iranian eliment for a very strange reason that I can't understand until now. Iran was able to get inside Iraq and gain access to Iraq scientests which were either killed or kidnaped to Iran

    March 6, 2012 at 5:09 pm | Reply
  112. billwitty

    The Zionists and Israel will find a way to drag us inyoo another costly war for us and beneficial one for them... remember war means $$$ for the Zionists, 1%, neocons who are in the pocket of AIPAC!!! Israel = Zionism = AIPAC = US politicians = 1% = destruction of our middle class = Annihilation of the poor!!! Iran war will destroy the entire Middle East, USA & world economy, and wil set the world back decades BUT will bring billions into the pocket of already rich and powerful Zionists!!!

    March 6, 2012 at 5:20 pm | Reply
  113. raeef

    obama has no idea about middl east very slow tht why ibeleve only newt he is going to hit iran and im shur heis going to be the winner in election 2012

    March 6, 2012 at 5:26 pm | Reply
  114. Flyover

    Once again, Israel is backing itself in a corner with all this frivilous talk of nuclear this, holocaust that. The real unfortunately part is that it has push our nation into the same lunacy. At the end of the day, Israel will get what it deserves (and plenty). They have reached the pinnacle of their society/country – it will now be a very steep decline. et's hope we stay out of their psychopathic game.

    March 6, 2012 at 5:31 pm | Reply
  115. George

    We cannot attack Iran. Our alliance with Israel should not exist. In the Middle East whether it is Iran or Palestine Israel tries to fight these countries and then tries hiding behind the United States. So many people in this country are concerned with the nuclear program of Iran. I hate to tell you all, most of the countries in the world have nuclear weapons. Look at the U.S. we have the most nuclear weapons in the world. We are so concerned that Iran will attack us that we are going to let Israel attack Iran. What is wrong with that? We should not get involved. And to Santorum, a man who was dropped on his head as a child, who says President Obama has left Israel, Obama has done everything to protect Israel and is facing a threat that most Presidents do not have to face. Instead of having the republicans throw potent lies into the politics, How about they actually try helping the President?

    March 6, 2012 at 5:33 pm | Reply
    • antiayatolah

      UMM UR REALLY DUMB

      March 9, 2012 at 8:37 pm | Reply
  116. George

    Hey raeef, so after Gingrich so calls "hits iran", do yoy think that he is going to colonize the moon. Maybe he can even make someone as stupid as Sarah Palin the governor of the moon. Gingrich is so ignorant is scary. You say that President Obama doesn't know anything about the middle east, letme give you a list of hsi acheivments: He killed Bin Laden (Something Bush couldn't do in eight years, he ended the Iraq war and he has killed dozens of terrorists (something which Bush couldn't do).

    March 6, 2012 at 5:47 pm | Reply
  117. Tr1Xen

    Bombs away!!!!!

    March 6, 2012 at 6:04 pm | Reply
    • Tr1Xen

      er... aweigh... ;)

      March 6, 2012 at 6:04 pm | Reply
  118. just say no!

    PSSSSH.. ya.. lets wait it out.. this moron running iran.. same kind of idiot that runs N.korea.. tease the world about coming to the table and talking.. making a good show.. then throwing all the inspectors out .. rinse wash and repeat.. as many times as necessary to make the world think you've turned over a new leaf.

    Don't buy the B.S.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:10 pm | Reply
  119. Sidney

    Iran cannot afford a war against the US or Israel. The push for nuclear power is mainly to deal with their Sunni enemies in Saudi Arabia. The US must wait it out and not get sucked into another disaster, after Iraq. For all their faults, Iranians are an educated and cultured people, not something one can say about the Arabs

    March 6, 2012 at 6:20 pm | Reply
    • HorseCentz

      The Nazis were educated and cultured. Don't want to see another war, or any war, but we can't avoid war by pretending it won't touch us.

      March 6, 2012 at 6:29 pm | Reply
    • Case

      Saudis would fix Shia warmongers real good.

      March 8, 2012 at 10:36 am | Reply
  120. HorseCentz

    We can wait, but we can't expect Iran to change its strategy or objectives. The idea that time alone will allow us to find a negotiated settlement has proved to be incorrect.

    In fact, thinking sanctions, diplomatic pressure, or new talks will actually change Iran's plans should by now be seen as nothing but wishful thinking.

    Iran has had more than sufficient opportunity to change their course, and plenty of incentive, yet they remain on the path to war.

    As long as we realize they intend to create nuclear weapons and ICBMs to deliver them, and we have a way to address those threats, and any operations Iran will support after they have the protection of nuclear detente, then we can wait.

    Should we wait? Yes, but we should not wait long.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:24 pm | Reply
  121. PantyRaid

    Waiting? Waiting for Americans to get fed up with gas prices and make them war hungry for lower energy costs.

    Israel and United States will go to war this summer with Iran and fuel prices will be unprecedented by then.

    March 6, 2012 at 6:27 pm | Reply
  122. STINKING ZIONIST CORPSES

    Let's face it, if Israel triggers WWIII, Adolph Hitler would go down in history as the greatest human being to ever roam earth. And the holocaust would be the single greatest thing that ever happened on the face of the earth! And so far, what Hitler did to the jews is simply proving to be the right thing!

    March 6, 2012 at 6:43 pm | Reply
    • Big Bird

      You're a loser.

      March 6, 2012 at 7:05 pm | Reply
    • Neko

      So, Abdul, you do agree that therer was a Holocaust.

      March 7, 2012 at 9:01 am | Reply
  123. You lefties need to quit taking your meds

    Have we not waited for years now? Just get the damn thing over with already or leave them alone. Pretty damn simple. Whats another 2 Trillion heaped onto the national debt gonna hurt. /sarcasm every bit We are already past the point of no return, who cares anymore.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:09 pm | Reply
    • KeepEyeonPakistan

      Ummm I Care...I live on this planet and you damn straight I care...Only fools give up..

      March 6, 2012 at 10:36 pm | Reply
  124. jerry

    why is there no mention of Israel's 200 nuclear weapons and lack of NPT participation in this article???? Or the fact that 64% of Israelis themselves believe that Israel should get rid of its nuclear weapons? It's at World Public Opinion dot org

    March 6, 2012 at 7:22 pm | Reply
    • tonyl

      because Jews run the US foreign policy. Please no questions about Israel.

      March 7, 2012 at 1:29 am | Reply
      • Case

        Okay buddy, no questions about Israel. You sound toofragile to handle anything.

        March 8, 2012 at 10:34 am |
  125. IRAN IS EVIL

    WAKE UP IT IS TIME FOR YOUR MEDICATION YOU LOSERS, VIULLAGE IDIOTS ARE EVRY WHERE, MAKE NO MISTAKE AHMEDI NEJAD THE RETARD PRESIDENT OF EVIL IRAN WILL USE THE NUC WHEN HE HAS IT IN 9 MONTHS.....HE IS HELPING HIZBOALLAH THE EVIL PARTY AND OTHER TERRORIST GROUP FROM IRAQ, SYRIA AND LEBANON IRAN MUST BE STOPPED THEY ARE GROUP OF MULLAS THUGS EACH HAS 4 WIFES AND BIG ASS AND BRAINWASH THE PEOPLE TO FIGHT SO THEY CAN GET THE 40 VERGIN AS THERE ARE NO MORE VERGIN IN IRAN, THE MULLAS TAKE THEM ALL ASD MOTAA THE LEGAL FK IN MUSLIM FAITH IN IRAN. THOSE EVIL NEED THERE ASSSSSSSSSSS FK FAST AND NOW

    March 6, 2012 at 7:24 pm | Reply
    • KeepEyeonPakistan

      If we are going to disarm IRAN we should Disarm Israel as well!! In fact we wouldn't be in this predicament if the warring elite had not solicited scientist for such a STUPID IDIOTIC weapon like nukes in the first place! This is playing with power beyond our understanding...It is all fear driven and that is the problem with a world steeped in fear...

      March 6, 2012 at 10:31 pm | Reply
      • Case

        Whom do you mean by "we"?

        March 8, 2012 at 11:42 am |
  126. IRAN IS EVIL

    Here's my take on the Iranian Nuclear

    Q: FIRSTLY, are we willing to trust Iran with Nuclear weapons?
    A: No way! Else risk having a volatile ME brimming with nukes in tha hands of unstable Islamic radical regimes!
    and they will send the nuc to syrian thugs and killers and we saw what the shiia killers can do as they kill there own people

    Q: Can we let diplomacy go on right until the point Iran gets nukes?
    A: No way, we need to stop them right at their tracks! we must attack iran and syria now and keep israel and middleast safe and keep the world safe from the evil shiia and iranian thugs

    Q: Is a war in the ME now more disastrous than after Iran has developed nukes?
    A: Clearly NOT!

    Q: Will a war with Iran now cause major upheaval, increase terror against Americans all over the world incl. terror right here in America from homegrown Islamic radicals?
    A: No . But it may just be necessary to prevent potential major catastrophe or even a WW3 later on. iran is a paper tiger they do have more than 45 opposition groups we can use them to attack iran from the inside among them the arabestan province , the sunni in iran, the kurdish in iran, the lures and turks, the assyrians, the stuudents and women movments, the bahaii and persians egtc.....we must help the iraqi sunni to destroy the iran interests behind the lione.

    Q: Is war the only answer to stop them?
    A:yes! as diplomacy will never work with iran and syria or any shiia , they are an evil liers, they call lies taqeya, there god called ali and hussain!!!
    dont allow iranians to come to usa canada or any where for any reason that include the iraqi shiia and syrian shiia thuygs.

    Q: Is it time to strike Iran?
    A:yes 100% as the arab spring rising and the sunni arabs will help to attack the shiia interests, saudi arabia and gulf states will pump more oil 3 time more to offset iran oil problem so no worry about oil flow and price.

    Q:What do we mean by Iranian compliance?
    A: STOP enrichment beyond 3.5% and surrender in a verifiable manner all stocks of enriched Uranium above 3.5%
    Dismantle their underground enrichment plants in Qom and other places. Allow IAEA inspectors unfettered access to all facilities. THEY WILL NEVER DO THAT MARK MY WORDS DONT BE FOOL ATTACK NOW....OBAMA WILL NOT ATTACK THE REASON BECAUSE HE HAS A NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE AND HE WILL KEEP THAT IMAGE OF PEACE , BUT THAT WILL DESTROY THE WORLD....WAKE UP OBAMA

    DONT TRUST IRAN AND THE SHIIA

    Until we do all these the world can never be safe from ISLAMIC NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL !!!!!

    March 6, 2012 at 7:36 pm | Reply
    • Smith

      Both Israel and yourself need a good beeoooothch slapping

      March 6, 2012 at 7:59 pm | Reply
      • Case

        Yeah, sure thing Abdul.

        March 8, 2012 at 11:40 am |
    • KeepEyeonPakistan

      SO...Why does Pakistan have nukes again? I cannot understand why this issue has cleverly fallen off the worlds Radar...

      March 6, 2012 at 10:26 pm | Reply
  127. Charles

    Given that this topic has evoked much opinion, I have a brief one to add as well. Look at the world's recent history as it pertains to developments of nuclear programs, no other country has ever persuaded another from achieving its ultimate goal. Well, that's more of a fact than opinion. That said, you cannot sanction or bribe a nation out of its conquest, which means you either have to live with it or bomb them into submission. I prefer the bombing option, but I think we're all going to wake up one morning to a nuclear Iran.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:40 pm | Reply
  128. Jean

    CNN's totally desparate for a war to break out. I guess maybe they are losing viewership. They're not even reading their user comments, the majority of which are anti-war/anti-death.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:46 pm | Reply
  129. logic123

    Its quiet funny that Isreal is starting a war by saying "Iran wants them to be wiped off the face of the earth." First prove that this was actually said, secondly don't you find it funny that the same country that wiped the Palestinians off the face of this planet is crying that someone else wants to do the same to them. What makes them so special.

    March 6, 2012 at 7:59 pm | Reply
    • Logic101

      Um, hate to break it to you. But there is no such thing as a Palestinian. The "displaced Arabs" took that name. I guess that's the smart move. Really works on geo-political tyros like you. I do think that America should give hal;f the country back to the Native Americans, too. Don't you?

      March 6, 2012 at 8:17 pm | Reply
      • NeoBagger

        You can make that argument all the way to the beginning of time.

        March 6, 2012 at 9:31 pm |
      • Case

        Islamists only care about themselves. They probably hate our first nation people.

        March 8, 2012 at 10:32 am |
    • EvilTim

      Watch it for yourself..

      March 7, 2012 at 2:09 am | Reply
  130. ElSid

    Well done Iran. Build your nuclear industry. Progress technologically, economically, and scientifically. May these fat, hamburger eating, diabetic, warmonger, Jew butt kissers choke on their McDonalds.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:02 pm | Reply
  131. lanse

    its an israeli problem not so some president or elective can get in office on the backs of american soldiers blood.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:03 pm | Reply
  132. Terrible_Ted

    Just imagine what the human race could accomplish if it wasn't financing huge militaries and building idiotic things like bombs

    March 6, 2012 at 8:10 pm | Reply
    • KeepEyeonPakistan

      It would be an awesome world!! War is stupid...These world leaders ought to put on their gloves and get into a boxing ring and work it out there..You get your but kicked and lose you PAY the price...Not spilling our people blood to keep a tiny fraction of the human race in power...Sickening...Truly Sickening...

      March 6, 2012 at 10:34 pm | Reply
  133. Logic101

    Oh right. Let's wait to strike. This is what you call IRAN ROULETTE. No way we should be playing THAT. Bombs away, Israel.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:13 pm | Reply
  134. Pacifist

    We need to disband the militiary and rely on the possibility of everyone's good will. The best force is no force. It is better to have fundamentalist Islam forced upon us then to die from nuclear war. It is also better to go back to the days of horse/buggy and an agrarian society then to go to war over oil. Let the rest of the world take care of themselves. We should pull back our forces from the Gulf. I am fierce liberal who is against any use of the military; regardless of the threat.

    March 6, 2012 at 8:16 pm | Reply
  135. lanse

    obama focus on the economy, national debt, unemployment, crappy infrastructure, flood of immigrants, liberal spend programs..........for the 10th million time !

    March 6, 2012 at 8:35 pm | Reply
  136. b

    That's a tough battle, it's in the mountains, is the problem. Plus then you'd have to worry about crazy Lebanese and Syrians, they all go together. Nevertheless, that regime is all backwards, so they need to tone down their rhetoric, and that country needs to evolve, and their all religion backwards ways have no place in the present nor the future. A change of atmosphere is needed, plus, Iranian people in general do not support the regime, only the peasants do, and the normal people, they're all tired of the mullas. Plus people are just tired of dying, you can't do anything, say anything, and if you're not Muslim, they hang you. I mean you have 2 choices get out, or be persecuted. The Iranians I know, who are not Muslim, visit Israel instead, just to be at peace, because they value their life, they have been forced into living abroad for fear of dying simply because they are not Muslim. Iran is backwards, there is something wrong with that old man and his rags, and screwed up mentality.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:05 pm | Reply
  137. lex

    Iran is run by fanatics who are a danger to the world. Take them out.

    March 6, 2012 at 9:13 pm | Reply
    • NeoBagger

      They said the same thing about Iraq.

      March 6, 2012 at 9:28 pm | Reply
    • John Smith

      There are some seriously fanatical nut jobs in Israel, too. And they already have nukes. So why aren't you talking so freely about "taking them out"? Hypocrit.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:53 pm | Reply
  138. john

    Obama Downplays Iran Military Action Talk in Bid to Avert Israeli Strikes is one more line today, I believe yesterday it was we have Israel's back. So yesterday saying we gotcha covered and today saying whoa now! Just what kind of idiotic jibberish is Obama spouting now? How can we really know what his plans will be or does he have a plan?
    I doubt it seriously, Obama plays the moment and his gift for gab will not stop this fight from happening, maybe even kick start it .................what a clown

    March 6, 2012 at 9:14 pm | Reply
    • NeoBagger

      John, your the clown. I can prove it by the circus that's going on right now with the GOP. Looks like a sure victory for the dems. Thanks for handing us the election.

      March 6, 2012 at 9:29 pm | Reply
      • KeepEyeonPakistan

        Forget Iran...Pakistan already has Nukes!!! That is where we could easily get surprised if we attack Iran... Get off the war path and on to the smart path because Obama see's the quagmire and is refusing to put American lives on the line so Israel can still be the sole nuclear power in the region. Nobody is going to wipe Israel off the map except the Israelis themselves by their extremist policy towards Arabs. And trust me the Arabs need to grow up as well....

        March 6, 2012 at 10:23 pm |
  139. NeoBagger

    Any bum sitting behind a computer and wasting their life on cnn message threads should NOT have any say in US policy. Try getting a life. me included. What a bunch of tarts who don't get laid

    March 6, 2012 at 9:27 pm | Reply
  140. John CPA

    There are no good options. Israel and the US must simply deal with a more powerful and influential Iran. An Iran that is nuclear capable if it has not already attained some kind of nuclear weapon already! While Israel and the US look brave and heroic fighting poor third world countries who fight back with AK-47s and home made bombs, Iran has a real army, navy, air force with a very capable missile program and a nation of 80 million that is willing to die for their country – (this was very much proven in the 80's, Look up human wave tactics).

    March 6, 2012 at 9:57 pm | Reply
  141. KeepEyeonPakistan

    Forget about attacking Iran that is going to draw world war 3 in a hurry...Pakistan is the country that has Nukes and are crazier than the Iranians.....If a republican president "Chik-filet chicken hawk) runs into that quagmire it will make Iraq looks like a Disney theater...

    March 6, 2012 at 10:18 pm | Reply
  142. cosmicsnoop

    What makes anyone think that because they build a bomb, they are then going to start WWIII and destroy the planet? If you are intelligent enough to build a bomb, then you know what it does. There are plenty of "enemies" out there that have nukes. The US is the only country to ever use them. No one is going to exterminate life on this planet. How would that benefit them in any way?

    March 6, 2012 at 10:40 pm | Reply
    • Hmmmmmmmmmm

      It will win them the election.

      March 6, 2012 at 11:03 pm | Reply
  143. Emigdio

    A formal declaration of war is a very terrible thing. It should not be undertaken unless all options have been exhausted. I'm afraid that may be the case.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:04 pm | Reply
  144. John Smith

    We have been reduced to nothing more than Israel's sidekick, with even our president bowing before their every whim and fancy, even if it is a war that will drain us further of our blood and treasure. It is time for us to rise up against the undue influence of Israel.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:14 pm | Reply
    • tada

      It is time for us to rise up against the undue influence of Israel.

      guess its time to move to a muslim country . muslims that come to america are fleeing fellow muslims not israelis

      March 7, 2012 at 7:36 am | Reply
  145. gregorymperkins

    Reblogged this on Generation Y: A New Perspective and commented:
    The Economist also ran a great article on this topic.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:25 pm | Reply
  146. DB

    Perhaps if we reestablished political ties with Iran; and offered to lift all sanctions in the name of peace; it would avert a war? I am hoping Obama will go to Iran, as Nixon went to China, and try to appease them in some way.

    March 6, 2012 at 11:39 pm | Reply
  147. Alex

    KONY 2012

    March 6, 2012 at 11:42 pm | Reply
  148. Smith

    USA = Israel's BEEEOOOOTCH

    March 6, 2012 at 11:53 pm | Reply
    • Sahl

      Iran=most moronic

      March 9, 2012 at 9:20 am | Reply
  149. Dave

    before you write anything else,please do us a favor and take some real geography lessons! Persian gulf is a historical name of the body of water south of Iran.

    March 7, 2012 at 12:38 am | Reply
    • MRA

      Well said!

      March 7, 2012 at 1:33 am | Reply
  150. Maltese Falcon

    The Iran War already started with last fall's cruise missile attack on the missile development centre near Teheran.

    March 7, 2012 at 12:53 am | Reply
  151. Maltese Falcon

    Iran could become an excellent example of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Good role model for the other Islamic countries which also will want to develop nuclear power. This could further make fools out of the Amerikan leadership group.

    March 7, 2012 at 1:04 am | Reply
  152. streetheat

    Looks like a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. However if and when it's time to fight bombs and missiles isn't going to get the job done and I believe both the U.S and Israel know it. It didn't work in North Vietnam or Iraq and it won't work in Iran. So if they decide to go to war they better go in big or don't go at all.

    March 7, 2012 at 1:08 am | Reply
  153. tonyl

    Considering the fact we are in debt of 16 trillion dollars and with an exhausted military forces. Having thousands of our young fighter already lost in the two preemptive wars of choice. It would be naive to think Iran will not attack wildly all over the region and in US creating a security nightmare. The Iran war will be 20 times longer and more expensive in treasure and blood then Iraq and Afghanistan combine. Our policy makers have become insane. We should move on to other options.

    March 7, 2012 at 1:25 am | Reply
  154. Maltese Falcon

    Iran isn't going to build nuclear weapons. They have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. They are too honourable to break their solemn pledge. They just don't want the Evil Empire obtaining any secret information about nuclear weapons.

    March 7, 2012 at 1:38 am | Reply
  155. EvilTim

    In all the articles I have seen on the military options available, I haven't once seen anything stating, "limited or agressive use of tactical nuclear weapons on sites within Iran including Tehran" I would bet that option is on the table for the military, yet I don't see any news organization even considering the possibility. That not only makes me wonder, but makes scares the hell out of me. News organizations have been gagged before on topics..

    March 7, 2012 at 2:01 am | Reply
    • Neko

      Iran honourable, what a joke.

      March 7, 2012 at 9:06 am | Reply
  156. THETERP

    The key word here is OPTION, as I'm sure the bomb is also. If it isn't then someone isn't considering all options.

    March 7, 2012 at 3:31 am | Reply
  157. IRAN AND syria shiia are EVIL

    The world waited while Germany rearmed itself...all in the name of self-defense and national self-esteem following the Armistice in 1918. The result of waiting was more than six million innocent jews murdered by a fanatic who wrote his plan years earlier. Iran has made it clear through words and its ongoing sponsorship of Hamas and Hezbollah (not to mention the murderous Assad regime) that they are without honor, cannot be trusted, and will kill as many Jews (and Americans) they can. I can never forgive them for the Iran Hostage crisis. There support of terrorist acts through the 80's and 90's including the killing of an American in a wheelchair is a testament to the evil of the Iranian government.

    March 7, 2012 at 4:38 am | Reply
  158. Rolmbo

    Iran is a republic even if they did developed a nuclear bomb I don’t think they would use it. Just because president Ahmadinejad goes on rants about Israel doesn’t mean he is authorized to bomb them with a nuclear bomb. The President would have to get the authorization of the parliament, the military and the supreme leader. Iran’s people are a proud people who have a long history who would not destroy the future of their future generations over the short sightedness of a few idiots.

    March 7, 2012 at 4:53 am | Reply
    • Neko

      Ahmadinejad has, apparantly, been elected by the people of Iran. Leaders make decisions for the people.

      March 7, 2012 at 9:08 am | Reply
  159. Dillan

    The whole region should be Nuclear free zone, Israel should dismantle it's Nukes and Iran should allow full access to international monitors to confirm that Iran is not developing Nukes.

    March 7, 2012 at 5:13 am | Reply
  160. امیر

    من یه ایرانی هستم.
    حکومت ما, حکومت واقعی ایران, حکومت دیکتاتوری اخوندی است.
    بهترین راه نجات جهان از شره تروریسم نابودی حکومت اخوندی است.
    بهترین گزینه حمله به ایران هست و نابودی حکومت دیکتاتوری اسلامی.

    March 7, 2012 at 5:30 am | Reply
  161. American Hero

    Nuke Iran now and get it over with.

    March 7, 2012 at 5:41 am | Reply
  162. YESWait

    Definitely YES, waiting is the best option ..... for Iran .... to have more time for bomb building.

    March 7, 2012 at 6:24 am | Reply
  163. SICKOFIT

    Look how advanced the human race has become, able to kill one another so much more efficiently than ever before. Killing is probably the only thing mankind has ever perfected.

    If we attack Iran, we will be starting WWIII. From what I've been seeing, many republicans seem to be all for it. I think they still beleive the old mantra.."war makes money". The last two unjust "wars" have cost us dearly in more ways than just money...

    March 7, 2012 at 6:44 am | Reply
    • Neko

      I have never heard the mantra "war makes money". Maybe this old mantra comes from Arabs.

      March 7, 2012 at 9:10 am | Reply
  164. IranIsNotMyCountry

    I am far more concerned with the plight of Americans at this time than I am of Iran. And if Iran is threatening to withhold oil from the United States, then we should consider a strong hand.

    Until that time, there is no cause, here from a perspective of jurisprudence, because nothing is evident.

    If our friend Israel is harmed, then as its most staunch supporter, we lend a hand, if it is requested or if our national security is actually threatened.

    However, as it stands today on March 7, 2012 – a knee jerk reaction isn't advised toward a troubled child like Iran.

    March 7, 2012 at 6:45 am | Reply
    • tada

      if Iran is threatening to withhold oil from the United States, then we should consider a strong hand.

      we dont get oil from iran . matter of fact we should not buy oil from any muslim country and get it from canada instaed

      March 7, 2012 at 7:33 am | Reply
  165. Don Jones

    Why, no! Obviously the best strategy is to spend 500 billion more dollars of money the US does not have in order to jack the price of a gallon of gas to $7.50 per gallon in the US, thus enriching the military industrial complex and big oil while at the same time destroying the US economy, put tens of millions more people out of work and plunging the entire industrial world into an economic depression that will require all the worlds religions to be dismantled in order for governments to acquire their assets and send us straight into the valley of Har Magedon, both figuratively and literally. I feel like the Steve Buscemi character, Rockhound; just looking for the perfect spot to watch it the entire planet explode.

    March 7, 2012 at 6:55 am | Reply
  166. Evanzo

    Seems that they are trying to show off thgat they are capabale!No they not and I cant accept this intimidation to our greater and beloved Nation.GOD BLESS AMERICA!

    March 7, 2012 at 7:02 am | Reply
  167. Roberto

    Just park a boomer in front of Iran and if they start to fuel their missiles...take them out. The same thing we did with the old Soviet Union. So let them have the nuke, we have the technology to know when it is getting ready for use!!!

    March 7, 2012 at 7:16 am | Reply
  168. tada

    the problem is not iran . its islam

    March 7, 2012 at 7:31 am | Reply
  169. tada

    muslims that come to america are fleeing fellow muslims not israelis

    March 7, 2012 at 7:36 am | Reply
  170. Lou

    I have read what "Tada" in post 168 saying Iran is not the problem but "Islam" is! I totally agree with this since Islam religion is about KILLING those who do not believe. The truth of the matter is that "Islam" wants to annihilate Israel and all of the west along with other Arab regimes. So Fareed, we undoubtedly have to take this threat out but it has to be an extremely coordinated effort. You our an undoubtedly intelligent man but do you really expect the current Iran regime not to threaten anyone once they possess a nuclear weapon!!!! In the end, unfortunately as it is during these sanctions, it is the Iranian people that will suffer under there extremist regime. God bless the USA!

    March 7, 2012 at 8:02 am | Reply
    • Neko

      Halleluyah brother!

      March 7, 2012 at 9:14 am | Reply
  171. Yeah

    Israel has had several prime ministers who were professional terrorists before they went into politics, including Menachem Begin, Ehud Barak, and Ariel Sharon, the current prime minister. The first leaders of the state of Israel were terrorists who carried out the terror bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1946, killing 91 people. Ever hear of letter bombs? They are an Israeli invention. The Mossad has sent hundreds of letter bombs to scientists, journalists, and academics in Egypt, Syria, and other countries to kill and terrorize Israel’s opponents.

    March 7, 2012 at 9:57 am | Reply
  172. Neko

    I'm glad I'm not a member of this morbid, violent religion.

    Kill disbelievers wherever you find them. If they attack you, then kill them. Such is the reward of disbelievers. (But if they desist in their unbelief, then don't kill them.) 2:191-2
    The disbelievers, they are the wrong-doers. 2:254
    Don't be friends with non-Muslims. They all hate you and want to ruin you. 3:118
    We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Their habitation is the Fire 3:151
    Allah will bestow a vast reward on those who fight in religious wars. 4:74
    The disbelievers are an open enemy to you. 4:101

    March 7, 2012 at 9:59 am | Reply
    • Tahir

      You are writing all these things out of context.For example the Muslims were allowed to kill the non Muslims during first war fought by prophet Muhammad when Muslims were facing an attack by non Muslims.So in this verse God allowed Muslims to go and fight and kill them.This verse was revealed to prophet Muhammad before this war. Here a general killing is not written but killing is only related to a war fought at that time. You other statements are also out of context and also badly translated.

      March 7, 2012 at 4:41 pm | Reply
      • Kadijah

        My translations are always very good.

        March 9, 2012 at 1:37 pm |
  173. WAKE UP!!!

    Only the observers — two to five percent of the population — are capable of understanding and caring. If something happens to cause them to focus their minds on the simple fact that seven thousand Americans were killed on September 11 as a direct consequence of the Jewish control of the U.S. government — seven thousand Americans were killed because our government has for decades been used to further the interests of Israel at the expense of the interests of the American people — if they will focus on that simple fact and also on the fact that many more Americans are likely to die in the future if the Jewish control of our government continues, perhaps some of them will put their minds to the problem of breaking that control.

    March 7, 2012 at 10:02 am | Reply
  174. Neko

    Non-Believers in Islam are to be respected, evangelized, and converted. But unless they convert to Islam, they are religious enemies, and therefore worthy of death.
    Source(s):
    Qur'an 9:71 "O Prophet, strive hard [fighting] against the unbelievers and the Hypocrites, and be harsh with them. Their abode is Hell, an evil refuge indeed."
    Qur'an 8:59 "The infidels should not think that they can get away from us. Prepare against them whatever arms and weaponry you can muster so that you may terrorize them."
    Qur'an 4:168 "Those who reject [Islamic] Faith, Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to any path except the way to Hell, to dwell therein forever. And this to Allah is easy."
    Qur'an 4:114 "He who disobeys the Apostle after guidance has been revealed will burn in Hell."
    Ishaq:344 "We smote them and they scattered. The impious met death. They became fuel for Hell. All who aren't Muslims must go there. It will consume them while the Stoker [Allah] increases the heat. They had called Allah's Apostle a liar. They claimed, 'You are nothing but a sorcerer.' So Allah destroyed them."
    Qur'an 33:60 "Truly, if the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy – a fierce slaughter – murdered, a horrible murdering."
    Qur'an 33:64 "Verily Allah has cursed the Unbelievers [whom he defines as Christians in the 5th surah] and has prepared for them a Blazing Fire to dwell in forever. No protector will they find, nor savior. That Day their faces will be turned upside down in the Fire. They will say: 'Woe to us! We should have obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!' 'Our Lord! Give them double torment and curse them with a very great Curse!'"
    Qur'an 5:10 "Those who reject, disbelieve and deny Our signs, proofs and verses will be companions of Hell-Fire."
    Qur'an 88:1 "Has the narration reached you of the overwhelming (calamity)? Some faces (all disbelievers, Jews and Christians) that Day, will be humiliated, downcast, scorched by the burning fire, while they are made to drink from a boiling hot spring."
    Bukhari:V1B11N617 "I would order someone to collect firewood and another to lead prayer. Then I would burn the houses of men who did not present themselves at the compulsory prayer and prostration."
    Bukhari:V1B11N626 "The Prophet said, 'No prayer is harder for the hypocrites than the Fajr. If they knew the reward they would come to (the mosque) even if they had to crawl. Certainly I decided to order a man to lead the prayer and then take a flame to burn all those who had not left their houses for the prayer, burning them alive inside their homes.'"
    Bukhari:V4B52N260 "The Prophet said, 'If a Muslim discards his religion, kill him.'"
    Qur'an 5:51 "Believers, take not Jews and Christians for your friends."

    March 7, 2012 at 10:06 am | Reply
    • Tahir

      If you see all things out of context then they may appear wrong.You have to read what is written before and after these statements in Quran.Just picking things and posting here is not fair.

      March 7, 2012 at 4:48 pm | Reply
      • Case

        Tahir, it is not a misrepresentation of the Quran– it is as is. How many times does the Quran have to say that all non-muslims must be killed? How many times does Ahmadinedork have to say that Israel should be wiped from this earth before you will admit that he said it? How many times can you ignore reality?

        March 7, 2012 at 5:38 pm |
  175. Bill

    Whether the Jews are a race or not depends on how you define “race.” I believe that they are indeed a race, especially since a branch of the U.S. government (i.e., the Census Bureau) has, by default, labeled them as a race. Furthermore, as someone once said, “they act like a race.” Anyway, Ashkenazim Jews (i.e., most Jews) are so inbred that there are “Jewish diseases.” What more evidence do you need that they’re a race? Sadly, since the Hitler era, few scientists are willing to call them a “race.” (One Jewish trait that has always fascinated me is ugliness. Jews are not handsome people. Many of them resemble rodents, with large noses and ears). Race or ethnic group, Jews are big trouble.

    March 7, 2012 at 10:09 am | Reply
    • Neko

      Abdul, you have the lowest level of intellect I have ever witnessed. It is almost incomprehensible. Almost.

      March 7, 2012 at 1:20 pm | Reply
  176. Fred

    America Has a Law Which Prohibits Diplomacy With Iran Without Prior Congressional Approval. That law almost guarantees a war between the U.S. and Iran – for Israel’s benefit, of course. What if White people controlled America, instead of Jews?

    March 7, 2012 at 10:12 am | Reply
  177. Sam

    The Jews want America to attack Iran, for Israel’s benefit. But that hasn’t happened yet, so the next best thing for the Jews to do is to make sure that the “White democracies” isolate Iran from the rest of the world, hurting it economically and politically. (By the way, that’s how World War II started.)

    March 7, 2012 at 10:18 am | Reply
    • Frank

      ...and also why gas prices are rising in the states with no stopping in sight. Thanks Israel.

      March 7, 2012 at 10:20 am | Reply
      • Case

        Israel has no oil and has no control whatsoever over oil prices. On the other hand, Iran, Syria, Iraq all have oil for sale and are part of OPEC.

        March 8, 2012 at 7:33 am |
  178. Tom

    Of course, the Jews won’t attack Iran themselves, just like they didn’t attack Iraq themselves. They’ll get America (or, these days, NATO) to do the attacking. They’ll do the benefiting.

    March 7, 2012 at 10:22 am | Reply
  179. John Kantor

    Just change "Iran" to "Hitler" and you'll see the historical analogue. This is the pathetic attempt by the news media to shore up an incompetent administration. If the world had stood up to Iran any time in the last 40 years or so, we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place.

    March 7, 2012 at 11:12 am | Reply
    • Tahir

      Iran has killed far less people than USA, so what is the problem when USA is still alive.

      March 7, 2012 at 4:32 pm | Reply
  180. BGko

    Brainwash Propaganda

    March 7, 2012 at 11:48 am | Reply
  181. IRAN AND syria shiia are EVIL

    all you need to attack and finsh syria are 50 uman aircraft drawn attack syrian president pallace his army base and provide cover to homs and let the free syrian army do the rest, attack syrian weapons safe houses and the supplies root it is very easy you can let these fighters fly from saudi , jordan turkey and the med sea .....days and night 24 hours round the clock destroying radars and soft target

    March 7, 2012 at 12:16 pm | Reply
  182. Ivan

    The only country that is a significant threat on the Middle East is Israel.

    Israeli attack on Iraq´s Osiraq nuclear reactor in 1981
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/7/newsid_3014000/3014623.stm

    The only ones that have any issues with Iran are the Israelis and their American puppet president.

    So tell me why should Israel be the only one to have Nuclear capability in the region and no one else?
    So here Israel is the aggressor just like in all the other wars they have started.

    Oh and then they come crying to the USA.
    oh please come help us we are being picked on and attacked.

    We have No business helping Israel in any way.

    I Hate to tell you the bad news “We have NO friends in the Middle East”

    Where was Israel during 9/11, did they try to stop it?

    Did our friends the Israelis help us after?

    Were they there with us in Afghanistan?

    Israel.does not care about the consequences of their actions.

    They care only about their own survival and only their own.

    On June 8, 1967 Israeli forces attacked USS Liberty with full knowledge that this was an American ship, they killed 34 brave men.

    So once again I say “We have NO friends in the Middle East”

    March 7, 2012 at 12:37 pm | Reply
  183. Neko

    Again I say, all Islamists, who seem to be so proud of themselves, why are you hiding behind North American names. Do you really believe that we think you are North American? Laughable.

    March 7, 2012 at 1:26 pm | Reply
    • Tahir

      These people cannot be North American, real North Americans only like killing people through wars.They like war and vote for candidates who show them war dreams.

      March 7, 2012 at 4:30 pm | Reply
      • Case

        First you pretend to be one of us–civilized people, then you insult us. Hehehehe...

        March 7, 2012 at 5:42 pm |
  184. Neko

    One of the greatest proofs of the Bible is the survival of the Jew since Abraham’s time 4000
    years ago. In spite of attempts to destroy them by Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Rome and
    Hitler they continue to survive. After 1900 years of wandering among the nations, they are
    back in their own land as a nation since 1948. Israel today is the focal point for world
    interest and peace. It is the centre of political, industrial and Muslim conflict as the world’s
    industries are so dependent on Middle Eastern oil supplies

    March 7, 2012 at 1:46 pm | Reply
  185. Neko

    In Scotland, exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 mph is generally penalized by the loss of one’s license. Except, it would seem, if you are a polygamous Muslim husband dashing between two wives in two different towns.
    That exact scenario occurred last year when a Scottish judge allowed a Muslim husband to retain his license after he was booked for driving 64 mph in a 30-mph zone. “He has one wife in Motherwell and another in Glasgow and sleeps with one one night and stays with the other the next on an alternate basis,” argued Mohammed Anwar’s lawyer. “Without his driving license, he would be unable to do this on a regular basis.”

    This episode is a measure of the bloodless cultural and legal invasion by the armies of Islam into British society and Britain’s judicial system.

    March 7, 2012 at 1:59 pm | Reply
  186. Neko

    Great Britain is a nation with steadfast commitment to free-will and fair play. It is unavoidable that, in a cosmopolitan society like Britain, there will be difference and conflict between the host society and those diverse immigrant groups. However, of all the groups that have adopted Britain as their home, this conflict has been most acute, even probably irreconcilable, it comes to the group that identifies itself as Muslims, or more specifically, Pakistani Muslim migrants. To make a few examples: race crimes, honor killings, welfare abuses, forced convergence of Islam and state under Sharia laws, a total lack of assimilation, the fostering of reverse racism against native Britons, and so on. These offenses, among others, are mostly linked to Britain’s Pakistani Community, obscured under the label as ‘Asians’.

    March 7, 2012 at 2:02 pm | Reply
  187. Neko

    http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/Heart-breaking-Tale-of-American-Woman-Encounter-with-Islam.htm
    Finding the Courage: Heart-breaking Tale of an American Woman's Encounter with Islam

    March 7, 2012 at 2:09 pm | Reply
  188. Neko

    http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/Iraqi-Muslimah-Left%20Islam-Embraced-Buddhism.htm
    How an Iraqi Muslimah Left Islam and Embraced Buddhism!

    March 7, 2012 at 2:11 pm | Reply
  189. Neko

    http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/Ex-convert-Ordeal-Islam-False-Sense-of-Peace.htm
    An Ex-convert's Ordeal: Islam's False Sense of Peace

    March 7, 2012 at 2:12 pm | Reply
  190. Neko

    http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/How-a-Christian-Became-Jihadi-minded-Muslimah.htm
    How a Christian Became Jihadi-minded Muslimah before Seeing the Truth

    March 7, 2012 at 2:13 pm | Reply
  191. Neko

    http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/North-Indian-Muslim-Woman-Leaves-Islam-Marries-Jew.htm
    North Indian Muslim Woman Leaves Islam and Marries a Jew

    March 7, 2012 at 2:14 pm | Reply
  192. Neko

    Young Indian Muslimah Leaves Islam for Her Ancestral Faith
    http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/Young-Indian-Muslimah-Leaves-Islam.htm

    March 7, 2012 at 2:15 pm | Reply
  193. Neko

    Pakistani Girl: Ashamed of Ever Being a Muslim
    http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/Pakistani-Girl-Ashamed-Being-Muslim.htm

    March 7, 2012 at 2:18 pm | Reply
  194. Neko

    The Evolution of a Muslim Mind
    http://www.islam-watch.org/Omar.Zia/Evolution-of-a-Muslim-Mind.htm

    March 7, 2012 at 2:23 pm | Reply
  195. Neko

    Islam Simplified: A Pile of Stinking Garbage
    http://www.islam-watch.org/Omar.Zia/Islam-Pile-of-Stinking-Garbage.htm

    March 7, 2012 at 2:24 pm | Reply
  196. Neko

    Science and Medicine
    • Dr. Jonas Salk created the first Polio Vaccine.
    Dr. Abraham Waksman coined the term antibiotics.
    • Casmir Funk, a Polish Jew, pioneered a new field of medical research and coined the word "vitamins."
    • Dr. Simon Baruch performed the first successful operation for appendicitis
    • Dr. Paul "magic bullet" Ehrlich won the Nobel Prize in 1908 for curing syphilis.
    • Dr. Abraham Jacobi is considered America's father of pediatrics.
    • Dr. Albert Sabin developed the first oral polio vaccine.

    March 7, 2012 at 2:36 pm | Reply
  197. Neko

    Invention
    • Theodor Judah was chief architect and engineer for the American Transcontinental railroad.
    • In 1918, Detroit, Max Goldberg opened the "first" commercial parking lot.
    • In 1910, Louis Blaustein and his son opened the "first" gas station, eventually founding AMOCO OIL.
    • In 1909, four Jews were among the 60 multi-cultural signers of the call to the National Action, which resulted in the creation of the NAACP.
    • Emile Berliner developed the modern-day phonograph. The machine he patented was called the gramophone. Berliner made possible the modern record industry. His company was eventually absorbed by the Victor Talking Machine Company, now known as RCA.
    • Jewish Louis B. Mayer (MGM) created the idea for the Oscar.

    March 7, 2012 at 2:37 pm | Reply
  198. Neko

    Art and Literature
    • Marc Chagall (born Segal, Russia) is one of the great 20th century painters.
    • The famous poem of Jewish Poet Emma Lazarus – "give me your tired...your poor...your huddled masses," – appears as the inscription on the Statue Of Liberty.

    March 7, 2012 at 2:38 pm | Reply
  199. Neko

    Given that Jews comprise a mere 1/4 of 1% (13 million) of the world's population (6 billion) and that 99% of the world is non-Jewish, the following list of accomplishments by Jews is quite impressive.

    Of the 660 Nobel prizes from 1901-1990, 160 have been won by Jews. Jews have won more Nobel prizes than any other ethnicity. They have won 40 times more than should be expected of them based upon population statistics.

    March 7, 2012 at 2:46 pm | Reply
    • Tahir

      We accept all these things if they are all done by Jews, but this does not give them write to leave Europe and then capture land of other people with bombs and guns and throw them out of their homes.Israel is created with bombs and guns and it is a terrorist state.

      March 7, 2012 at 4:54 pm | Reply
      • Case

        Jews have the right to Israel. The Bible recognizes the Jewish race as the first people.

        March 7, 2012 at 5:44 pm |
      • Mohammad A Dar

        Jews, self centered are secular hindu, criminal self centered and bible, book of contradiction is hinduism absurdity of hindu's pagans pretending to be follower of son of blessed Mary, A hindu absurd argument to prove hindu criminal Judaism, crime of self center ism labeled as Israel.

        March 7, 2012 at 6:51 pm |
      • Case

        Yeah, sure thing, 'Hammed.

        March 7, 2012 at 7:18 pm |
      • Mohammad A Dar

        If in your opinion i have translated word Jew wrongly, than translate it , if you have any clue, Word is Yahood, like Ra ben hood. Jew are hindu criminal of first order, not better but hindu, worst of hindu, secular, self centered denier of truth absolute of Egyptian and Persian origin having nothing to do with Israelite..

        March 7, 2012 at 8:35 pm |
      • Case

        Hammed, my translations are always very good. You know that don't you habibi?

        March 8, 2012 at 8:28 am |
    • Mohammad A Dar

      Jew, self centered or Judaism, self center ism is not a race of human but hinduism, denial of truth absolute as a secular, god himself, neither it was belief of Hebrews, dedicated one to truth absolute nor hindu Jew's criminal self centered are Israelite but hindu, criminals of Egypt and Persian origin, believer of hinduism, racism.

      March 7, 2012 at 8:53 pm | Reply
    • capnmike

      That's just because we are smarter than the rest of you, and believe in education and hard work.

      March 8, 2012 at 12:43 pm | Reply
  200. Case

    Wow, all these facts are imporessive.

    March 7, 2012 at 3:23 pm | Reply
  201. Pliny

    Mel Gibson was right.

    March 7, 2012 at 3:30 pm | Reply
    • Case

      Which parts of his drunken ramblings are you talking about?

      March 7, 2012 at 3:52 pm | Reply
  202. JIm De

    @ Zakaria; I truly love how you have given the Iranians a laundry list of things to do "in case they think the are going to be attacked". They are very adept at copying anything, the intelligence of original thought does escape them though, and you are telling them what to do! What is the madness with the media? You spout that you are neutral and non-interfering and you make a comment that Al-Queda will most surely include in their next suicide plans. Instead, why don't you focus on some real problems and give a laundry list of, oh something useful, like improving the education of would-be journalists! Thank you...for nothing

    March 7, 2012 at 6:37 pm | Reply
  203. Joe

    This is absolute madness!!!! Israel has over 200 nuclear weapons ILLEGALLY obtained from stolen French uranium and they committ genocide against the Palestinian people through inhumane blockades and the white phosphorus bombing of UN schools in Gaza, killing thousands of innocent civilians. If anyone needs to be bombed, it's Israel! Sick and tired of America being hypocritical!

    March 7, 2012 at 8:05 pm | Reply
    • Joe

      Oh, and I am an AMERICAN. I am white, was born in the U.S. and am an International Relations scholar. Definitely not an Islamist, I am just smart enough to see through the wool Israel pulls over the collective U.S.' eyes!

      March 7, 2012 at 8:06 pm | Reply
      • Case

        LIAR, LIAR pants on fire. hehehe...

        March 7, 2012 at 9:16 pm |
  204. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,IRAN AND syria shiia are EVIL

    ,,,...................
    IRAN IS EVIL

    WAKE UP IT IS TIME FOR YOUR MEDICATION YOU LOSERS, VIULLAGE IDIOTS ARE EVRY WHERE, MAKE NO MISTAKE AHMEDI NEJAD THE RETARD PRESIDENT OF EVIL IRAN WILL USE THE NUC WHEN HE HAS IT IN 9 MONTHS.....HE IS HELPING HIZBOALLAH THE EVIL PARTY AND OTHER TERRORIST GROUP FROM IRAQ, SYRIA AND LEBANON IRAN MUST BE STOPPED THEY ARE GROUP OF MULLAS THUGS EACH HAS 4 WIFES AND BIG ASS AND BRAINWASH THE PEOPLE TO FIGHT SO THEY CAN GET THE 40 VERGIN AS THERE ARE NO MORE VERGIN IN IRAN, THE MULLAS TAKE THEM ALL ASD MOTAA THE LEGAL FK IN MUSLIM FAITH IN IRAN. THOSE EVIL NEED THERE ASSSSSSSSSSS FK FAST AND NOW

    March 6, 2012 at 7:24 pm | Reply

    KeepEyeonPakistan

    If we are going to disarm IRAN we should Disarm Israel as well!! In fact we wouldn't be in this predicament if the warring elite had not solicited scientist for such a STUPID IDIOTIC weapon like nukes in the first place! This is playing with power beyond our understanding...It is all fear driven and that is the problem with a world steeped in fear...

    March 6, 2012 at 10:31 pm | Reply

    IRAN IS EVIL

    Here's my take on the Iranian Nuclear

    Q: FIRSTLY, are we willing to trust Iran with Nuclear weapons?
    A: No way! Else risk having a volatile ME brimming with nukes in tha hands of unstable Islamic radical regimes!
    and they will send the nuc to syrian thugs and killers and we saw what the shiia killers can do as they kill there own people

    Q: Can we let diplomacy go on right until the point Iran gets nukes?
    A: No way, we need to stop them right at their tracks! we must attack iran and syria now and keep israel and middleast safe and keep the world safe from the evil shiia and iranian thugs

    Q: Is a war in the ME now more disastrous than after Iran has developed nukes?
    A: Clearly NOT!

    Q: Will a war with Iran now cause major upheaval, increase terror against Americans all over the world incl. terror right here in America from homegrown Islamic radicals?
    A: No . But it may just be necessary to prevent potential major catastrophe or even a WW3 later on. iran is a paper tiger they do have more than 45 opposition groups we can use them to attack iran from the inside among them the arabestan province , the sunni in iran, the kurdish in iran, the lures and turks, the assyrians, the stuudents and women movments, the bahaii and persians egtc.....we must help the iraqi sunni to destroy the iran interests behind the lione.

    Q: Is war the only answer to stop them?
    A:yes! as diplomacy will never work with iran and syria or any shiia , they are an evil liers, they call lies taqeya, there god called ali and hussain!!!
    dont allow iranians to come to usa canada or any where for any reason that include the iraqi shiia and syrian shiia thuygs.

    Q: Is it time to strike Iran?
    A:yes 100% as the arab spring rising and the sunni arabs will help to attack the shiia interests, saudi arabia and gulf states will pump more oil 3 time more to offset iran oil problem so no worry about oil flow and price.

    Q:What do we mean by Iranian compliance?
    A: STOP enrichment beyond 3.5% and surrender in a verifiable manner all stocks of enriched Uranium above 3.5%
    Dismantle their underground enrichment plants in Qom and other places. Allow IAEA inspectors unfettered access to all facilities. THEY WILL NEVER DO THAT MARK MY WORDS DONT BE FOOL ATTACK NOW....OBAMA WILL NOT ATTACK THE REASON BECAUSE HE HAS A NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACE AND HE WILL KEEP THAT IMAGE OF PEACE , BUT THAT WILL DESTROY THE WORLD....WAKE UP OBAMA

    DONT TRUST IRAN AND THE SHIIA

    Until we do all these the world can never be safe from ISLAMIC NUCLEAR BLACKMAIL !!!!!

    March 8, 2012 at 12:48 am | Reply
  205. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,IRAN AND syria shiia are EVIL

    I AGREE WITH NEKO EVEN I AM A MUSLIM........................BUT I LIVED IN HERE FOR 35 YEARS AND I START KNOW WHY CHRISTEANS ARE THE BEST FAITH IN THIS EARTH ..
    NEKO IN ARABIC ALSO MEANS FK YOU IRAN

    March 8, 2012 at 12:50 am | Reply
    • Case

      hehehe....

      March 8, 2012 at 8:45 am | Reply
    • capnmike

      ALL religion is "evil"...because it is based on a huge LIE. "God", "allah", whatever you want to call it, DOESN'T EXIST! It's a fairytale invention of humans...it's too bad that so many people get brainwashed with this garbage and grow up believing it to the point where they get violent about it.

      March 8, 2012 at 12:40 pm | Reply
      • P.M

        Shut up, you are stupid communist, you must go to China or Russia .

        March 8, 2012 at 4:39 pm |
      • Kadijah

        Pakistani Moron, you are not allowed to tell him to shut up or move to another country because in a free society he has the right to speak his mind as long as he does not promote violence.

        March 9, 2012 at 1:32 pm |
  206. ALLAMERICAN

    PM of Israel is putting a compelling argument, however he does sound like someone we all know too well. Yes Collin Powell, that’s exactly the type of speech and propaganda that led this country in to silly wars dragging our economy into recessions. I suggest Mr PM you work this out with your regional leaders and stop exploiting American media and election season.

    March 8, 2012 at 1:51 am | Reply
  207. Onikami

    world war 3 is inevetible. it has been since the inception of the idea of world war. what is avoidable is totally eradicating the human race from the face of the earth and who will stand triumphant in the end. jeez i hate when people cry over war. it has been a FACT of human life for as long as there have been greedy humans. it will continue to be used as long as their are humans. the fact that the world is dithering on about iran and the middle east and asia should already tell you ww3 is coming. it's just about who will have the chutzbah to strike first! iran has already stated their nuclear goals, how long till we believe them and act accordiningly? will we wait till they can arm their paid insurgents? or till they let off a nuke or dirty bomb somewhere? the way i see it is this: they won't stop people from hurting us so hurt them first. it is not a matter of war but how many will be hurt and killed before these ineffectual leaders decide to forego their next election prospects and take a stand against those who are gearing up to blows all to our favorite gods.

    March 8, 2012 at 10:40 am | Reply
    • Case

      Listen Abdul, do you really think we believe your attempt at sounding Jewish? You are a moron and this is examplified by your comment "the inception of the idea of world war". Jewish people are too intelligent to use this wordage.

      March 8, 2012 at 11:29 am | Reply
  208. P.M

    If Iran got a nuclear weapon, will become " the new Soviet Union ". We will get " a cold war " coming soon. Bye Bye America!

    March 8, 2012 at 11:25 am | Reply
    • Case

      What do you mean "If"?

      March 8, 2012 at 11:30 am | Reply
      • P.M

        IF IS IF!! my comment is clear!!

        March 8, 2012 at 3:49 pm |
      • Case

        By questioning "if", my small brained Pakistani Moron, I am trying to point out that Iran already has WMD and Nukes.

        March 9, 2012 at 9:10 am |
  209. capnmike

    Oh yeah...let's all just sit around until this gang of religious-fascist idiots gets a nuke and drops it on Tel Aviv, which is more than obviously their goal, to look like big heroes to the rest of that sick hate-filled Moslem world...then we can all point fingers at each other and blather and blameshift and try to justify our inaction. They have enough oil for their energy needs for a thousand years, they don't NEED nukes, that's just lies and baloney, as anyone with half a brain can easily see. Their goal is destruction for their imaginary "allah", and they don't care if they die doing it. My suggestion? If they want a nuke so bad, we should send them one...airmail special delivery.

    March 8, 2012 at 12:37 pm | Reply
  210. iraqi shiia and nori al maleki must go before we attack iran

    يسعى رئيس وزراء العراق نوري المالكي جاهداً لتحقيق انعقاد مؤتمر القمة العربية المزمع انعقاده ببغداد في 29 آذار الجاري بأي ثمن يدفع، وعلى أي صورة تكون حتى ولو لساعات ثم ينفض الاجتماع؛ المهم أن رئاسة الدورة العربية ولمدة عام أو لحين انعقاد المؤتمر القادم تكون بيده. يترافق هذا الحرص من جانب المالكي وحكومته على الرغم من امتعاض إيران وعدم رغبتها لانعقاد المؤتمر في بغداد! هل تعرفون لماذا؟ سأشرح لكم ذلك بعد قليل.

    تردد واضح يشيع في أوساط الدول العربية خصوصاً الخليجية وسط مخاطر متوقعة لا يستهان بها قد تصل إلى حد التحضير لاغتيال شخصيات معينة من قبل الحرس الثوري الإيراني الذي يصول ويجول في بلاد الرافدين، وعزلة يعانيها النظام مع محيطه العربي. وحتى لحظة كتابة هذه الحروف لم تحسم موافقة أغلب الدول على حضور المؤتمر، وإن كانت التصريحات كلها إلى جانب الحضور. هذا وجهود أمين الجامعة العربية نبيل العربي واضحة في الحرص على انعقاد المؤتمر في المكان والزمان المحددين!

    أعطى المالكي في سبيل هدفه هذا تنازلات عديدة، وأعلن عن تصريحات غريبة آخرها أنه لا يقف إلى جانب الرئيس السوري بشار الأسد، وأن وقت رحيله قد حان. وزاد فعزز ذلك بإنهاء الوساطة التي تبرع بها قبل حوالي شهرين في سبيل إنهاء (الأزمة) أي الثورة السورية. عساه أن يطمئن العرب ويقنعهم بسلامة نيته، وأنه لن يخرج عن الخط العربي في أي قرار سيتخذ.

    العجيب أن الإشارة تلقفها أمس برهان غليون رئيس المجلس الوطني للثورة السورية وبسرعة خاطفة، قائلاً ما معناه: ما دام أن الجانب العراقي قال بأنه لا يقف إلى جانب النظام السوري فهذا يكفي رغم ما بدر منه سابقاً! معقباً بكل ما في السياسة من (حسن ظن): "الحكومة العراقية تعتقد أنه لم يبق للرئيس السوري بشار الأسد أي حظوظ في البقاء في السلطة"! فلا أدري هل هي (طيبة قلب)؟ أم وراء الأكمة ما وراءها؟ وهل يسمح لنا الأستاذ غليون أن نستعير رؤيته (الثاقبة) للأحداث كي نؤسس لقاعدة جديدة على منطق السياسة: افعل ما تشاء.. اذبح، اقتل، قاتل، موّل، ادعم... كل ذلك يشطب بجرة تصريح؟! إذن لماذا لا يشمل رئيسه بشار بهذه (القاعدة الذهبية) الجديدة؟

    ما هي أهداف الحكومة العراقية من وراء المؤتمر

    قبل الإجابة عن هذا السؤال أترككم مع هذه الأخبار التي تتمتع بنسبة عالية من التأكيد:

    1. بتاريخ 1/2/2012 عقد نوري المالكي اجتماعاً مع عدد من قياديي حزب الدعوة وأبلغهم بما يلي:

    · ان موافقة العراق على موقف العرب من سوريا إنما لترغيب القادة العرب وسحب أرجلهم لحضور المؤتمر وضمان عدم مقاطعتهم له.

    · المؤتمر سيكون فرصة ذهبية لمحاولة إجراء مصالحة سورية – عربية مع بشار الأسد أو مع من يمثله.

    · الحرص على حضور أبرز القادة العرب وخاصة (السعودية وقطر ومصر)؛ فإن عدم حضورهم "يبعث رسالة الى أمريكا بأن الحكومة العراقية قد فشلت في كسر عزلتها عن المحيط العربي، وأن هذا سيكون عامل ضعف بارز في علاقة حكومتنا مع الإدارة الأمريكية".

    · السعي لكسب تأييد القادة العرب وخاصة دولة الكويت لإخراج العراق من البند السابع. (حتى يتسنى للمالكي الاستبداد بأمور العراق على أوسع مدياته؛ بعد رفع يد الأمم المتحدة عنه. فهل يعي سياسيو سنة العراق المطالبين بإخراج العراق من أحكام البند السابع أنه ليس من مصلحتهم ذلك؟ وأما آن الأوان ليدركوا أن هناك شرخاً عميقاً وواسعاً قد حصل بين مصلحة العراق ومصلحة السنة، وأن "المشروع الوطني" قد بات خنجراً مسموماً في قلب السنة بعد أن كان في ظهرهم؟).

    · إن العراق سيرأس معظم اللجان والنشاطات المرتبطة بقرارات ونتائج القمة وستنتقل الرئاسة من يد قطر التي تقود التحرك العربي ضد لبشار الاسد الى حكومة المالكي الحليف العربي الأول له ولنظامه. وبوجود أمين عام ضعيف للجامعة يمتثل لإرادة العراق (لماذا) سيسهل على العراق إدارة الازمة السورية كما يريد.

    2. بتاريخ 20/1/2012 أخبر إبراهيم الجعفري مستشار الأمن الوطني فالح الفياض بأن القيادة الأمريكية أوعزت لأياد علاوي أن يستغل علاقاته مع بعض الدول العربية وخاصة الخليجية منها لتشجيعها على حضور مؤتمر القمة العربية مقابل تعهد الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية بالضغط على نوري المالكي لتقديم تنازلات للقائمة العراقية.

    3. كما أوفد نوري المالكي وزير الدفاع وكالة سعدون الدليمي إلى القاهرة في حوالي يوم 18/1/2012 لترتيب الأمور مع أمين الجامعة العربية نبيل العربي في لقاء سري بينهما.

    4. أما ما يخص إيران فبتاريخ 7/1/2012 اجتمع قاسم سليماني قائد فيلق القدس التابع للحرس الثوري والمسؤول عن ملف العراق مع علي الأديب القيادي في حزب الدعوة ووزير التعليم العالي في مقر الحرس الثوري الإيراني في مدينة كرمنشاه وبدون علم نوري المالكي لوضع خطة لاستهداف بعض القادة العرب أثناء انعقاد المؤتمر، وإلقاء مسؤولية تنفيذ العملية على خلية تابعة لتنظيم القاعدة العامل في جزيرة العرب. هذا وقد تسربت أخبار عن عزم نوري المالكي على زيارة ايران قبل انعقاد القمة العربية في بغداد لاستلام التوجيهات اللازمة حول الملفات التي سيناقشها العراق مع قادة الدول العربية، سيما تلك المتعلقة بسوريا. ولدعوة القيادة الايرانية إلى أن توعز إلى المجاميع الشيعية المسلحة المرتبطة بها في العراق أن تتوقف عن تنفيذ عمليات إرهابية للفترة قبل وأثناء انعقاد المؤتمر.

    باختصار

    يمكننا أن نختصر أهم الأهداف التي يريد المالكي تحقيقها من خلال المؤتمر بما يلي:

    1. يعاني النظام الشيعي الحاكم في العراق من عزلة عربية خانقة لا سيما من قبل المملكة العربية السعودية وبعض دول الخليج، وما يتبع ذلك من قلق تجاه شرعية تسلطه على العراق، إذن ستحقق القمة له إضفاء مزيد من الشرعية وكسب تأييد الدول العربية لكسر عزلته معها.

    2. وعلى عكس ما يتظاهر به النظام من الانسحاب من تأييد النظام السوري فإن المالكي يريد من وراء انعقاد القمة في بغداد تحييد مواقف الدول العربية المتشددة من النظام السوري للحيلولة دون سقوطه.

    3. التمكن أكثر من تحقيق أجندات وأهداف إيرانية وسورية، لحكومته التي تعاني من العزلة العربية، واستغلال رئاسة الحكومة العراقية لدورة الجامعة العربية التي ستستمر لمدة عام في تنفيذ المخططات خدمة لتلك الأهداف.

    4. أما ممانعة إيران لعقد المؤتمر في بغداد فلخشيتها من أن يكون للعرب أي موطئ قدم في العراق، كي تحقق انفرادها الكامل به وبحكومته، وإفساد أي فرصة، ولو كانت تافهة، للتقارب بين الطرفين. والتفجيرات الأخيرة في بغداد كانت هي وراءها لتعكير الوضع الأمني خدمة لهدفها المذكور!

    ملاحظة هامشية

    بتاريخ 29/1/2012 عقد اجتماع ضم كلاً من نوري المالكي والفريق زهير الغرباوي مدير جهاز المخابرات ووكيله سمير حداد والعميد ( هندرين ) مدير الشؤون الفنية في الجهاز لوضع خطة فنية عن زرع مقرات إقامة القادة العرب بكاميرات مراقبة وأجهزة تنصت حديثة حصل عليها جهاز المخابرات من الجانبين الأمريكي والبريطاني، والتجسس على اتصالات أعضاء الوفود فيما بينهم والاستفادة من ذلك في عمليات توريط وابتزاز سياسي لتجنيد من يمكن تجنيده من أعضاء الوفود.

    ما لا أريد قوله

    في ضوء المعطيات الآنفة الذكر تكون الدول التي ستشارك في مؤتمر القمة العربية المزمع عقده في بغداد، شريكة للمالكي وحكومته في المسؤولية الشرعية أمام الله تعالى عن أي جهد يضاف، بناء على حضورهم المؤتمر وما سينبني عليه، إلى جهود هؤلاء المجرمين الحثيثة في إنهاء الوجود السني العربي في العراق، وما يترتب على ذلك الجهد من قتل وتنكيل بإخواننا في سوريا على يد النظام الحاكم هناك. ألا وإن الله تعالى يقول: (وَقِفُوهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ مَسْئُولُونَ) (الصافات:24). ألا وإننا كلنا ماضون في النهاية إلى الله جل في علاه، وكلنا سنقف بين يديه. فماذا نحن له قائلون؟

    إلى ديانِ يومِ الدينِ نمضي وعندَ اللهِ تجتمعُ الخصومُ

    March 8, 2012 at 12:43 pm | Reply
    • Ray

      This is all greek to me :) No one can do a damn thing to Iran without paying a heavy price. Israel knows it best and that is why they want US to do their dirty work. I think Obama is too smart for that. Get ready for a NUCLEAR Iran and then Egypt and Turkey will go NUCLEAR Saudi's are not smart enough to develop their own. The real worry of Israel is that Arabs will go Nucledar like Persians and develop the bomb and then the Israelis cannot steal more Arab land anymore. it is really this simple....

      March 9, 2012 at 3:13 pm | Reply
      • Kadijah

        The Saudis are a whole lot smarter than you and your entire tribe.

        March 9, 2012 at 4:09 pm |
      • Kadijah

        mf saudi fy up real good.

        March 9, 2012 at 7:33 pm |
  211. antiayatolah

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    March 9, 2012 at 8:31 pm | Reply
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    March 10, 2012 at 12:44 pm | Reply
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    March 10, 2012 at 12:46 pm | Reply
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      March 10, 2012 at 5:42 pm | Reply
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  216. ARABIAN GULF

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  217. Rex Minor

    Give us one reasons why the USA reckons that Iran does not already have nuclear weapons? Is this not what the clintonians said about NKorea, before NKorea had to test th weapon? The aim of the sanctions is to push Iran, not to test or declare their program and to help them disarm without any loss of face. North Korea is now receiving on the promise that it is not going to test the long range missiles. Iran on the other hand is now involved with China to construct unmannd drones for transport purpose. Make peace with Iran and not war, were the words of Alexander the great. The Gulf countries are a bunch of sveral Las Vegas; Iran is a pwaceful regional power, with thousands years of civilisation. I do not like their Khalifa State, and would prefer them to make aseparate Vatican for their religious chief and let the Govt. b secular, transparent and forward looking. Neither the USA nor Israel has to fear this land. People must communicate with them, a dialogue not confrontation should clear the mistrust.

    Rex Minor

    March 11, 2012 at 11:28 am | Reply
    • Waleed

      Keep smoking whatever you are smoking abdul. We think differently than they do. They do not want peace at any cost. They want to martyr their children. Their religion calls for the killing of all infidels with total impunity.

      March 11, 2012 at 1:15 pm | Reply
  218. Bruce

    We need to stop Iran now, because if we don't the E.U. will and Germany will get involved, and we do not want that.
    Germany has started two world wars and if they pick up arms they may not stop at Iran. They may just try and go through the middle east. We have given Iran enough warnings, it is time to team up with Israel and stop them.

    March 11, 2012 at 9:14 pm | Reply
  219. Andrew

    Israel cannot let Iran get the bomb. It will do what it must.

    March 13, 2012 at 2:15 pm | Reply
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