Zakaria: Avoid another war in the Middle East
By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
President Obama has been trying to cool down the war fever that suddenly gripped Washington early this month. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit and the flurry of statements surrounding it have created a dangerous dynamic. It is easy to see how things move toward war with Iran. It is difficult to see how they don't.
The pressure is building on Iran, but there are no serious discussions of negotiated solutions. Israel has already discounted the proposed new talks. Republican candidates will denounce any deal, no matter how comprehensive the inspections.
So either Iran suddenly and completely surrenders - or Israel will strike. And Bibi Netanyahu knows that the window presented by the U.S. political season is closing. If he were to strike between now and November, he would be assured of unqualified support from Washington. After November, the American response becomes less predictable no matter who is elected president. The clock is ticking.
Read: Zakaria explains why oil prices keep rising.
Before we set out on a path to another Middle East war, let's remember some facts. First, Iran does not have nuclear weapons and the evidence is ambiguous - genuinely unclear - as to whether it has decided to make them.
But what if Iran did manage to develop a couple of crude nukes several years from now?
Obama says a nuclear Iran would set off an arms race in the Middle East.
But a nuclear North Korea has not led the two countries directly threatened by its weapons - South Korea and Japan - to go nuclear.
Read: Zakaria explains why Iran is a rational actor
Saudi Arabia and Egypt did not go nuclear in response to Israel's buildup of a large arsenal of nuclear weapons. After all, Egypt has gone to war three times with Israel. By contrast, it has not been in a conflict with Iran for centuries. So why would it go nuclear in response to Iran when it didn't in response to Israel?
Obama explained that a nuclear Iran would be a problem like India and Pakistan with their nuclear weapons. But India and Pakistan went to war three times in 30 years before they had nuclear weapons. Since they went nuclear, they have actually been restrained and have not fought a full-scale war in 40 years.
It's actually a case that shows the stabilizing, not destabilizing, effects of nuclear deterrence.
If Israel genuinely believes that deterrence doesn't work in the Middle East, why does it have a large nuclear arsenal if not to deter its enemies?
Iran's weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists, says the President. But would a country that has labored for decades to pursue a nuclear program and suffered huge sanctions and costs to do so then turn around and give away the fruits of its efforts to a gang of militants? This kind of reasoning is part of the view that the Iranians are mad, messianic people bent on committing mass suicide.
When Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey explained on GPS last month that he viewed Iran as a "rational actor," he drew howls of protest. But Dempsey was making a good point. A rational actor is not a reasonable actor or one who has the same goals or values that you or I do. A rational actor, in economics or international relations, is someone who is concerned about his survival.
The one thing we know about Iran's leaders is that they are concerned about their survival. The question right now is not whether Iran can be rational - but whether the U.S. and Israel can accurately reason through the costs of a preventive war and its huge consequences.
For my full article on this subject (behind a pay wall), visit TIME.com. For more of my thoughts throughout the week, I invite you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and to visit the Global Public Square every day. Be sure to catch GPS every Sunday at 10a.m. and 1p.m. EST. If you miss it, you can buy the show on iTunes.
 |
Post by: |
@fareedzakaria on Twitter
RSS
Fareed I watch you programme almost every sunday and I have never seen such partiality under the guise of debate. You always weight your programme in favour of Obama; you defend Obama regardless. Your panel today on Iran and Israel is conveniently positioning two American pundits versus two Middle-Eastern pundits who are pro-Iran. Your programme deserves to be scrutinised for its blatant bias and lack of rigour.
Rhoda Kadalie
So then why do you watch?
I watch to see what is not and never reported. You should do the same. See one side is for stupid people. Israel can only take one atom bomb period and not survice. Iran can take make and survive. Think, 18 miles wide???? Do not even need a full bomb
I watch to see what is not and never reported. You should do the same. Seeing one side is for stupid people. Israel can only take one atom bomb period and not survive. Iran can take many and survive. Think, 18 miles wide???? Do not even need a full bomb to destroy Israel. They are the only democracy in that region. That makes Israel rational and every other country in the Mideast dangerous.
Simple, and good, point.
would hate to have you controlling my destiny
H57, your logic is grossly flawed. As Israel is (for all intensive purposes) protected under the US nuclear umbrella, Iran would suffer massive atomic attack by the US carriers to all its military installations. If the single nuke launched by Iran hit a population center, all bets are off for every Iranian city.
I do believe a peaceful solution to the nuclear crisis with Iran is still feasible. It just takes a lot of diplomatic skills and tactics and I think the supreme leader and his followers could be persuaded to comply to the NPT regime. On the contrary, should Netanyahu launch a strike on Iran, he wouold have a thorn in his side for the rest of his life. The Iranians, whether they like their regime or not would all rally behind the leader and vow vengeance. Furthermore the powerholders would be even more mercurial and vindictive. The Israelis would have to fear even further more for their security.
I also agree that Iran is rational. They know it would be complete suicide for all of their people to launch a nuclear assault on Israel. I also don't agree with Israel's paranoid view of the world. I understand where it comes from, but don't believe it is rational. I might be damaged to in that way if a large nation targeted my ethnicity out for destruction, but it still doesn't make the paranoid delusions any more real. The jist of this is that Israel can't sleep well at night knowing that it is at all possible for Iran to nuke them. They would have the entire world fight world war III just to sleep well at night. I'm sorry guys, but you are going to have to sleep badly like the rest of us.
There is a saying: "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Zakaria is an enemy of the truth. He has been known to talk about the Jenin Masacre, an event which has been proven to have never occurred. A hoax. He is clearly anti-Israel, our ally and the only democracy in the entire Middle East.
CNN likes to employee "journalists" with questionable connections apparently. The article by Talal Abu Rahrm earlier today, a man tied to the al dura hoax, pure anti-Israel garbage, propaganda, not news. CNN covers the attacks on Israel in the past few days, with over 90 rockets aimed only at civilian areas, today hitting next to a school in BeerSheva-as though the Palestinian terrorists firing the rockets are the victims. Their coverage is propaganda, not news.
H57
The Arab world feels as much threatened as Israel if Iran managed to have nukes.
Texana
You probably one of those who believed Saddam Hussein had WMD. I never heard of anti-Israel propaganda from any U.S. media. By the way, I believe the U.S. has a great responsibility to make sure Iran does not develop nukes; I don’t want the U.S. to rush bombing Iran because Iran is set to retaliate on our soil. The plot is in the novel ‘Twins in Arms.’
just shut..you stupid camel jokey !!!!!
to johnB
just shut up !!!! your stupid camel jokey
Dear god, there are a good number of members of Isreali politics as well who don't want war. I find it strange that anyone saying 'hey... guys... do we really want to start an international conflict' are instantly labeled 'Anti-Israel'.
@ H57, Your argument does not hold ground at all ... think 18 miles wide ... any nuclear attack on Israel is going to cause more Palestinian deaths than all Israeli deaths put together thereby losing out on the very cause that Iran presumably is fighting for.
It is good to watch a diversity of reporting to get all sides, agreeable and disagreeable, to see what is being said. Israel would not do well in a nuclear attack, being the size of New Jersey, however, the Palestinian homeland would also become a nuclear sandbox in such an attack on Israel, and Iran, regardless of its size, would suffer incomprehensible losses, as well. There are NO real winners in a Middle East nuclear showdown. Let us not think otherwise, because it is delusional, and madness.
I stoped watching because his views are anti American, he is pro muslim and his approach is a wolf ia sheep cover. Of course he can't go off dirrectly anti american but view his shows and find out for your self. I will stop watching cnn soon if they keep ignoring the facts
I agree with Rhoda, and that's why I don't watch the show. It's just a nonstop Obama commercial. And I'm not a republican.
@ Rhoda and Zaka-Who – Fareed is not making propaganda for Obama. It doesn't require much thought to realise it.
Rhoda, the two so-called "Middle-Eastern" pundits are Daniel Levy, a British-Israeli political scientist and Rula Jebreal an Israeli born journalist. They're not pro Iran. They just don't see that war is an answer to the nuclear crisis.
Fareed, it was such a lively debate and it was really hilariously to see how Daniel Levy and Rula Jebreal argued with Bret Stephens and knocked some sense into the hawkish Elliot Abrahms.
Good FOR you! I applaud your intelligence. CNN is an Obama Propaganda machine....even while the Ship of America is sinking more and more.....
Ignorant...
Zakaria u have your head stuck in the sand. People like u r responsible for the holocaust. Appeasement and containment of an islamic fundamentalist state that repeatedly threatened the very existence of the jewish state is a fool hearty line of thought and u should stop th nonsense
I find this article very sideways and biased toward the Iranian regime. I disagree with you, Zak, and any other Muslim that thinks this article is OK. Iran is heading for a world of hurt and I hope they get it, ten fold. There are many forms of cancer and this, Islam, is maybe the worst.
Although I feel no animosity toward the jeweish people, and don't wish any of them to suffer or die, I have no problem with the demise of the modern state of Israel. I know alot of people in Chrstendom have been brainwashed into believing they have some special relationship with God, but if those supposed 'Christians' would actually gain an accurate knowledge of scripture, they would understand that the 'modern state' of Israel has nothing in common with the Ancient nation of Israel, and decendants of Abraham.
Ancient Israel and the system of worship that God gave them through Moses ceased to exist when the Roman army invaded and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 CE.
Your words betray your irrational hatred. Zakaria wasn't responsible for the holocaust, Nazi Germany was responsible.
Playing the Holocaust card, tired and all washed up, no one cares any more
jaeger
There is nothing in Zakaria article hint to be anti Jews or anti Israel. He’s merely advocating the public to judge things own their own. Beside, Israel always gets its wish from the U.S., but this time it’s going to be very costly. We better be prepared because the Ayatollahs are already had their sleeper cells to strike us at home. This is not a joke. Read the novel ‘Twins in Arms’. This is a warning.
Ahhh, Jaeger, playing the Holocaust card....again! This horrendous act happened what, 65 years ago and still as soon as someone makes a comment about Israel...it's the Holocaust all over again. Mosad's got so many Sayans in USA, we don't know which synagogue isn't a Mosad outlet. Oy vey
Actually, it was the Christians who committed the holocaust. But what the hell, lets make the Palestinians pay for it instead of the Germans by taking their homes and giving it to the Jews. These are the same Palestinians who, while the jews were hated and persecuted in christian Europe, treated the Jews as equal and gave them the same freedoms as they themselves enjoyed.
I presume Mohammed talked to Allah about giving you permission to lie?
"Zakaria u have your head stuck in the sand."
~~~~~~~~SAND?~~~~~~~
So how is he any different than any of the other talking head news reporters that are pro or anti-Obama ?
Zacaria, as a Muslim can not be objective. In order to look objective, he puts in some true, and a lot of lies. Iran is an aggressor, is involved in every conflict in the Middle East, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, African countries with a conflict, you name it. They have a plan to become an empire and control the oil in the Middle East (and as a result in the world), with a nuke they can threaten Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, and don't forget, the Hamas and other groups who are getting weapons and money through the tunnels, will be free to attack Israel and feeling safe that Iran will threaten Israel not to respond. Why Zacaria does not talk about it?
I'm preety shocked at this blatant bias. It's a dangerous game, people. We don't get nuclear dress rehearsals. And Iran is not trustworthy, Duh. Fareed should be charged with sedition.
Seriously? As a Muslim he cannot be objective? And what makes Christians and their views more objective? Or Jews? Or Hindus? Take about being prejudiced...
Zakaria is always pro-Muslim and is never a moderate. He does conceed that giving Isreal some heavy bombers will allow better nuclear deterrence to prevent Iran from developing ambiguous nuclear technology. Israel needs to act soon before Obama gets soft on Iran. If US doesn't provide mid-air refuel or conventional heavy bombers, I am afraid the only option is a nuclear war head to those sites... Ironically, Iran will get a nuke in an unintentional way. 😉
May be Muslim Zakaria as you say, cannot be objective. Also you, as fanatic prejudice Jews or Zionist are doing the same.
Excellent post Rhoda...
Zakaria is a Muslim with secret sympathies for Iran.
James, where did you hear that Fareed is a Muslim? Are you sure you know the difference between Arab, Indian, Muslim and Persian? Just wondering.
James: You are right but he (Zakaria) openly, not secretly sympathizes with Iran but he also openly protects and defends that stupid and deadly ideology called Islam.
Fareed Zakaria is indeed a Muslim. He was also, if memory serves, the wine critic for the Spectator Magazine. What that tells us is that he is a secular Muslim, just like many of us who are secular Christians. The only folks who would assume that his views are thoroughly colored by his religion are those who allow theirs to be; in other words, our American version of the Taliban.
Us protects Israel and Russia protects Iran. So nobody is going to Nuke nobody and Bibi knows this. What he is afraid of is losing the military edge in a region full of hostile countries that apparently even the sanctions cannot reign in. He knows that militarily, even with the A bomb he is no match for Iran and it's proxies, so he tries to drag us into a quarrel without any consideration that we are broke and we have no interest in fighting another war in the region. That man is Dangerous.
Russia protects no one, they simply want money. In the six-day war I believe (though it may have been another one) they were going to provide Egypt with arms to fight Israel. However, the US paid them the money, and they did not deliver the arms to Egypt, thus leading to Israeli victory
mardjan
There is a silent agreement between Israel and the Arabs to influence the White Houses to do the impossible to stop Iran from having nuclear weapons even through a war. Bibi is playing along knowing he hold the joker. If Israel attacked Iran on its own, the U.S. will be dragged in. But the U.S. knows very well that it’s not in Russia’s interest to let Iran develop nuclear weapons. Russia is only after the money and the prestige. In the mean time, it's a drama and higher gas at the pump.
Another demonstration of why women are not qualified to comment on world politics.
Back to the cave you go.
By yourself.
It is very convienient how the author left out the fact: Iran has claimed many times; We will wipe out Israel; We will destroy the U.S. ... So lets just sit back and wait for them.. to make the first move. Then more sanctions ( to show how week we are)???
Iran has actually never "claimed" such a thing. This is Faux News propaganda that keeps getting perpetuated. Show me one *credible* source that Iran has made such a threat.
He's left out a lot of things. Wonder what Iran is paying him.
David, are you suggesting that the US should go to war with every country that says threatening things?
You only take them at their word when it interests your narrative.
It's funny because you misspelled "weak" as "week" and now you look uneducated.
Major Tom
Ahmadinejad said it many times on separate occasions. And by doing so, Iran became the supper terrorist power of the Middle East. It took over Lebanon through Hezbollah, who fought Israel for over a month. Iran although through one of its loyalists, Mehdi El Sader’s army, fought the U.S. Army in Iraq and introduced the IED that killed many of our shoulders. Read Twins in Arms and I bet you will hate me.
germany killed all jews in ww2 and they all blame iran when they lived in europe they where the biggest peace disrupters
is just the meter of time when they turn around and start fighting us in the usa
The more Obama "Reaches Out" to the Islamic world, the MORE they despise him, not LESS. A Poll not long ago showed that Arabs had MORE liking for Bush than Obama. They overwhelmingly have No Use for him. Makes some of them smarter than American voters(!). Given a chance, Obama would throw Israel under the bus. THE Israelis know this, which is why they know they have really been left to their own devices to deal with Iran. Obama KILLED what WAS a strong alliance, and did it in order to suck up to the Arab world. Despite 9/11...Obama supported the building of a MEGA-MOSQUE just blocks from Ground Zero of 9/11...DESPITE the fact that the entire area contained ashes from over 1000 Victims of that Muslim atrocity. Those bodies were NEVER FOUND, Incinerated by Jet Fuel. You sure know how to go along with the wishes of Americans. Some 70+ percent were opposed to allowing that building, ever. It was a ruse, of course. Historically, when Muslims slaughtered a people, they would destroy their Churches and build a Mosque where the main Church was. That is what they did in Cordoba, Spain and the original name for this horrendous Mosque project was The Cordoba Project. You are so smart, Obama. You then decided to hold the trial of the alleged Mastermind of 9/11 in New York City, until N.Y.ers went NUTS. In a flash, you put a BULL"S eye target on the city for a Jihad attack. It would have bankrupted N.Y.C. just for security. Fortunately, you were FORCED to back down and keep the Bush decision to go with a Military trial.
Wow did you just say that more muslims liked Bush more than Obama. that is the biggest lie if i ever heard one. i live in a muslin country and they despise. i mean hate bush to the core. they like Obama because he is trying to work with the muslim countries and not just treating them like all terrorist. get your facts straight before saying really stupid comments
Israel will drag the US into a proxy war on Iran just as it did in the case of Iraq. According to international sources, Israel is the third largest nuclear power with over 200 warheads and the means to deliver them beyond the Middle East as far as Russia and Northern Europe. This little country is the greatest threat to the world and not Iran, Pakistan, India or N. Korea. Israel has the capacity to instigate a nuclear attack anywhere in Europe and claim it was a terror act by Iran or some Islamic movement and mobilize the Jewish internationally controlled media to sound the drums of war against the Arabs and Iran. Zionist control of the US media, finance and politics and the ability to control any US President and administration should be the biggest cause of worry to the world.
TRUTH
@Walid – Ibn – Truth!!
Uh Huh. That's all very sensible. Fanatical muslims murder the innocent in Israel Europe and the US and the jews are the problem. You need your head examined.
Walid
Well I’m sad to say that if the influential Muslims are as smart as the Jews there won’t be Palestinians living in refuge camps and be... You know as much as I know that the Ayatollahs and most of the Muslim clergymen preach to hate the Jews. So what you expect of them to surrender to the Muslims to be slaughtered. The Muslim majorities are peaceful people, but they have no control of their nation’s destinies. Have you forget already the suicides massive killing in Iraq between the Shiites and the Sunnis. They blew up mosques for God sake and you want the Jews to trust them. I won’t. Read the novel ‘Twins in Arms’ and you would probably call me an infidel and a trader.
Walid, I am a white American and I agree with you fully. Jews are constantly playing the victims with their Shoah revivals in order to keep everyone feeling guilty of what the Nazis did to them over 70 years ago, and this in order to mask the horrors of the Palestininan occupation. They are very cunning but it's going to backfire sooner or later. I don't see the American Indians or the Australian Aborigene trying to recover their ancestral lands. And I don't see the Western world trying to help them in the way they are helping the Jews occupy (illegally) the land they claim as theirs. The Western nations that back Israel are just as guily of religious fanaticism as the religious zealots on the other side. Add to that the oil interests and the bs about exporting democracy to the Middle-East (except to Saudi Arabia), and we have there the hypocritical face of the so-called "Western values". In the meantime, the Chinese are just watching and laughing at this Judeo-Christian-Muslim saga unfold while they take over the world quietly. Good for them, they are smarter than us.
Amen to that. Israel is the worst country in the world. It is an apartheid state and needs to be dealt with accordingly. I pray I live to see the demise of this rogue, land grabbing, murderous state. These Khazars should be sent back to Europe with Netanyahu. IRAN is not a threat with Nuclear weapons. Netanyahu perpetrates a lie to send the U.S. into another war, and our government is stupid enough to go. Damn these frigging isreali liars.
What TOTAL NONSENSE! There isn't a SINGLE Western democracy that is afraid Israel. In fact, Israel is partnered with a slew of European nations with exports to many, many of them of all kinds of Israeli goods. Israel is a high-tech powerhouse that led the G8 in growth last year. A leader in solar technology, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, computer technology and defence technology (thanks to Islamic Terror). The ONY nation afraid of Israel is....Iran. And no wonder. Iran is determined to be THE MAJOR controller of the Middle East. But Israel is stronger and smarter and given their Koranic mandate, they are obsessed with killing Jews. They collaborated with the Nazis during WW2 and Hitler even had Muslim units, promising them land. I don't know of ANYONE who stays up at night worried about Israeli nuclear weapons...anymore than I worry about those of France or Britain..........NONE! In a mere 63 years, Israel has created an EXTRAORDINARY democracy, with one of the highest percentage of college graduates per capita in the world. It has first-rate Universities/Research centers partnered with some of the Top Universities in the world and has produced MORE Nobel Prize winners within 63 years than the ENTIRE HUGE POPULATION OF THE Islamic world since 1911 (20% of the world population). ISRAEL INVENTS AND CREATES and the entire world owes it a debt for its output that benefits everyone.
Perfect Truth. What is democracy ? Israel has gathered all who agree with him and kills anybody else ! who called this democracy ? Democracy is for humanity , it is not form "Smart" . I should admit Jews are smarter than average human being but it does not give them the right to come somewhere occupy , kill and create war . IT IS NATZI.
You are very correct in your reasoning. The epicenter of threats to world peace is Israel and American Jews who have had control of Congress for more than 30 years. The power of this group was demonstrated in the latest meeting of the AIPAC, where they attempted to push the U.S. into another Middle East war to assure Israeli hegemony. The U.S. should dissociate itself from these people who have proven to be more loyal to themselves than to the U.S. These are "chutzpah" people!
... The calls for war with Iran have been going on for at least 20 years now. However, the question is who wants another Iraq war, but then worse? With an Iran with more then 78 million people, who will find a cohesiveness when attacked which Iraq could only dream of.
Nuke weapon. Existential. War on Iran. Israel. As if these Western sound bites of ignorance and political narrative represent the leading power in the US. Fact is, conventional military power is not all cut out as many make us believe. But thinking it is, is the greatest dangerous for Israel which is surrounded by more then 400 million Muslim guerrilla fighters if Iran is attacked.
Fact is also, of all terrorist suicide bombings of the last decade, not one was an Iranian. If Iran was so eager to use nuclear weapons against Israel, it could have easily bought nuclear material on the black market, in the exact same way some now say Iran will sell nuclear material on the black market. More over Iran has not waged war on any country as of yet, unless it was attacked first. So please spare us all the war mongering, and be intelligent instead of ignorant.
I have to say that Fareed Zakaria's analysis is excellent and very reasonable, perhaps no for the hawks like Natanyahu from a foreign country that wants to involve our nation in a war that they ( Israe}l should take care themselves, I* think Natanyahu is a very dangerous man for the world..
Are the most of you stuck in a fever dream of hallucinations? Some are not but most of you are idiots and you'll figure that out when it's tool late of course. Iran cannot have nuclear weapons! Period! This Iranian gov still arrests people for "invoking spirits" when there was a protest against an iranian military officials video. Invoking spirits? Really? And they are trying to be a nuclear power who also states that Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth? We need to neutralize Iran and to be honest , US should take over all of the middle east and bring these ignorant people into the 21st century. Muslims are the thorn in the side of a peaceful and civilized earth. We will never achieve peace on earth with idiotic Muslims running around like zombies preaching and following Islam.
Jerry, stop that typical zionist jew rhetoric, we are not impressed by your insults, they just show the type of person you are. I know another bunch of idiots who invoke gods at official government meetings (and cheated to get elected to power in 2000). Sounds familiar?
Rhoda Kadalie
I disagree with you 100%, but you probably agree with me on my novel 'Twins in Arm.' Different opinions is what make our ation so special.
Rhoda, I suggest you take Fareeds weekly quiz.
Your definition of an Obama lover is anyone who doesn't think the same way that you do about everything? I would venture to guess that Fareed knows a bit more about foreign affairs than you do.
you wasted 5 lines just to express your hate and no rationale to support a bloody war based on super UNCERTAIN ESTIMATES, and yet annoyed by valid historical points which you call "partiality under the guise of debate". What do you see in the mirror the day after thousands are dead and yet there is no piece of evidence to prove that Iran was after nuking Qods.
Maybe you should read the article again. English, after all, seems to be something other than your first language.
Thank God for this journalist; otherwise we'd be shipping off more poor kids to Iran while American Jewish kids would be going off to college and Wall Street. Please, publish more articles like this to balance all the stupid saber rattling. Remember, going to war because of the non-existance of WMS can cost many thousand of lives, and a bankrupt economy. Remember.
So you are saying that Obama is pro-Iran? I guess if you don't want to rush into war that makes you pro-Iran. Right?
First; consider the number of innocent CIVILIAN women & children killed by Israel in the past thirty years & compare equivalent killings by Iran, then decide which country is more "rational".
It is absurd to think that Iran will use nuclear weapons against Israel, as , the effects of such lunacy will result in causalities in Lebanon ( Hezbollah) , Jordan, Syria & to the Palestinians; people who are supportive of Iran.
Fareed's article is very reasonable & balanced. Nuclear balance between countries prevents wars.
Israel has caused more wars than any other country in the region, this wouldn't have happened if Egypt , Iran et al. had nuclear capability.
Karajan, Are you a complete idiot? How many people have the Israelis killed in the past thirty years? count them. Now, How mnay people were killed by Iran in the Iran Iraq war? A million (United Nations); how many people in Syria? 10,000 just in the past few months and tens of thousands of others by Assad and his psychotic dad (Human Rights Watch); how many people in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and other Moslem countries? you really want Iran to have a nuclear weapon? Are you sure? 12 million Jews have won 140 Nobel prizes. 1.3 billion moslems have won 6. Count that too. And ask yourself, why? I'll give you one good reason: because idiots like you are hell bent on destruction, not creation. That's why. Now go help Iran and Syria and Libya and Hezbollah and Hamas build nuclear weapons. Destruction is a lot easier than creation, moron.
Karajan, Are you a complete idiot? How many people have the Israelis killed in the past thirty years? count them. Now, How mnay people were killed by Iran in the Iran Iraq war? A million (United Nations); how many people in Syria? 10,000 just in the past few months and tens of thousands of others by Assad and his psychotic dad (Human Rights Watch); how many people in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, and other Moslem countries? you really want Iran to have a nuclear weapon? Are you sure? 12 million Jews have won 140 Nobel prizes. 1.3 billion moslems have won 6. Count that too. And ask yourself, why? I'll give you one good reason: because idiots like you are hell bent on destruction, not creation. That's why. Now go help Iran and Syria and Libya and Hezbollah and Hamas build nuclear weapons. Destruction is a lot easier than creation.
god bless everybody,
not just one people or country, we're all humans, therefore lets show humanity
Listen salad nicoise, stop trying to humanize the hell's rejects you hang with.
I'm so tired of these pointless opinion pieces. What ever happened to who, what, when, where and why? We are reading and seeing a little brown man trying to manipulate the future. When we should be looking at facts and acting on them. I don't need this person telling me his opinion, I need somebody to uncover the truth, report factually and reserve his opinion and his beliefs for himself.
We can not stand to go to War with Iran or any country for that matter. We have problems here that need to be resolved and with a congress that approaches No as a primary to anything that will help Americans. They would would rather push for War and Spend our tax dollars. But lets not pay the soldiers that fight, lets hold it it off because We can not see past race of the President. Scandalous ways of thinking, But hey this is an Opinion
How come when Fareed says what u like, you support him, but when he says what you don't agree with, you know want him looked at... So freedom of expression is not allowed in your world. Give people chance to debate and not "kill" someone that has a different opinion from yours
Israel having a nuclear bomb is not the same thing as Iran having a nuclear bomb. It's the same logic that tells us children should not play with scissors and inner city gangs should not have access to automatic weapons. It doesn't mean they're suicidal. It just means they are not mature and – or they are willling to kill a lot more civilians than we're willing to stomach. Al Qaeda also was a rational actor. But look what they did. Iran is a rational actor. But look what that Islamic cult has done over the past three decades. and look at Israel. I don't think anyone would argue that nnuclear bombs in the hands of those two is the same thing. But if you do, then you're an idiot too. As was demonstrated by the Iran – Iraq war, the wars in Africa, the recent civil war in Syria, and countless other struggles involving Moslem countries, human life is of relatively no value. That is not the case in Israel. So one nuclear bomb falling on Israel is devastating. While the same is not true from the perspective of Moslems. They just don't seem to care about their own people. Why would we assume that they will act rationally toward Jews and Christians. If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, we're all screwed. Good luck to the Israelis and Americans who are risking their lives stopping them, for the rest of us.
Islamic Government of Iran/Mullah wanted to get the control of region, not only Israel, They wanted most! They think that they are the leader of the world! Khameniie the supreme leader is Ben Laden number 2.
We grew a custom to the Israeli aggressions whenever the time for U.S. elections. As always, a U.S. president must show his loyalty and pledge the allegiance to AIPAC and to keep his mouth shut while Israelis using our F-16 to massacre humanity. I thought these are the same people who despised Hitler because he was doing the same thing to them! As our ex-president Jimmy Carter made it clear in his book, our government is elected by AIPAC and a U.S. president/Congress must pledge allegiance to the Israeli flag instead of America. Our economy is depilated for the sake of Israel and its wars. My son joint the army to fight for America not Israel and he already promised me that he will not fight in Iran and die in Iran for the sake of Israel. Every U.S. president candidate must promise and show his loyalty to Israel and his willingness to attack other countries on behalf of illegitimate country like Israel. Israel is claiming to be a peace loving nation at the same time occupying Palestine and massacring the Palestinians since Israel conception in 1948. History is very clear that there was nothing called Israel until England helped the Jewish people to take over Palestine. You can read the "Balfour Declaration" by the prime minister of England at that time Arthur James Balfour promising a Jewish homeland in Palestine before Israel existence which will shed some light on Israel love for wars.
This government is a military dictatorship like communist governments that put all the democracy and human right supporter in the jail and make tension in the region to buy time and make its dirty life longer. With making atomic bomb is looking for occupying or controlling all the region countries like Bahrain, Iraq, Afghanistan and....it's a poison for democracy.
Rhoda,
But in this case, do you agree with what is being said in this article? Set aside the bias claim for a moment and look at the situation from a higher level.
I think the biggest concern is whether Iran would sell their nuke technology to their proxy terrorist friends. It is probably true that a nuclear Iran wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to deal with, but only if there were safeguards that their technologies and materials would stay in Iran.
While Zakaria is keeping you all busy waffling about Iran and Israel, Obama's NBational Defense Authorization Act came into effect om March 2nd [60 days after he signed it on Dec 31st 2011]
The Bill contains provisions that effectively abolish the United States Bill of Rights. It grants Dictatorial power to the President to order the Miliary arrests of US citizens on US soil, and to detain them for an indefinite period.
"Americans should fear the new detention law" warns Igor Birman – Soviet refugee
"Obama says the Bill breaks with Our Values but signs it anyway" – headline in 'The Atlantic'
This Bill gives ONE man absolute power – the PRESIDENT. And no-body on CNN or any other major network has MENTIONED IT. What is WRONG with Americans?
To avoid war in the Middle East we must first break the alien grip on the US, such as AIPAC the jewish lobby.
Correct. Israel doesn't run the world, just the United States.
Wrong answer, Absalom. As a sovereign nation-state with the absolute right to exist, Israel has an absolute right to defend itself and its interests whether any other nation-state likes it or not.
Old Soldier: based on that argument/logic (which I agree with), doesn't Iran have the right to develop not just nuclear weapons, but also chemical and biological?
Iran is an aggressor, is involved in every conflict in the Middle East, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, African countries with a conflict, you name it. They have a plan to become an empire and control the oil in the Middle East (and as a result in the world), with a nuke they can threaten Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, and don't forget, the Hamas and other groups who are getting weapons and money through the tunnels, will be free to attack Israel and feeling safe that Iran will threaten Israel not to respond. Why Zacaria does not talk about it?
Iran is an aggressor, is involved in every conflict in the Middle East, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, African countries with a conflict, you name it. They have a plan to become an empire and control the oil in the Middle East (and as a result in the world), with a nuke they can threaten Saudi Arabia, the Gulf states, and don't forget, the Hamas and other groups who are getting weapons and money through the tunnels, will be free to attack Israel and feeling safe that Iran will threaten Israel not to respond. Why Zakaria does not talk about it?
Well 1965, ....If G_D is going to step in and take care of everything....What's the problem?
Yes indeed Israel runs this country and its politicians like slaves. They have to fight each other to please AIPAC before they are considered for office. AIPAC is the true White House and they veto anybody to any federal position who does not have a history of allegiance to Zionism. They are the nerves and arteries that sustain American life. Unless the 99% of Americans wake up to see that the 1 or 2% sucking their American blood and taking them down the drain, this country is doomed to become the sheep yard of the Zionist shepherd. In fact we have been for decades the workers who feed the "Happy Israelis". They even produce in Israel what is our main necessities and they control from Israel via Media and Hollywood our way of life. we may be already doomed.
Absalom
Yes. And you don't have to be born in U.S.A. to die for it and protect it. I wrote 'Twins in Arms' to show my love to this land. God bless the U.S.A.
Adam, you are right on the money, I couldn't have said it better. The AIPAC controls US foreign policy and punishes domestic politicians who dare speak againt zionism in Israel. I left the US to go live abroad so my kids do not get brainwashed by US-based media and Hollywood and today they make their own opinions of things and do not believe half of what comes from US-based media (especially Fox News) when it comes to international politics. In fact, thry themselves view the US as a zealot nation ready to go to war to defend the "chosen" people against all logic. A pre-emptive war against Iran, a nation that has not broken any international law (contrary to the US launching an illegal war against Irak) would assure a polarisation fo world opinion against US and Israel and increased risk of reprisal to these two countries for long year to come.
Are you a closet jhadist?
Perfect. No. Born and raised in the Southern United States. In the Deep South. Raised in a Southern Baptist Church. Studied the Bible and know more of it than most loud, sweaty preachers. My father was a great supporter of the Israeli cause and the Jewish people in general. My father was one of the first American soldiers to walk into Dachau and witness the ruination of those prisoners by the Nazis. He told stories of what he saw, and I listened, and I remember. No not closeted by any means, and neither are millions of Americans just like me what ache for justice and peace. Soon you will be the minority if you already are not, and our blood and worry will be spent on things better than standing on the necks of every country we fear for no good reason. Even as a child I knew that America's policy in the middle east should be framed in one simple question: What is best for the people who live in the Middle East. This in the end, will be best for for US, and our children.
When you have the ONE TRUE LIVING G_D on your side, it doesn't matter whether they have one bomb or a million. In the Holy Bible, it has already been prophesied that PERSIA will attack Israel and that G-D almighty, will defend Israel. Now, are YOU READY FOR THAT??!!
are you a bottle of ketchup??
Absalom -–Liar, liar, liar pants on fire. hehehe...
Dick Nixon
There was a rumor while back published in England that Ahmadinejad’s ancestors were Jewish. I would love to have his DNA to check out what brand of ketchups he is.
H57, are you a closet moron? or maybe a closet redneck? or even a closet high-school dropout? or a clost white trash?
Absolutely dum, you are full of sheep shiet.
Don't forget, Israel is the one true democracy in the region. Turkey might qualify today, which is another good point: they are both our allies. As such, you stand with them, you side with them against others. Would you rather we turn our backs on our allies?
China and Russia not true democracy, can US think of acting against them ever, I guess not.
Turkey will be qualified, with another president, who is more neutral, the current is causing provocations against Israel to gain popularity in the Muslim world.
However, is Israel really an ally as you suggest? It seems to be we (USA) are being used by an extremely conservative government with a very powerful lobby in this country. The Jewish vote means a great deal to our politicians.
Have they really contributed in some way to US? More than other countries?
They are Arms Merchants....Is that good? Seems hypocritical in some way.
"A true democracy".....Maybe, but they are certainly not of one consensus.
Polls in this country suggest a majority of Americans do not support war with Iran.Slightly lower IF Israel is attacked. However a preemptive strike is different.
What and If anything should be done about the Iranian Nuke Question should not be decided by a conservative majority in the Israel Knesett
I'm not at all for turning our back on any ally.
I am however, in full support of giving them a dope-slap upside the head when they do/say stupid things.
"alien grip" really? And Zakaria is right here:
" But India and Pakistan went to war three times in 30 years before they had nuclear weapons. Since they went nuclear, they have actually been restrained and have not fought a full-scale war in 40 years.
It's actually a case that shows the stabilizing, not destabilizing, effects of nuclear deterrence."
Yes! It is!
Just measure the amount of time given to the anti-Israel pundits you favour versus the two American pundits. That alone illustrates the bias and Fareed's uselessness in Chairing fairly and squarely.
We need more anti-Israel pundits to educate our politicians who are licking the backs of Israel to get support from the Jews community. America does not have to act as slaves of Israel supporting all their arrogant moves. They treat Palastine people like slaves, rob their lands and we who talk about human rights big way has nothing to say about it. American people are not all jews and we must stand together to force our politicians to re-evaluate this love affair with Israel.
Sam, I won't argue that Israel has treated the Palestinians poorly; too often, they have. But Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt could have done better, too. None of those nations will allow the Palestinians to become citizens, thus they perpetuate the problem. Israel took the West bank and Golan Heights from Jordan and Syria, respectively, after those nations attacked Israel.....
Please Sam, let us not equate Jews with Israel. There are many thinking Jews who do not toe the Israeli line about Palestine and Palestinians. If you think Israel is wrong, by all means criticize Isreal, but not all Jews.
@Rhoda.........truly your place is in the Kitchen and not this forum! c'mon choo off to the kitchen and get dinner ready!!
Someone should explain to Mr. Zacaria that avoiding another conventional war in the Middle East by allowing Iran to develop nuclear weapons is a bad solution as it will inevitably lead to a NUCLEAR war in the Middle East.
Oh stop it. Islam is a religion of peace... didn't you get the memo?
Umm, no one has ever said that we should let Iran develop nuclear weapons. For one they are years away from developing a nuke so if we can try sanctions, and diplomancy why not let war be a last resort. if Israel decides to go to war before exhausting all efforts I feel they do have a right to defend themselves. However, I don't agree that we should support them in any decision they make. Especially if we don't know for sure if that they are trying to develop a weapon.
The last statement made by China and Russia on this issue was along the lines of "Oh yeah, you just try it buddy!" So the situation really, really sucks large! And none of us obviously like any of it! But given the choice, I'd take mass Exodus over mass Extermination or Extinction any day.
@RZ ........Good Talk!!!
Iran will be the last country that these crooked nose Zionist pigs ever attacked,mark my words.
@Patrick A. – "crooked nose Zionist pigs?" That's kind of racist... kind of discredits your opinion.
What do you expect from a racist?
I agree. Such racism is ugly, and hypocritic of those who condemn racism against Middle Easterners.
Isn't that the truth!
DanBun – whose side are you on? You are pretending to be fence sitting.
What are you going to do about it? You can't do s** and it will happen wether you like it or not.
The sad part is that America has become a slave of Israel and dancing to their drum beat by violating every principle that founded this country. Our founding father would outright reject our foriegn policy if alive. This is a pathetic situation that we the people let influiencial Jews community in this country to control our politicians to act this way. In this case, let Israel do what they want. As an American we need to stay away. This is going to be bad for our economy too. Let the arrogance of jews burn them alive in going to an unnecessary war.
Historically, we have benefitted from out Israeli contacts. Since the 1950's, we obtained copies of most Soviet weapons systems, captured by Israel from the Arabs. This granted us a huge advantage by continuously having access to some of the Soviet's best equipment (tanks and planes, especially).
it's not about being a "slave" to israel.
It's about having a staunch ally in the middle east to be used as needed to help the oil flow.
if the middle east did not have oil, we would not be there....
oh...I see.
it's "Patrick A*s*ole"!
Sorry for brother ignorance. we try control him but he no take his pills today.
"Patrick A."–where "A" stands for "Аѕѕhоlе."
Avoid? That's a good idea, but that doesn't mean we should just let Iran have nuclear reactors and soon after nuclear weapons. It's bad enough we've had India and Pakistan on the brink of a nuclear conflict, you want to add an even more volatile situation like Iran and Israel both having nuclear weapons? The prime minister of Iran has already publicly attempted to minimize the Jewish Holocaust and made the suggestion that Europe give up some land so that the Israeli's have a homeland far away. Who knows what they are saying and thinking behind closed doors if that is what they are saying publicly. Yes avoid war, but just as importantly avoid Iran getting nuclear reactors.
Do you really think Israel, or even the USA, can surgically strike Iran and destroy all of their nuclear facilities? For how long? A few years? And since we have thus attacked them, are they right to attack us? Would their attack be a justified act of retaliation? You know if we attack them, civilians will be killed too. This is an ugly Pandora's Box you are advocating....
In the last few 'wars', the U.S. has been docile. We held back- a lot. Iran may be big, but they will most likely find out they are just too big for their britches. Yes, I do believe we could entirely wipe out Irans' WHOLE military. The question is will we do it in the nicey nice politically correct way we have been using or will we actually break out some of our bigger more high-tech weapons to really level them. I am not talking about Nukes. The world perceived us as weak when our last 'Shock and Awe' campaign fell kinda flat. It won't be that way this time and it won't be because Israel is controlling us. Iran has been our enemy for decades and a constant source of terrorism throughout the world. Their time is up.
Fear monger.
I don't know if they can surgically strike and take out their reactors, but that is not my point. You sound like you want to just give up and put the Middle East in a precarious place. Whether it be a military or non-military solution, something *effective* has to be done to prevent them from getting the reactors and eventually nuclear weapons. They have a large solar energy plant – let them make more of those instead.The problem is that sanctions don't appear to be working, so if you have any other ideas we'd all be glad to hear them.
I agree 100% with you, Fareed, it's about time a voice of reason should be heard. We saw the same frenzy about Iraq, until the truth finally surfaced when it was too late. Keep reminding Americans that while we remember 1979, Iranians remember 1953, and neither is a rationale for perpetuating the current nonsensical war of words, and even less for a real war.
You can move to Iran with him and have a good time.
What are you so afaraid of? You want to silence those you don't agree with?
DanBun – the only ones who want to silene us are the Arab fear mongers like you. As if, as if, free speach is something your tribe knows anything about.
Justice, how nice of you to decide who can move where, and you are against Iran because it's a dictatorship, right?
Maybe you should move, anywhere will be fine.
CNN needs to fire Zakaria Pro-islamist anti-american ba*****
Not at all. I like the fact that CNN has these different points of view. If you want mono-politics, watch FOX News.
Sure Fareed needs to be fired. If only the US media would fire all the Jewish Israel-Firster journalists.
Are you implying that differing opinions are allowed in the Arab world?
The media has played the American public with such propaganda to influence and stir the pot. Right now, as I see it, everyone is crying "Wolf!" regarding the possibility of Iran generating nuclear weapons. IF our so-called "elected officials" start running scared, Americans will be involved in yet another "conflict" with hardly any military resources or funding to support a armed response with or without proof of nuclear weapons. If the shoe were on the other foot, and we were simply trying to build nuclear power plants, and everyone else was saying we were developing weapons, would not our leaders be just as defensive? Our country does not need this now. We have our own household to take care of at the moment. Our citizens might ought to consider being a bit more objective, rather than immediately jump to unsupported conclusions, or take unnecessary actions.
Ignoring the deadly threat of nuclear Iran to the entire world will not make it disappear.
Like ignoring weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?
Iran has regional missiles, at best. And apparently, not very accurate. Then do not have ICBM technology. Thus, their ability to threaten the rest of the world is a bit extreme.
I appreciate your wit.
Another US citizen who shows that America is not fully lost to Zionism. This country fought many wars to come to be what it is:
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
What have we done to loose our prestige and become ourselves slaves to Zionism???? National interest is to protect and provide our citizens with the pursue of happiness. We are the worst country in the world in school shootings...Maybe we should invest the billions of dollars to save our children rather than sending them to Israel, Egypt, Jordan , Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indian etc...
If you can't see through the facade that the utlimate goal is nuclear weapons and not nuclear power, you're incredibly naive. With all the Iran military buildup in the Strait of Hormuz and the veiled threats that they can close it down, they are a severe threat to their oil producing neighbors and cutting the world's oil and natural gas supply in half, then blackmailing the world. Imagine if they had nuclear weapons in addition to that? Nevermind Israel, the arab nations nearby them don't want them to have nukes. Iran is 2nd in natural gas reserves, 4th in oil reserves and has low rainfall/abundant sunshine for solar power, so there is no legitimate reason for them to pursue nuclear energy. The countries that have nuclear reactors but not nuclear weapons (and there are some) do not have the abundant natural resources that Iran has.
Iran has as many legitimate reasons to produce nuclear power as Israel has them to have 300 nukes. So far the real threat to the region has been Israel since its inception and Iran has a legitimate right to build defenses against this perceived threat. It is Israel that is occupying Palestinian land illegally and not the other way around. Nukes are the best deterrent against any future aggression or occupation by Israel against its neighbors.
Why are pakistans nukes not questioned?
It hid bin laden.
It is supporting taliban which attacks american troops most of which is based in its own country.
Yet we are giving money to pakistan but threatening iran.
Threatening iran is not wrong but giving money to pakistan is.
Some experts say that pakistan was the country which helped iran in its nuclear ambition.
North Korea might have helped, too. But this ignores Iran's own nuclear abilities. They have long sent students overseas for education. Do that long enough and thre should be no surprise that they can now educate their own students. Not as well as Western Universities, but well enough.
It is guys from Western universities that destroyed the world economy, I pass on that type of education.
The same reason we don't question Indian nukes and delivery missiles which were gifted by South Koreans at the behest of USA. Quid Pro Quo....Dr. Watson !!! Kapiche???
I think you are out of your mind Fareed when you state that Iran should have nuclear power..
What would you expect from a guy named fareed. He's one f them.
His father is pro-islamist. Taking after him
He is a US citizen. From India, originally.
And you are an Iranian citizen born in a sandpit somewhere.
Did he go to the same madrasa as Obama ?
Well Justice, Surprise he is too educated for you and your rightwing buddies. How arrogant of him to make rationale statements that are in the best interest of the United States.
"Zakaria attended the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University,[1] where he was president of the Yale Political Union, editor-in-chief of the Yale Political Monthly, a member of the Scroll and Key society, and a member of the Party of the Right. He later earned a Doctor of Philosophy in political science from Harvard University in 1993,[1] where he studied under Samuel P. Huntington and Stanley Hoffmann"
[edit]
Good points, now wait for the genuises out here to say his professors were "socialists" etc.
Which is it , socialists or jahadists? Oh well , I guess it doesn't matter we just don't like the man.
It doesn't matter where he studied. You can go to any university and still has islamist views and anti-american. Look at who Obama associated with! reverend wright!
Only fareed would argue that the world has nothing to fear by having a nuclear Iran. Fareed your motives are manipulative yet clear. Your show s nothing but a platform for Obama, and your Arab brothers.
You are being ignorant. He is NOT Arab. He is Indian, by descent. HUGE difference, even if they are both on the Asian continent.
Who you are is totally dependent on your current thought patterns.
Ala: true. But so much depends on your heritage, as well.
I might agree with you if the person is 18 years old and under. After that, no more excuses, you are who you are.
Michael, your prejudice shows through your ignorance of who the arabs are.
I wasn't sure they had conspiracy theorists in Canada but thanks for verifying the fact. You believe the democratically elected president of the US is on the side Iran. Very bright guy you are.
HOLD ON A SECOND, IS THAT YOU FAREED? I don't know your age but I grant you respect for taking the courage to spit some words of wisdom. Will you be fired by your employer or is it a reality that cannot be hidden anymore from the US citizens who are after all the ones paying for Israel's arrogance and wars? Did Netanyahu fail to persuade American leaders to steal American tax payers to finance a war with Iran? Does the current tax period trouble the US government to the extent they cannot venture in another war because after citizens are paid their tax returns, nothing will be left for Israel to take? WELL DONE FOR ONCE, FAREED!
You have to wonder what Israel's true endgame is. Peace or anything like it clearly works against their interests. If they can persuade Americans that all the muslim world is evil the the better for them. We fight, we send our children and fathers to war after war to die and come home wrecked, and all the while politicians like Lieberman and Gingrich race fatuously old and wasted for more of it. What if the billions and billions and billions were better spent and the lives lost and ruined on all sides were better cared for. And what if we tell our elected officials to stop throwing so much good away. Because we're damn tired of it. And for what. Does Israel think standing alone atop a pile of smoking rubble is worth all this? Certainly not.
You'r absolutely right!
The name you are borrowing is "Absolom" moron.
So you advocate ditching an ally? What does that say about us?
Ditching an ally is worth doing if it's a one-way relationship that costs us way more than reasonable. If we made allies of the rest of the Middle-East Israel would have to behave and shut up and there would be real peace in the region.
You make some acute points my friend around the idea of preventing war with Iran, however they seem to fizzle when you hear the cries of, " Death to America " and that Israel should cease to exist, people tend to do what they truly believe.
"people do what they believe". If the US was to invade or go to war with every country that says "death to America" the world would have ended long ago. How about we invade Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, etc? Threats and bullying are strategies of the weak. If some one wants to destroy another country why announce it and not just do it by surprise?
The US rightfully and wrongfully has many "enemies" it cannot live in perpetual war or resolve all the worlds problems.
It's time it has a more realistic idea of what it's limited interests are, the age of the global hegemon is over.
.. Fareed ... this says all.... He is one of them... which SHOULD immediately disqualify anything this paid pro-islam lackey has to say here at CNN.
Your ignorance and xenophobia should be enough to disregard anything you say. I wonder is you could pass a grade school geography class.
Fareed Zakaria cannot change the fact that Israel will bomb Iran. If he doesn't like it he should go back to india where he belongs.
so then Israel bombs India?
Israel cannot reach India (with planes, at least). Plus, India has a rather larger military (especially a navy that Israel cannot match). And, more importantly, these two nations ahve numerous ties in teh intelligence areas. Remember, a Jewish state and a Hindu state have one thing in common: they are in a region populated by Muslim states.
That would be an even match, India with million man professional army and one nuke for every 30000 Israelis, and a fail safe delivery system. However India and Israel are friends unless one of them misbehaves!
Justice, you are truly an idiot. Are you an American Indian? If not you should go back to where you or your unfortunate parents came from.
You mean an Indian American! Americans Indians home is USA.
Has Fareed said that he can do anything about it? What do you plan on doing? I guess not a whole lot.
What is wrong with a nuclear war in the middle east? Then the jews and the arabs wouldn't matter anymore.
Fallout would eventually reach the USA....
Only if we get involved.
Nuclear fallout, the physical kind. Doesn't matter if we're involved or not.
There is an additional argument that no one makes. If either Israel or Iran dropped a nuclear bomb, do you expect the radiation fall out to follow a geographical map? That is, if Israel drops a nuclear bomb on Iran do you think the radiation fall out would just stay in Iran? Do you think the countries around Iran are gping to accept such an action?
Additionally. what is the crieria for the global community to decide if a country can or cannot have a nuclear bomb? Because we like Israel we are OK if they have a nuclear bomb but because we do not lilke Iran they are not allowed to.
The current lack of debate about nuclear bombs and the rise in the price of oil is absurd. The current political discourse is even more absurd and I am sure makes the global community wonder why they would want to support any American political leader all of who lack a real world view.
2006 Israel rushed into a war with S. Lebanon and they paid a heavy price. Iran is not S.Lebanon.
They paid a heavy price because they bent over backwards to avoid civilian casualties. If the gloves come off, you're going to see what the Israeli military can really do.
We too paid a heavy price in Vietnam, because we did'nt take our gloves off. Military might is nothing unless you are willing to use it. And unjust use of that might can make you an International pariah!
THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE WORST SHOW AND ANCHOR ON CNN. WHAT A JOKE
Oh really Ron? What would be a good show? O'Reilly? Maybe you're not up to understanding the program.
Fareed, you have just asked the central questions in this debate: What about Israel's nuclear weapons? And, if nuclear weapons are such bad ideas, how come those who have the most are fighting the hardest to keep it away from the have-nots?
Until we clear up this hypocrisy, nothing will move. For Israel to be fighting like hell for others to do its dirty job by starting another war is silly. Only the silly will fall for that, especially one currently involved in two long wars. I think it's time to tell Israel that if it's itching for war, let it start and fight one.
Regardless, the nature of this debate should be to either allow the have-nots of nuclear weapons to get it for balance of power; or, to tell those who have it (namely, Israel) to give it up for nuclear-free Middle East.
That is a "pipe dream." Pacifism is among the surest paths to war.
Unfortunately, you are too often right here. But militarism is another quick way to war, as well. There must be a balance, and perhaps Teddy Roosevelt said it best: speak softly and carry a big stick. Just don't be in such a hurry to swing it.
Old Soldier, judging by your name you must love war. I just hope you're of the right age to still be a soldier. The US has not "won" a war since World War II. It's time to find a new career. I hope you're not supporting one of the three Republican "chicken hawks".
VERY DISTURBING ARTICLE AND INCITING AGAINST AMERICANS!
Shame to all that approved this to be publish !
Freedom of Press and Freedom of Expression. In this nation, we should not limit these thing because you find them uncomfortable. What you advocate is fascism.
Yes, DAn D,. Peace is very "inciting to the US"
Inciting what against Americans, Islamist pig.
Fareed, Please pick better guest – Kissinger? An old brain with old viewpoints on the Middle-East. War with Iran Is plain stupid. AAW
Waleed, Stupid in your Arabic slang is please do not bomb my moronic brothers–THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.
Good thing none of you guys are me.
It is worth noting that Iran is almost surrounded by nations with nuclear weapons. Israel, Russia, Pakistan, India, and China all regionally (and Russia & Pakistan border Iran). Let's not forget, US and British submarines in the Indian Ocean also carry nuclear weapons. In such a situation, wouldn't we want nuclear weapons to deter attack, too?
Fareed, a disgraceful display of partisan, pro-Iran and anti-Israel sentiment. At least, as they say, your heart is on your sleeve as you try to claim moral equivalency between the Iranian regime and Israel.
If we were in the late 1930s, you would be saying something like "Herr Hitler's rhetoric shouldn't fool us into thinking he's not a rational actor – don't do a pre-emptive strike against the Nazis and above all don't be swayed by Jewish and Zionist warnings of Hitler's intentions..."
What a disgrace, Fareed. Shame on you and on CNN.
To argumentatively defend Iran: how often have they attacked their neighbors? When was the last time Iran launched planes or tanks or missiles against any of their bordering countries? Recall the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq started it.... Israel has, however attacked her neighbors (although more often has responded to attacks).
The point, brainless one, is that Iran is a sleaz bucket and they get others to do the dirty work for them, all the time claiming having clean hands.
Ala: appreciate the thoughtful and respectful "brainless one" comment. I won't argue that Iran hasn't helped out groups we don't like; they certainly have. But we also have done similar things throughout our history. Look at the OSS and CIA, for starters. We may think our actions justified, and perhaps they were. But those actions also proped up the Shah of Iran, and we pay for that even today....
Action-Reaction and then hindsight. If in fact, we had not made any mistakes in the past, would we be in a better place today? We think we would be in the same place because the enemy is still the same–brainless, war mongering, zealots, ...
Can you NAME a single country Israel attacked witout being attacked first?
If we played it straight then our enemies would laugh at us. Is that what you want?
Israel also attacked USA when it bombed, torpedoed and stafes USS Liberty killing scores of American soldiers serving USA thousands of miles away from home and their loved ones. Not to mention Jonathan Pollard , a traitor, spying for Israel under Isreali handlers.
Fareed has been anti-Israel & anti -Jewish his whole career...people are just starting to wake up..
& they say Jews own the media...bullcrap...Pro -Islamists own the media
Bobby, what planet are you from? I have listened to Fareed's show for years and read his books, there is absolutely nothing anti-Israel or anti-semitic about him or his shows. You've got some serious problems if you think otherwise. He simply doesn't toe the official American or Israel lines. The same is true of many Israelis. But maybe you think they're also biased.
David,
"Shame on you" why bring the Nazi's into the debate? Unless you mean that if someone differs with the official Israeli foreign policy they are Nazis.
I agree that war should not be taken off the table, but it should be the very last thing on the table. No one wins in a war, if lucky, one side may lose less, but there are no winners. If we reach the point of war, we have failed.
Could Iran's political leaders actually win either way, whether Israel (or the US) would attack Iran or not? In the first scenario they might still see it as a political victory, could they not?