Congressional zero-enrichment demand will “lead to either an Iranian nuclear weapon or a new war”
In an important piece in the LA Times, Daniel Kadishson explains how Congressional demands for “zero enrichment” as the only acceptable diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear impasse is obstructing legitimate chances to ensure Iran does not build a nuclear weapon and to prevent war. “To prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon,” he writes, […]
The Danger of the “Nuclear Capable” Standard
How difficult would it be for a President to drag us into another war in the Middle East based on questionable justifications? According to George Friedman of Stratfor, it would be quite easy: The most obvious justification would be to claim that Iran is about to construct a nuclear device. Whether or not this is […]
Fueling Ethnic Tensions in the Persian Gulf is Not a Strategy for Middle East Stability
Washington risks entering into a game of escalating provocations with Tehran even as continuing efforts to restart talks in November are underway. Iran’s announcement that the two US hikers being held Evin prison will now face trial just ahead of the talks is no coincidence. The move is particularly shameful considering that these US citizens […]
After Postponing Announcement, Bush to Open Interests Section After Election
According to David Ignatius of the Washington Post, the Bush administration is planning to announce the opening of a US diplomatic interests section in Iran following the November 4 election. Plans for the announcement had been postponed in August out of fears that it would unduly influence the Presidential election. The issue of foreign policy […]
Congressman Ed Markey on the US double standard
In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal today, Massachusetts Representative Edward Markey makes an important point: the US has no business championing Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy program in light of the country’s vast oil wealth. But he also overlooks an equally important one: in working with Saudi Arabia and signing nuclear agreements with the Arab states and Israel, the US is helping create the very nuclearized Middle East that experts warned would come as A RESULT of a nuclear Iran. Preemption anyone?
In the Holiday Season, No Room for Warmongering
President Bush’s interview on Radio Farda should leave no doubt that Iran is still in the crosshairs. At the beginning of the end of his presidency, President Bush leaves the legacy of a ruinous war in Iraq, a destabilizing situation in Afghanistan, and an inflammatory situation with Iran that his administration cannot (or perhaps, will […]