Despite Obama's sanctions, Ahmadinejad can keep smiling

He one said that we would know him by the people he surrounds himself with, mostly leftists, socialist and communists The people are catching on rather fast, as of today he ordered the Secret Service not to fire on anyone with a criminal record What a whack job, how is a S.S. Supposed to know if the fellow with the gun in their hands has a criminal record He's also told the world tht the U.S., will never use nukes for self-defense, no matter what type of weapon the enemy is using against us.

Obama is a centre-left pragmatic Democrat, if you actually think he is a ccommunist or a socialist or whatever then you need a basic civics lesson on what those terms actually mean. As for the birth certificate and being "muslim in his heart of hearts" good to see prejudice is alive and well! Obama is not a Muslim but so what if he was? Would that be a disqualifier for President? I love how people claim the birth certificate isn't about race, was Bill Clinton or the Bushes or Reagan or Carter etc ever asked about theirs? No. It is an effort to portray Obama as "foreign" and not like us....makes me sick that people believe it.

# 45 Todd. Let it suffice to say that in his heart of hearts he is a Muslim. No more ado !

Obama has proven himself to be a mix of Marxism, Socialism and Fascism. He lied through his teeth to get himself into office and is implementing Saul Alinsky's tactics to turn the U.S. into a twisted form of Communism. He will NOT succeed, as America is, thank God, still a largely patriotic, freedom-loving country. Obama will be reviled in history as a world-class con man on the scale of Hitler, Mussolini, etc. If it is ever discovered that he lied about his citizenship, he will lose his Secret Service protection after his elected term........

Or are Arab-Israelis discounted?

Israel is widely thought to have had nukes just prior to the "67 war(some even suspect it may have been the "cause" of that war), and definitely before the one in '73. Egyptian and Jordanian peace with Israel resulted from the pragmatism of their leadership at the time; not from Israel's nuclear capabilities. And Syria today, despite a pragmatic leader who's interested in pursuing an equitable peace with Israel, has not hesitated to indicate an intention of military involvement in defense of Lebanon should Israel again attack it militarily. So much for THAT premise of yours. As for your blatantly racist assertions about Islam, and Muslims, it reflects the ignorance of views based on the narrow-minded and uninformed stereotyping so often used by the right wing and religious zealots to sow fear and and incite hatred. The very same crap that's used by all extremists and zealots. And in response to it, I realize that YOU are not interested in any facts that contradict your racist views, but I will respond with a reference for the sake of any readers who prefer facts over stereotypes and prejudice. A Gallup Poll released a few years ago, and the book and documentary it generated, indicates that your stereotypes are invalid, and that only 7% of the world's Muslim population is "radicalized", and that even among those who are, religion is NOT the basis their radicalism. The poll actually refutes all the assertions you make about Muslims. And by the way, the real percentage of "terrorist" radicals is even less, because that 7% includes anyone who feels that terrorism is justifiable, not just those who involved in it. I'm not going to hunt down a link to the actual news release of the poll, because an internet search is flooded by results for the book('Who Speaks for Islam?'), and the film documentary('Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think'), but here's a link to an article highlighting some of its findings: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iZlsZRgzHmgwj6sKpA7PR5F5Ecsw And finally Jerusalem Jew, one simple finding of this poll, which points out a big difference between you and the vast majority of Muslims, is what they despise the most among their own is "narrow-minded fanaticism and violent extremism".

Arabs knew Israel had weapon. But they also knew Israel would distroy area for generaions. The Muslim countries know the the little Hitler in in Iran doesnt care who he kills

Firstly, I was talking about the current Iranian leadership. Secondly, I wasn't talking about ALL muslims, but about the ultra-islamists. Thirdly, I would like to remind you to which religion 99.99% of the world's suicide bombers belong to. Any idea, Josia, or would you rather like to forget this fact? Fourthly, by 1945 a full third of world Jewry was annihilated, because the world couldn't give a rat's a--.It's not for nothing that one of the most important mottos of the Jews is NEVER AGAIN. Now that Israel exists, it is ready to do ANYTHING in order for the Holocaust not to be repeated. So, if, suddenly, Israel destroys Iran's nuclear installations, don't be surprised, but do not expect Israel to give a d--- about people like you condemning us afterwards.Better you condemning us that Israel to be nuked by Iran or by its proxies.

If I was a betting man I'd bet that his will probably be the first time Israel will start a war without the "permission" of the US.

Madindehead has stated that Iran is prepared to sacrifice a large portion of their country in order to annihilate Israel .

Obama may like to push Israel around but although Obama might be able to dictate to the politicians but he can't control who people vote for and politicians put their careers first and to do that they need to keep Israeli voters happy first not the US president. Accept the problems Obama will give us afterwards but the Israeli politicians will have done what they needed to do to keep the voters happy. Deal with 1 problem at a time Even without the US warplanes Israel can hit Iran using other ( non US weapons ) Dolphin submarines launching cruise missiles. Jerico 3 ICBMS Israeli designed combat UAVS If Israel tried to do things that way the first Obama would find out about the attack when Iran did so there is nothing he can try do to stop it and he will just have to accept the consequenses that Israel had actually done somethng itself instead of sitting around waiting for Obama to gve us the permission that will never come.

is like British PM Neville Chamberlain getting used to a Nazi German takeover of the Sudetenland - and then all Czechoslovakia - in 1938. Iran's aims are for hegemony and empire - and wiping the Jews of the face of the Middle East, for starters.

Israel has the protection of the US and has no need of nuclear weapons. If it stopping trying to goad it's 'allies' into wars on it's behalf, abandoned Apartheid, and put it's nuclear weapons on the table - "the world" would be a safer place.

If Israel agrees to destroy its nukes in exchange for Iran detroying its nuclear plants, I can go with that. Why do you think Iran wants nukes? Israel has nukes, so Iran may want them also. I am not sure we can prove they are developing nukes or not. If Israel attacks Iran without permission, it would destabilize Iraq, and the US wouldn't want to help an Israel dealing with Iranian missiles and fighter planes. Iran has been rebuilding its strength since 1988. That's 22 years. I am sure they are prepared for a war wih Israel. Is Israel prepared for the damage?

Beautifully said...well done! Thank you....

Talking about Israeli nukes. As things stand today, Israel is the only country in the Middle to posses? nukes, thus providing incentives for other regional countries to seek the same. The notion that Israel is a sane a country and will use it only as weapon of last resort is totally unreasonable. What last resort means to you, or me, might mean complete different thing to the settlers who are gaining more power in the political and military arenas in Israel as we speak. Moreover, why should Israel enjoy a weapon of last resort and not Iran? Again, the notion that Israel is the only Jewish state surrounded by 22 Arab states is not a reasonable one. The same argument can be declared by Iran. Israeli nukes, weather you like it or not, are going to be in the center of any resolution of Iran going nuclear.

I think it is the best that the whole world will attack the country which start the war. The nuclear stuff is not good for all the other countries.

Even German chancellor Anga Merkel is'nt serious on sanctions against Iran. The Germans want to stay the Number One trade parter of the Ayathollas. Period!

that thinks nothing of killing it's own people, remember all those recent riots & street demonstrations and killings

Israel has had nukes for over 50 years When was the last time Israel threatened another nation's destruction as Iran has Iran has mentioned numerous times that her rockets are capable of reaching Europe and tht includes Denmark, where and your fellow Arabs live

Your treatice on how deterrance does not work on muslims shows your racist views. Most Muslims have no interest in martyrdom than most jews have for going to their pariadise, which we all know is Miami Beach! Now, see how bigoted that sounds when we lump all jews the same as you do with muslims? Until Israelis get past their bigotry, they feel they cannot negotiate with muslims, as they are irrational. Same for bigoted muslims. Get over your naitionalistic bigoted rhetoric!

Iran's per capita GDP (PPP) ranking worldwide per IMF @ #71 (between Granada and Kazakhstan). US, Israel, EU well aware of the economic hole Iran digging for themselves, and serious sanctions will only hasten their descent to their financial, political, military neverland.

The deployment, selling or distribution of nuclear material in the most volatile region on earth. If folks think security measures at airports are tough now... Say thank you to the world leaders who ensured the greatest victory for the lovers of chaos and terror. At least 30 million more Americans will be able to purchase unaffordable health insurance.

Who hits Pakistan, Somalia, Sri lanka, Sudan, Algeria, Burma,East Timor, Yemen and Indonesia? Who murders the opposition to the self elected repressive Regime in Iran. Who murdered Fatah opposition in Gaza beating their own people with baseball bats and throwing others from the rooftops. Who gassed their own people? You don't see a pattern emerging???

that Egypt and Jordan finally understood that Israel cannot be beaten militarily, otherwise they'd STILL try to annihilate Israel.This is also why Syria doesn't dare attacking Israel directly, even after Israel destroyed the Syrian nuclear program, but uses its proxies, such as hizbollah and hamas instead.What you don't seem to understand is that Ahmadinajad and the rest of the ultra-muslim nutcases are convinced that, once they kill as many Jews and Westerners as possible, they will go to heaven.Look at all the suicide bombers, dreaming of 72 virgins in muslim paradise.Your mistake, Echo, is that you view the Iranian leadership as rational.Even if Israel retaliates and destroys most of Iran, there's only need of ONE nuclear bomb to destroy Israel's largest population concentrations.This is why Iran's nuclear program has to be destroyed, before Iran's leadership sacrifices Iran .Please think about that, before you offer unrealistic theories, based in wishful thinking.

Obama said there is evidence Iran is near the capability, not that Iran is using this capability in now developing nuclear arms. Of course they are close to that capability after they have to enrich to 19,75% LEU, prohibiting US they can buy that abroad, as any NPT member is entitled to without special conditions as in the UN brokered swapdeal. Still yesterday Iran said it is prepared to the swapdeal on the reasonable condition that delivery will be assured. Ater execution the world can control by the IEAE if Iran uses its nuclear capabilitity to more than 4,5% Leu. It is time to rethink about the iranian demands for the swap deal and the advantages of the execution, what gives more security than the suggested weak sanctions can achieve. After the sanctions they maybe conclude it is better to leave the NPT if the advantages of that membership for them are reversed in sanctions and than nothing can be controlled anymore.

Iran is a country where life is always tough, apart from the rich people who were Ok under shah and are OK also under the mullahs. Sanctions will go nowhere in terms of making Iran give up its nuclear ambitions. Iran, no matter what, will make the nukes. Israel already knows this but still pushes the things for the sake of a last throw of dice, just in case Americans might decide to attak Iran or something like that. Iran having nuclear bombs will make ME a much tenser place but Israel will not bomb Palestinians less just because Iran has nukes. Israel knows that Iran cannot used these bombs, everybody knows this.

Israel has survived & prospered best when it listens to it's own voices & follows it's own path. As an American I'm sorry to say this, but I'm deeply embarrassed by the Obama administrations failure to realize whats at stake here should Iran hold a nuclear hammer over everyones head in the Middle East. The thought is beyond frightening. Quite frankly, the thought is unimaginable & I have nightmares even thinking about it. Be your Noble self & do what you have to do Israel. Americans get it, & they'll stand with you. Fortune Favors The Brave.

Don't worry! Iran won't nuke Israel for the same reasons US won't nuke Russia and India won't nuke Pakistan! You can't attack a nuclear power with nukes and expect to get away unpulverized. The nukes are there just as deterrent. Besides, Iran nuking Israel will destroy Islam's third holiest city, Jerusalem, something no Muslims want to do. Israel is upset not because Iran has nukes but because its sole monopoly on nuke possession in Middleast has been broken, and with that goes its ability to bully and threaten others unchecked.Iran will check Israel now, something not even the US can do, and eventually peace will come to Middleast for Muslims, Christians and Jews..

to balance Israel. Until there is no balance in power there will be no chance for peace. While Israel has the right to have undeclared nuclear weapons Iran doesn't have the right go with their peaceful nuclear program. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out the effect of this unbalance. US must be careful with the evidences about the Iranian "nuclear weapon program" since they miserably failed with Saddam's WMDs.

Talk of no credibility! Is there a country who has less than Israel?

I agree with the authors logic in coming to his conclusion. However, war is madness and in two World Wars logic took a hike! Once these weopons are loaded on a missle or aircraft sooner or later they will fly. Don't count on deterence forever.

Even a child realizes that Obam's call for sanctions is ineffective and laughable . Israel has to embark on an independent line,first and foremost agree with the Iranians sanctions are ineffective ,Obama has got it wrong, and then ask America and Europe now what, we Israel cannot afford a Pearl Harbour.

It's NOT so it can pop a couple off at Israel as soon as its got them! It's no secret that Iran wants to be recognized as a leading nation in the world community, and that it's trying to widen its sphere of influence and become a major player in the ME(especially vis-a-vis Israel). That, along with the deterrence it offers a country without advanced military capabilities, is what's driving Iran's nuclear weapons program- If it exists. THAT's why the United States, and the rest of the world except Israel, are not so willing to risk the possible regional conflict, and its potential for escalating into one involving international powers, for the relatively short term setback it would provide to their program, which would have virtually no effect on its final outcome. Question is: Why is Israel so anxious to attack Iran? The only direct threat to Israel from a nuclear armed Iran is the nuclear parity. Those who are pushing the idea that its purpose is to use them against Israel are either paranoid alarmists, or they have ulterior motives - and maybe both.

Parity in nuclear weapons in the Middle East is needed to counter Israel's aggressive behavior toward the Palestinians. It should be clear by this time, to any rational person, that the threat of credible force is the only thing that will get a reasonable response to the request to allow the Palestinians a viable state of their own. The masquerade of a civil democratic society that Israel hides behind, hardly conceals a repressive and exploitative state bent on keeping the Palestinians in a form of servitude through violence. Israel is the great danger to stability in the Middle East not Iran.

On the basis of what exactly do you reach your conclusions? Wishful thinking? It takes only ONE nuclear warhead to be launched by either Iran or its proxies (Syria, hamas or hizbollah) for Israel to disappear.Your contention is that the mullah regime in Iran is rational and that the current situation can be compared to the M.A.D. (Mutually Assured Destruction) situation during the Cold War.It doesn't matter to me (and the rest of Israelis) that Israel can retaliate, because by then it is too late.I cannot blame you for being naive, since you cannot help it.I'm much more worried about Obama's posture, since he keeps on experimenting with foreign policy at the expense of my country, Israel.I don't want to hear Obama say in a few years "Chucks, I was wrong. We should have bombed Iran's nuclear program. Too bad for Israel."I'd rather have Israel blow up Iran's nuclear program to smithereens and face international condemnation, than to be nuked by Iran.Fair enough, Arnold?

that no matter how much bluster Obama puts out, if he's had to water down the 'biting sanctions' to the point where they are barely even token ones (you do know that there are some pretty nice ski resorts in Iran) just to prevent Russia and China from vetoing them, by the time he waters them down enough to get 9 votes in favour from the UNSC members, even his supporters will have a hard time spinning them as anything but a sop to the US phobia.

He can kep smiling. Nothing will be done. president already sending officals to speak to Hamas

To Iran, we could... tear down the mosque on the Temple Mount. If Iran is going to force a conflict upon Israel, then we might as well tear down that mosque.

get used to notion of nuclear Iran? what about get used to the idea of Iran sending atomic bomb down on Israel? sometimes it sounds like they will just develop the weapons but let them sit there! I don't believe they won't use them, do you? only if the Lord stops them will they not use them--we can & will pray for that.

Iran is not going to drop a nuclear bomb on Israel and Israel is not going to drop a nuclear bomb on Iran. Posession = deterrence on both sides. Are Jordon,Egypt,Lebanon,or Syria, or the Palestinians willing to lose thousands upon thousands of their population just so that Israel can be attacked. Because the nuclear fallout is going to kill anyone close and all 5 Arab peoples are real close. Look at a map. Israel is a sliver of land. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are a pittance of what is being built today.

Ya, I think his analysis is correct, the US simply does not want to go to war with a country as large and populous as Iran, it wouldn't hit there shores of course but the economic and political cost to US is enormous, can you blame them? I doubt they really believe a nuclear Iran is a threat to them, to their interests yes, but not to US population directly.

The real bottom line here is that US policy seems to be constructed to deal with the fact that there is no sure fire method to prevent Iran from acquiring nukes short of attack, invasion and occupation. US policy also seems to accept that an Israeli airstrike is not guaranteed success. On the other hand, Israeli policy seems to be predicated on the belief that once acquired, Iran would use almost certainly launch its nukes against Israel. There is no common ground here...if an attack on Iran is the only answer...I think Israel will have to fly it solo and therefore won't need anyone's "permission".

I think Israel is begging the U.S. to keep holding them from attacking Iran. There is no way the Israel can attack Iran. Israel need an excuse not to do so. I don't think Israel needed the U.S. permission to go and attack Syria, or Lebanon, which happen to be weak countries unlike Iran.

"Since when does Israel have to beg the U.S". since israel takes Billions from American taxpayers!

"whose going to stop a Nuclear Israel? The way the radical right government "reacts", I`m more afraid of an Israel than an Iran with nukes".

Have read All the headlines from the (illegal) iranian regime, stating the annhilation of the Jewish/Hebrew nation Israel and the jewish people?

The good news is that having Obama on your side doesn't do you too much harm, on the other hand it sure isn't gonna do you any good.

If America cannot do it, then let Iran step up.

Josiah J. Ben David is correct in asserting Israel's sovereignty and its right to decide on the course which best serves its interests. It is also important to remember, however, that the U.S. will also protect its own interests. If Obama's recent reaction to Netanyahu and Israel's announcement of additional settlements is any guide, it is probably fair to say that an Israeli attack on Iran will probably have severe negative consequences on its relations with the U.S.

Why does "Dimona" present a threat to Iran? In fact, why does Israel present a threat to Iran? In fact, it does not. Please give us proof of any threats that Israel has made to Iran that predate Iran's threats to destroy Israel of to "wipe it off of the map." You know that you can't. You surely know that whatever Israel might have in "Dimona" is to serve as a deterrent to its neighbors who variously have tried (unsuccessfully) to destroy it since 1948 and who now are joined by Iran in threatening to do that. So, since that tack has failed, it's now time for American Citizen to resort to his simplistic and disingenuous complaint about his US tax dollars going to Israel.

for permission to go after Iran? Is Israel a lackey or vassal of the US that they must grovel to Obama to defend themselves? Israel's leaders need to grow some backbone !

Intelligent people ask themselves what's the motive, but this hypocritical analysis failed its readers. Hint: Dimona.

To be brutally honest, whose going to stop a Nuclear Israel? The way the radical right government "reacts", I'm more afraid of an Israel than an Iran with nukes.

In order for any sanctions to work against Iran all nations must abide by them to begin with. Try boycotting Iranian oil buy oil from the other Gulf states such as Kuwaitt or Saudi Arabia. No oil revenue coming into Iran would also help the opposition to over throw the regime there as well.