Prospect Of Iran Nukes Frightens Saudi Royals “To Their Core”
WASHINGTON — A U.S. report projects a concerted effort by Saudi Arabia to match Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
The report, submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took note of a U.S. assessment that Teheran’s nuclear program frightens the Saudi royal family “to their core.”
“The future Middle East landscape may include a number of nuclear armed or nuclear weapons-capable states vying for influence in a notoriously unstable region,” the report, released in early April 2008, said.
The report, ordered by ranking Republican Sen. Richard Lugar, was authored by staff member Bradley Bowman, Middle East Newsline reported. The assessment on Saudi nuclear plans was based on discussions with senior U.S. diplomats in Riyad.
Saudi Arabia would be followed by other Middle East states bent on producing or acquiring nuclear weapons, the report said. The report, based on interviewing hundreds of analysts, diplomats in Washington and the Middle East in the last half of 2007, cited Turkey.
In contrast, Egypt would not develop a nuclear weapons program, the report said. Bowman said such a program would encounter strong opposition from Israel and the United States.
The report warned Congress that U.S. credibility in the region was being eroded amid Iran’s nuclear program. Bowman said the United States must take steps to restore its credibility with Turkey and Arab allies by 2010.
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We know the arabs understand strength or force over words. We have shown our strength and determination in Iraq. We need to take Iran out if we are to maintain credibility in that region. We need to do this, not Israel. It is our fist they need to feel; we have scores of troops killed in Iraq with iranian assistance and technology, a hole in NY, scars on the Pentagon, a trench in PA, patchwork steel on the Cole, destroyed embassies, soldiers being defiled in somolia, the ghosts of WTC ‘93, the memory of 241 troops in Beirut.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:43 amThe first political bumper sticker I remember seeing about anything other than a candidate was on the bumper of a ‘63 Chevy II back in 1980. It had a picture of Mickey Mouse giving the finger and it said “Fuck Iran”.
As true now as it was then.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:31 am“The report warned Congress that U.S. credibility in the region was being eroded amid Iran’s nuclear program. Bowman said the United States must take steps to restore its credibility with Turkey and Arab allies by 2010.”
How so? We’ve already shown our resolve aginst AQ. Ratcheting up the rhetoric against the Iraniac apostates has already begun. The next POTUS will probly be the one to deal a death-blow to the Iraniacs.
No doubt, a strike against Iran has already been discussed among the followers of the prophet( sulphur be upon him) in Saudi.
The only way we could lose credibility is if we abandon Iraq and do nothing about Iran. The minute we attack Iran, the Sunni leaderships in Islamistan will secretly cheer…while publicly condemning it.
We can also easily add the Gulf States to our nuclear umbrella.
What sissy wrote that shit? Sounds like another hand-wringing-oh-woe-is-me political POS from State.
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 amOur credibility would be through the roof if it wasnt for this shameful ‘cut and run’ crowd in our country. the rest of us have been resolved when it comes to victory in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran is next and their is no way out of this pig shooting contest. they have too much American blood on their hands.
Its funny that we give a rats ass about the Saudis. they pretend to be our friends while screwing us on oil prices and supporting jihadists.
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 amMaybe I am being overly optimistic, but with all of the troop movements by Isreal, Syria, Lebanon and with the major push by the Iranians in Iraq this whole region is reaching a point of change by way of conflict. In the report by Gates it was pointed out the we have sent another carrier task group (with ground assault troops)to the middle east. President Bush is a man of conviction. He proved it with the “surge”. He knows the threat Iran poses and will not leave it to a successor knowing full well it could be Hillary or Huessein. This is also last of 9 months of his presidency and I don’t beleive he is concerned about his legacy or what people think, but will do what is right. I beleive that the administration is talking about deplomacy, but is keeping the “big stick” ready to keep the Irainians gussing. Like I said, maybe I am to optimistic. What do you all think.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 amYou have to be optimistic, if not why continue on with anything?
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:44 amI think it is lurking, 9 months is not enough time to complete a major mission, but it is enough to start in motion events that cannot be easily stopped. We truly do not want to resort to another military campaign into iran, but words are proving useless with that government, they have thumbed their nose at the world’s urging to give up the nuclear program and they have stated that they are going to eliminate Israel. So be it.
I doubt President Bush is polling on this.
Steve in NC:
I think 9 months is enough time to complete strategic strikes in Iran on the nuke sites/refinery,and on the Quds Force bases. I also think Isreal could then take on Syria/Huzbulla which has a mutual protection agreement with Iran. Putting Petraus in charge of the entire middle east command is a good start. This alone should put Iran on notice.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:24 amI agree, but there will be residual effects that the next administration will have to deal with. If we are then in active battle with iran it may not be a bad thing because the next president could not just run away. I hope.
I do not believe we have a diplomatic settlement with iran available, unless there is an internal revolution that throws out the entire governing body. Not likely, they are rounding them up there.
We take out iran while isreal takes out syria & co at the same time would be perfect. It needs to be done.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 am