This weeks article suggests that at least one scientist, Shahram Amiri, who had been involved in Iran's nuclear development program has defected to the west. There may also be another, possibly scientist, who also defected though his identity and role are uncertain at this time. The information the individual(s) possessed is unclear though presumably any information ascertained would be deemed classified as not to alert Iran of what information the West has acquired.
The article mentions that these individuals were not the first to have defected from Iran. Ali Askari, the deputy Defense Minister and senior officer in the Revolutionary Guard defected in 2007. As the article suggests, the U.S. and western powers are engaged in a "Shadow war" with Iran which translates to a war for information (largely via espionage) about Iran's ambitions and capabilities as far as uranium enrichment is concerned.
Information collected by individuals who defect can have a resounding impact on global politics and stability. Iran has made clear that any violent attempts to stop their nuclear ambitions, be it from the U.S. or Israel, would result in fierce retaliation. The western powers are relying heavily on diplomacy though both sides do appear to support military action, likely as a last resort.
As the article points out: "Western governments consider Iran's bid to achieve nuclear weapons capability and its support for terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Al-Qaida, a threat to international peace and stability." Based on this premise alone, it is of dire necessity that Iran's intentions be monitored closely. Even should Iran enrich uranium, to have such a powerful substance available in the often chaotic middle east could lead to the substance changing hands in some manner. Given that Iran supports radical anti-western groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Al-Qaida it seems a worthy cause to be suspicious of Iran and to not allow them access to such a powerful substance. One could speculate that Global stability would rapidly decline at the mere presence of enriched uranium in the middle east.
The article appears to be relatively free of bias. It speculates that Iran is embarrassed of its people defecting, though this would seems to be a just assumption not based on a skewed or biased perspective. The information the article provides is mainly based on what appear to be facts. Most of the information is not subjective or opinionated so it seems safe to say the source is reliable.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Israel Prime Minister Challenges UN to Confront Iran
The article I have chosen depicts a great deal of concern pertaining to Iran and Israeli relations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel claimed that "Iran poses a threat to the peace of the world and that it is incumbent on the world body to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons."Ironically, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, "Accused Isreal of "inhuman policies" in the Palestinian territories and of dominating world political and economic affairs." He also, "issued stinging attacks on the United States and its allies without calling them by name." In a final blow he[Ahmandinejad] denounced the Holocaust claiming it was"lies."
The source of these articles, The Haaretz, seems to be favoring the Israeli Prime Minister due to the fact that mentions un-related articles about Ahmadinejad and his recent controversial democratic win in the Iranian election that many are sceptical was tampered with. This calls into question Ahmadinejad's right to rule; no such equal comparison is issued regarding the Israeli Prime Minister's legitimacy. Regardless and despite The Haaretz assumed bias, Ahmadinejad does a pretty decent job slandering himself. His denunciation of the existence of the holocaust (according to Prime Minister Netanyahu, this is Ahmadinejad's third time denouncing the holocaust) is very damaging to his credibility as well as his psych. There is overwhelming evidence that the Holocaust did happen largely due to the disappearance of millions of Jews who were killed by the Nazi regime. The Jews fortunate enough to survive are still brandishing tattoos given to them by the Nazi's as a form of identification.
It is important to note that in the article Ahmadinejad claims his nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes yet he verbally condemns the western powers and its allies, which includes Israel. An element of irony surfaces by virtue that most nations seek nuclear weapons as a means to free themselves from being under the thumb of other nations yet the nations who have nuclear armaments do not want any other nations to arise as nuclear powers; countries who have nuclear weapons are taken more "seriously" so to speak, as opposed to those who don't. Ahmadinejad does seem to have suspicious motives as well as a displaced outlook on history, the Holocaust in particular. For his country to obtain U238 depleted uranium and other components necessary for making a nuclear bomb does not appear to be in the interest of global stability, especially after his denunciation of Israel and its western allies. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states in the article, "Perhaps some of you think [Ahmadinejad] and his obious regime only threaten the Jews," Netanyahu continued. "Well, if you think that you are wrong, dead wrong."
On a final note, Netanyahu praised many of those who walked out during Ahmadinejad's speech at the UN meeting in New York. "History could be reversed if primitive fanaticism acquires deadly weapons," the premier told the UN. "The jury is still out on the United Nations, and the signs aren't encouraging." Netanyahu claims the UN is not doing enough to emphasize the extreme conditions that could be brought about from a nuclear powered Iran. It may be to soon to speculate whether Iran is hoping to use nuclear power plants as a stepping stone for obtaining a functional nuclear bomb, but according to Netanyahu, there doesn't seem to be any doubt.
The source of these articles, The Haaretz, seems to be favoring the Israeli Prime Minister due to the fact that mentions un-related articles about Ahmadinejad and his recent controversial democratic win in the Iranian election that many are sceptical was tampered with. This calls into question Ahmadinejad's right to rule; no such equal comparison is issued regarding the Israeli Prime Minister's legitimacy. Regardless and despite The Haaretz assumed bias, Ahmadinejad does a pretty decent job slandering himself. His denunciation of the existence of the holocaust (according to Prime Minister Netanyahu, this is Ahmadinejad's third time denouncing the holocaust) is very damaging to his credibility as well as his psych. There is overwhelming evidence that the Holocaust did happen largely due to the disappearance of millions of Jews who were killed by the Nazi regime. The Jews fortunate enough to survive are still brandishing tattoos given to them by the Nazi's as a form of identification.
It is important to note that in the article Ahmadinejad claims his nuclear ambitions are for peaceful purposes yet he verbally condemns the western powers and its allies, which includes Israel. An element of irony surfaces by virtue that most nations seek nuclear weapons as a means to free themselves from being under the thumb of other nations yet the nations who have nuclear armaments do not want any other nations to arise as nuclear powers; countries who have nuclear weapons are taken more "seriously" so to speak, as opposed to those who don't. Ahmadinejad does seem to have suspicious motives as well as a displaced outlook on history, the Holocaust in particular. For his country to obtain U238 depleted uranium and other components necessary for making a nuclear bomb does not appear to be in the interest of global stability, especially after his denunciation of Israel and its western allies. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states in the article, "Perhaps some of you think [Ahmadinejad] and his obious regime only threaten the Jews," Netanyahu continued. "Well, if you think that you are wrong, dead wrong."
On a final note, Netanyahu praised many of those who walked out during Ahmadinejad's speech at the UN meeting in New York. "History could be reversed if primitive fanaticism acquires deadly weapons," the premier told the UN. "The jury is still out on the United Nations, and the signs aren't encouraging." Netanyahu claims the UN is not doing enough to emphasize the extreme conditions that could be brought about from a nuclear powered Iran. It may be to soon to speculate whether Iran is hoping to use nuclear power plants as a stepping stone for obtaining a functional nuclear bomb, but according to Netanyahu, there doesn't seem to be any doubt.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Israel Attacked by Lebanese Rockets
The article I found pertains to a recent attack on Israel by Lebanese militants that Lebanon claims are radicals not affiliated with the Lebanon armed forces. The rockets did not produce any casualties or injuries though an electric tower was believed to be damaged as a result of the attack. Israeli forces responded to the attacks with an artillery barrage which also was believed to end in no loss of life. Both exchanges seemed to have raised alarm within the countries and investigations are underway by UN officials to pinpoint who was responsible in instigating the initial unprovoked attack.
These attacks come at a discerning time when UN peace keeping forces have been dispatched to keep both Israel and Lebanon from directly combating each other. The attacks have seemingly raised tensions though both sides do appear to be compliant overall with peace keeping efforts.
It seems apparent that Lebanon, while condemning the attacks, shows little interest in finding the perpetrators responsible. Perhaps it can be implied by information in the article ("Lebanese security sources, who reported at least two outgoing missiles and 15 incoming Israeli shells, did not say who might have fired the rockets. Shalev also wrote to the UN that Lebanon's government is not doing enough to prevent the presence of armed groups and weapons south of the Litani River, as outlined in UN Resolution 1701.") that while the Lebanon government appears compliant with maintaining a cease fire with Israel, they are not particularly enthusiastic to find the culprits who are attacking their long time enemy, Israel, from within Lebanese borders. It may even be safe to speculate that the Lebanon’s government condones inadvertent attacks such as this that occur against Israel. In this instance, the Lebanese government can easily claim it wasn't responsible for the attacks and shift the blame to radical militants who are not affiliated with the government yet share some of its traditional dislike of Israel. On the contrary, the Lebanese government can be credited with attempting to prevent terrorist groups like Hezbolah from attacking Israel by dispatching Lebanese armed forces to hunt down those who possess such ambitions, though Israel claims Lebonon is not doing enough which is evident by the fact that the attacks continue to occur.
It seems apparent that one main reason there is so much tension in the middle east is because of cat and mouse games as well as blame games which are always occurring between the countries surrounding Israel. A radical group in a country will attack Israel, in this case by rocket strike, and the government that harbors the assailants will fail to pursue those responsible, deny any involvment or responsibility, but will condemn Israel for retaliating or invading the country in order to stop the assailants themselves. Until joint cooperation from the countries who harbor the assailants and those being victimized occurs, it seems these arbitrary acts of violence are bound to repeat.
Article Link:
Israel Condemns Lebanese Rocket Attacks
Additional Link related to previous rocket attacks on Israel:
Four Rockets Hit Negev
These attacks come at a discerning time when UN peace keeping forces have been dispatched to keep both Israel and Lebanon from directly combating each other. The attacks have seemingly raised tensions though both sides do appear to be compliant overall with peace keeping efforts.
It seems apparent that Lebanon, while condemning the attacks, shows little interest in finding the perpetrators responsible. Perhaps it can be implied by information in the article ("Lebanese security sources, who reported at least two outgoing missiles and 15 incoming Israeli shells, did not say who might have fired the rockets. Shalev also wrote to the UN that Lebanon's government is not doing enough to prevent the presence of armed groups and weapons south of the Litani River, as outlined in UN Resolution 1701.") that while the Lebanon government appears compliant with maintaining a cease fire with Israel, they are not particularly enthusiastic to find the culprits who are attacking their long time enemy, Israel, from within Lebanese borders. It may even be safe to speculate that the Lebanon’s government condones inadvertent attacks such as this that occur against Israel. In this instance, the Lebanese government can easily claim it wasn't responsible for the attacks and shift the blame to radical militants who are not affiliated with the government yet share some of its traditional dislike of Israel. On the contrary, the Lebanese government can be credited with attempting to prevent terrorist groups like Hezbolah from attacking Israel by dispatching Lebanese armed forces to hunt down those who possess such ambitions, though Israel claims Lebonon is not doing enough which is evident by the fact that the attacks continue to occur.
It seems apparent that one main reason there is so much tension in the middle east is because of cat and mouse games as well as blame games which are always occurring between the countries surrounding Israel. A radical group in a country will attack Israel, in this case by rocket strike, and the government that harbors the assailants will fail to pursue those responsible, deny any involvment or responsibility, but will condemn Israel for retaliating or invading the country in order to stop the assailants themselves. Until joint cooperation from the countries who harbor the assailants and those being victimized occurs, it seems these arbitrary acts of violence are bound to repeat.
Article Link:
Israel Condemns Lebanese Rocket Attacks
Additional Link related to previous rocket attacks on Israel:
Four Rockets Hit Negev
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