Draining the right side of the tub

Submitted by Michael S (United States), May 28, 2015 at 18:20

Hi, Roslyn. You said,

As sanctions are removed, Iran will be better able to buy nuclear arms and delivery systems without developing or building its own. What does the framework have to prevent this?

I think that's an astute observation!

The core problem, of course, is that Iran speaks of the US and Israel as the "Great Satan" and "Little Satan", respectively; and they seem determined to wage incessant war against both. On the face of it, the Iranians actually seem to have a better handle on reality than most countries, looking at the US manipulating Israel instead of the other way around. In their dealings, though, they seem to be a lot cozier with Great Satan Obama than with Little Satan Netanyahu.

Iran's religious and political leaders are scapegoating both Israel and the US for domestic appeal and personal gain. Iran is a country that is big on pretense and small on delivery, so they have to make up for the deficit by blaming others. Germany had the same problem, shortly before World War II. That analogy ought to give us all pause, and cause us to be serious about limiting Iran's power in any way possible.

The following article is pertinent:

North Korean nuclear, missile experts visit Iran-dissidents

It features a picture of Kim Jong Un inspecting the Army of the People's Democratic Republic of Korea's salmon canning operation. When Jong isn't checking the seals on jars of salmon, it seems, he's sending his nuclear experts to Iran to collaborate with the Ayatollah. Yes, Iran could use it's extra cash, gifted to it by the American President, to buy fuel, weapons and rockets from North Korea. They could also help the North Koreans develop and produce the same, by sending their experts there; so the two could -- and do, to some extent -- work as a team. Dropping sanctions on Iran, then, would have an effect similar to taking the water out of only one half of the tub: very quickly, it is replaced from the other half.

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