to Gabriel - WMD's

Submitted by Sidda (United States), Feb 17, 2006 at 13:29

Gabriel, thanks for the response. There is a great difference between WMD's in the hands of the Soviets and those in the hands of Iran. The difference is this: during the cold war between the Soviets and the U.S./West, there was a doctine of "mutually assured destruction." That meant that there was an understanding between the Soviet government and the U.S. government that if one country were to launch a nuclear attack, it would be reciprocated, thus "mutually assured destruction." For two cultures who were basically rational and did not share a desire for "martyrdom" this was a very effective deterent.

However, this is not the case with the Islamic religious fanatics who WISH for death and martyrdom in the name of Islam. It is difficult to deter someone from death when they consider death for their religion something to welcome.

You still did not offer any practical solutions on how to deter a fanatical religious regime who believes in the doctrine of the "12th Imam" from obtaining nuclear weapons. I respect your opinion and you make a good point, but it is easy to say "I am against war." Nobody is "for war" but sometimes it is the last resort and better than the alternative.

So, what are our other options? Sanctions against the regime? Sanctions usually hurt the people and not the regime. A blockade? How about strikes against their nuclear facilities if that is possible (they are hidden in underground bunkers). I don't know; I'm just saying that things are very complicated and we don't seem to have a lot of options and we are running out of time. I

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