Awol Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 20 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: It always raises a smile to see Israel commending efforts to prevent the appearance of nuclear weapons in the middle east. That's Israel, with the 6th largest nuclear arsenal on the planet. Unconfirmed reports they’ve hit targets in Syria within the last hour, also a partial call-up / mobilisation of some specialised trades - intelligence and airforce personnel. Next few days could be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 8, 2018 Iran have stated they're immediately beginning the production of the enriched uranium thingy stuff. What could possibly go wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awol Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 2 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: Iran have stated they're immediately beginning the production of the enriched uranium thingy stuff. What could possibly go wrong? That is interesting, supposedly they have very few centrifuges left. If they do have warehouses full of the things that would prove that they have, in fact, been cheating on the deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 8, 2018 Quote Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said: "The US has announced that it doesn't respect its commitments. "I have ordered the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to be ready to start the enrichment of uranium at industrial levels." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44045957 Doesn't sound a particularly diplomatic approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 8, 2018 Russia has said that this puts the Korean peace process in doubt. I'm not quite sure how Korea relates to Israel, or Russia for that matter - but it's another of those statements that suggests Donald is making the world a less safe place by the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted May 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 8, 2018 4 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: Russia has said that this puts the Korean peace process in doubt. I'm not quite sure how Korea relates to Israel, or Russia for that matter - but it's another of those statements that suggests Donald is making the world a less safe place by the moment. Would you trust a country that backs out of its deals at the whim of the moron in chief? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 8, 2018 So we're now faced with three options, either Iran gets nuclear weapons or we have a war, or both? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted May 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 8, 2018 Just now, OutByEaster? said: So we're now faced with three options, either Iran gets nuclear weapons or we have a war, or both? I can think of a fourth but someone needs to step up and take one for the team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 1 minute ago, bickster said: I can think of a fourth but someone needs to step up and take one for the team One of us assassinate Trump on his UK visit? I was just going to moon at him, but I'll listen to what you have to say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted May 8, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 8, 2018 1 minute ago, Xann said: One of us assassinate Trump on his UK visit? I was just going to moon at him, but I'll listen to what you have to say? WEll I was thinking of an inside job personally but .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villakram Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 The Chinese/Indians need Iranian oil. American leverage may not be what it appears. They believe that the new found shale riches mean they can stir things up in OPEC land, but shale ain't all it's talked up to be. This is so dumb but consistent with their recent history. Total control of things via the dollar and they are doing their best to encourage the rest of the world to figure out how to trade around it. Meanwhile the war-crimes continue in the occupied territories, Syria and Yemen. USA/Israel/Saudi vs ?? Wonder what the name for this coalition will be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villakram Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 40 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44045957 Doesn't sound a particularly diplomatic approach. "Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said: "The US has announced that it doesn't respect its commitments. "I have ordered the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran to be ready to start the enrichment of uranium at industrial levels." He said he would "wait a few weeks" to speak to allies and the other signatories to the nuclear deal first. "If we achieve the deal's goals in cooperation with other members of the deal, it will remain in place," he said." Full context. It's pretty diplomatic given the position this puts the Iranian dealmakers in back home. They have to play politics too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 So assuming this maybe Trump dancing to Netanyahu's tune, what's the ultimate aim for Israel - isolate Iran, goad them into developing their nuclear programme and make it more likely that their hardline elements will come to the fore, then use this as justification to kick it all off against them with US support? I assume Saudi Arabia would be quite happy with Iran out the picture as well. Or is that all a bit tin-foil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awol Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 25 minutes ago, andym said: Or is that all a bit tin-foil? No, sadly. Israel figures they will have to fight Iran eventually either directly or when they are attacked by Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon. I think they’re trying to make sure it happens at a time of their choosing, and now Assad is consolidating in Syria and Iran is building permanent bases there the Israeli position gets relatively less secure every day. The Israelis unsurprisingly want the US with them to guarantee superior combat power, but Russia being camped in Syria is a big issue. It could all go horribly wrong really fast, but hopefully it won’t! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il_serpente Posted May 8, 2018 VT Supporter Share Posted May 8, 2018 (edited) So assuming this maybe Trump dancing to Netanyahu's tune, what's the ultimate aim for Israel - isolate Iran, goad them into developing their nuclear programme and make it more likely that their hardline elements will come to the fore, then use this as justification to kick it all off against them with US support? I assume Saudi Arabia would be quite happy with Iran out the picture as well. Or is that all a bit tin-foil? I think Netanyahu's aim is to have Iran start ramping up their program enough to create a pretext for an Israeli strike to take out their nuclear capabilities and then some or, even better, convince Trump to have the US do their bidding. Edited May 8, 2018 by il_serpente Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 9, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 9, 2018 I'm confused on Iran as to how the remaining nations in the deal expect to be able to continue it while the US is operating sanctions. I can't see Lloyds of London saying "Okay, Theresa, we'll keep doing business with Iran even if it means missing out on business with the US". Not that I can see the government of the UK suddenly turning on the Saudi's and Israeli's anyway - there's been no indication of us so much as whispering a bad word in the direction of the Saudi's in recent times; and our going against the wishes of the US in any global matter would be almost unique and economically suicidal. Ultimately, the UK, Germany and France are utterly impotent in this regard - diplomatically we won't go against three nations with massive investments in our infrastructure and the corporate and banking structures that control our economy aren't going to place their profit at risk for a nation like Iran. I'm baffled as to how we think this deal can be saved, it's impossible surely? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awol Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 @OutByEaster? We’ll see. Some redneck Senator was on the radio earlier & replied to this question along the lines of ‘our allies will stand with us’, seemingly unaware of the distinction between alliance and compulsion. The secondary aspect of sanctions will kick Europe squarely in the sack, so it might get quite nasty once Airbus et al mobilize their lobbyists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted May 9, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 9, 2018 9 minutes ago, Awol said: @OutByEaster? The secondary aspect of sanctions will kick Europe squarely in the sack, so it might get quite nasty once Airbus et al mobilize their lobbyists. Although I guess from the point of view of the people that run Trump, a finger in the eye for Airbus and the like is a thoroughly agreeable side effect to his actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Awol Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 35 minutes ago, OutByEaster? said: Although I guess from the point of view of the people that run Trump, a finger in the eye for Airbus and the like is a thoroughly agreeable side effect to his actions. Boeing has also just lost a YUGE contract for 737’s to Iranian civil airlines (MAGA). They are basically flying antiques at this point. Can’t do linky at the moment but a google of ‘Crisis Group Iran’ will give you an excellent summary piece of just how dumb this move is. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NurembergVillan Posted May 9, 2018 Moderator Share Posted May 9, 2018 10 hours ago, villakram said: USA/Israel/Saudi vs ?? Wonder what the name for this coalition will be USIS Although I'm guessing you were implying that, I'm still pretty happy I spotted it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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