Quote:
Originally Posted by Kansas Bear
Not that I believe I can discuss this geo-political 'stuff' with you "heavy weights"...but, wouldn't Iran NOT want Europe to think they're 'nuts'? Keep Europe 'divided' so to speak on their perception of Iran's government?  |
I am of a mind with Parihaka concerning heavyweight, except I am kind of thin around the waist. But you get the idea.
Anyway, I'd say jump in. As to your question, it doesn't seem to me that Iran is intentionally projecting an image of being nuts. On the contrary, they are trying pretty hard to make a reasonable case to justify their nuclear ambitions, which, remember, they publicly argue are not to make nukes, but to be self-sufficient in supplying fuel rods to the nuclear power plant which Russia is building for them (work suspended for now).
In his soothing way, A-Jad calmly argues that Iran is a sovereign country and has a right to make it's own nuke fuel and that it doesn't want to rely on, say, Russian for fuel because it would then be open to blackmail should Russia stop shipping them fuel. He explains away the need for an oil-rich country to have nuclear power by saying that they will not always have so much oil.
It is on the surface a perfectly reasonable, non-nutty argument. Where the nuttiness comes in is that Iran is proceding with its amibitions despite a solid wall of overt opposition from the US and its allies. It has been warned repeatedly to stop its nuclear program; the foregone conclusion by experts both military and diplomatic is that Iran will be attacked at some point if it continues.
It hasn't yet, because the big players in the world including the US want to convince their publics that they are pursuing every peaceful means to force Iran's cooperation. This is the purpose of economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts by world leaders, such as Putin.
Some believe Iran is in a race; they believe it is using the period of non-military efforts to hurry completion of its program, although I don't see how that buys them security from attack. It's more likely that Iran hopes to convince the world that it's program is peaceful and be allowed to go ahead.
But Iran is convincing no one. One reason is because it's governmental structure is too reliant on religious leaders. Another, more telling reason,
is because it has been a major spoiler in the ME through its support for Hezbolla and Shia dissidents in Iraq.
So, convincing Europe they are nutty is a lose-lose situation for them.
And then there is Isael... cheers and jump in...