Politics As Usual
I've always wanted to incorporate more politics into my blog, but havent yet. Well here the 5 page paper term paper about Iran I wrote in 1 night and go an A on. Yay...enjoy
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It is indisputable that nuclear weapons grant their possessors a tremendous amount of power. Since their creation, nuclear weapons have started as well as ended two of the largest wars in world history. Nuclear weapons also have to ability to destroy countless lives if used. For the short time that the United States had a monopoly on the nuclear weapons of the world, they held most of the power in the world. That is until they came into direct competition with the Soviet Union. This power struggle, as well as suspicions led to a tense stand off known as the Cold War, which lasted for over four decades. Just over sixty years since the first nuclear weapon was successfully detonated in the expanses of the New Mexico desert by the United States, just nine nations have joined this exclusive club, and there is one more prospective member.
Iran has a long history with the west, especially since the second half of the twentieth century. From the overthrow of the Shah, to the Iranian hostage crisis, the Islamic Republic of Iran once again finds themselves having to deal with western nations. This time it is a matter much more serious. With the recent invasion of Iraq, and unsuccessful search of weapons of mass destruction, the world’s eyes have turned to it is neighbor Iran, as they are being accused of activating their nuclear program to produce an atomic weapon.
In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush labeled Iran, as well as North Korea and Iraq as part of the Axis of Evil. Now that U.S. foreign policy has failed in Iraq, and North Korea has obtained a nuclear weapon, attention has been focused on Iran, before the United States encounters another embarrassment and political failure. After an unsuccessful war in Iraq, the United States must flex their foreign policy muscle regarding this issue in order to salvage its power within the region, save its interests in the region, and restore credibility within the world.
Prior to the war in Iraq, the United States had enormous military and political capital. After an unfortunate miscalculation regarding Iraq, this capital has severely diminished. In 2003, the United States sidestepped the United Nations regarding the Iraq issue, went ahead with the plans of the neo-conservatives, and invaded Iraq without a strong international coalition or U.N. backing. Now that the mistakes of the past have been revealed, and the United States is facing the issue of disarming a Middle East nation, they are taking no chances of repeating failures of the past, and are cooperating with the United Nations as well as multilateral talks.
The United Nations Security Council has recently unanimously voted to suspend the nuclear program of Iran and has given the Islamic Republic thirty days to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Since the demands made by the U.N. are nonbinding, it is unlikely that the Iranian government will comply with the demands of the United Nations, and will stand by their claims that their research and development of nuclear materials will be used solely for civilian purposes.
Many suspect and have no doubt that Iran is in fact trying to develop a nuclear weapon, since the Islamic Republic has tried to do so in the past and has virtually no need for electricity generated from a nuclear reactor. The nation of Iran has vast oil reserves, which can help generate electricity as well as economic stability for the country. The only other nation in the Middle East which possesses a nuclear weapon is Israel (although not officially). This monopoly on nuclear weapons in the Middle East allows for Israel to intimidate the other nations in the region, allow for greater security against their Arab neighbors and broaden its interests. Should the Tehran obtain a nuclear weapon, the balance of power in the Middle East would dramatically shift.
However, in order for Iran to reach that point, it must face a multitude of diplomatic hurdles. As the international community ratchets up its pressure on Tehran, they must find someway to buy time. Doing so would enable the nation to develop nuclear weapons before western nations have time to effectively stop the nuclear program. After creating the nuclear weapon, it is highly unlikely that any sort of military action could take place in order to disarm Iran.
In recent weeks, this process to buy time has become more evident. Shortly after the bombing of a sacred mosque in Iraq, and the nation almost plunged into civil war, Tehran sent part of its elite Revolutionary Guards into Iraq. The purpose of this is unclear, however, the Guards have probably been sent to Iraq to stir up trouble among the population, and try to incite sectarian violence. Since the United States has expended much of its military capital fighting in Iraq, and has relatively little to spare, and sort of disruption to the already delicate stability in Iraq would give the United States military more than it can already handle. Iran would fear nothing more than a military intervention by the United States to try to topple the Ayatollah and his Islamic regime. By trying to cause this distraction, Iran can help secure their domestic interests without the fear of an outside intervention.
The United States and Israel are regarded by the Arab nations as the superior military force in the region. It is this very power which Iran fears the most. In the past, Israel has taken out a nuclear reactor in Iraq by performing air raids, and there is no reason why they would not do so again in the future. The United States 5th fleet, which is stationed in the Persian Gulf, is part of the most powerful navy in the world. In the past few days during their joint military exercises and war games, Iran has announced that they have developed a missile capable of evading radar, as well as an underwater missile (torpedo) which is cannot be detected by sonar, and is faster that any other torpedo previously developed. The Iranian military has explicitly stated that no modern airplane or warship can outrun the said weapons. This statement is a direct threat to the Israeli and U.S. military superiority in the region. Iran has produced no evidence that they actually do posses these weapons other than a video tape of their test. Because Iran has relatively little military power, it is probably safe to assume that the Islamic Republic is bluffing in claiming that they are in possession of these stealth weapons. Since there is no current defense against these invisible weapons, Iran is trying to give the illusion greater power in the region. If Iran can successfully keep foreign armies out of the borders, they will have much more time to develop their nuclear capabilities, and effectively keep out foreign influence for good.
The military alliance between the United States and Israel benefits the United States more than it does Israel. The military support which Israel gives the United States in the Middle East allows for the U.S. secure oil interests in the area. Should Israel lose its nuclear monopoly in the region, and have its power stripped away, the United States will lose much of their interests in the region.
The Bush administration has recently been trying to hurry up the formation of a stable sovereign Iraqi government capable of independently and effectively ruling their nation. The sooner the Iraqis come together and do this, the quicker the United States can withdraw their troops, reestablish their power in the region, and possibly prepare for military intervention should the need arise. The reason North Korea was able to develop a nuclear weapon with out much interference with the west was because they effectively planned to finish developing their nuclear weapon while the United States military was tied up with affairs in Iraq. Now that Iraq is beginning to enter a transition phase from an anarchist state to a credible government, the United States will begin to regain some of its power lost during the war, and begin to pursue greater interests.
It is in the best interests of the United States not to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon because it will shift power in the area. It is highly unlikely that should Iran successfully create a nuclear device that they would ever use it against another nation. It is simply for a deterrent. Iran recognizes that all of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are nuclear nations, and greatly outnumber in the number of nuclear warheads available. The United States is seeking to secure interests in the area, not so much for security, and must do so without being tied up with affairs in Iraq. It is this need to be militarily mobile without being hindered, which will drive policy in Iraq. Until the United States can free its military from having to deal with Iraq, Iran will be able to enjoy little interference from the outside, and will do whatever they can to prolong this sense of security so that once a nuclear device is developed, their own security and power will exist indefinitely.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is indisputable that nuclear weapons grant their possessors a tremendous amount of power. Since their creation, nuclear weapons have started as well as ended two of the largest wars in world history. Nuclear weapons also have to ability to destroy countless lives if used. For the short time that the United States had a monopoly on the nuclear weapons of the world, they held most of the power in the world. That is until they came into direct competition with the Soviet Union. This power struggle, as well as suspicions led to a tense stand off known as the Cold War, which lasted for over four decades. Just over sixty years since the first nuclear weapon was successfully detonated in the expanses of the New Mexico desert by the United States, just nine nations have joined this exclusive club, and there is one more prospective member.
Iran has a long history with the west, especially since the second half of the twentieth century. From the overthrow of the Shah, to the Iranian hostage crisis, the Islamic Republic of Iran once again finds themselves having to deal with western nations. This time it is a matter much more serious. With the recent invasion of Iraq, and unsuccessful search of weapons of mass destruction, the world’s eyes have turned to it is neighbor Iran, as they are being accused of activating their nuclear program to produce an atomic weapon.
In his 2002 State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush labeled Iran, as well as North Korea and Iraq as part of the Axis of Evil. Now that U.S. foreign policy has failed in Iraq, and North Korea has obtained a nuclear weapon, attention has been focused on Iran, before the United States encounters another embarrassment and political failure. After an unsuccessful war in Iraq, the United States must flex their foreign policy muscle regarding this issue in order to salvage its power within the region, save its interests in the region, and restore credibility within the world.
Prior to the war in Iraq, the United States had enormous military and political capital. After an unfortunate miscalculation regarding Iraq, this capital has severely diminished. In 2003, the United States sidestepped the United Nations regarding the Iraq issue, went ahead with the plans of the neo-conservatives, and invaded Iraq without a strong international coalition or U.N. backing. Now that the mistakes of the past have been revealed, and the United States is facing the issue of disarming a Middle East nation, they are taking no chances of repeating failures of the past, and are cooperating with the United Nations as well as multilateral talks.
The United Nations Security Council has recently unanimously voted to suspend the nuclear program of Iran and has given the Islamic Republic thirty days to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Since the demands made by the U.N. are nonbinding, it is unlikely that the Iranian government will comply with the demands of the United Nations, and will stand by their claims that their research and development of nuclear materials will be used solely for civilian purposes.
Many suspect and have no doubt that Iran is in fact trying to develop a nuclear weapon, since the Islamic Republic has tried to do so in the past and has virtually no need for electricity generated from a nuclear reactor. The nation of Iran has vast oil reserves, which can help generate electricity as well as economic stability for the country. The only other nation in the Middle East which possesses a nuclear weapon is Israel (although not officially). This monopoly on nuclear weapons in the Middle East allows for Israel to intimidate the other nations in the region, allow for greater security against their Arab neighbors and broaden its interests. Should the Tehran obtain a nuclear weapon, the balance of power in the Middle East would dramatically shift.
However, in order for Iran to reach that point, it must face a multitude of diplomatic hurdles. As the international community ratchets up its pressure on Tehran, they must find someway to buy time. Doing so would enable the nation to develop nuclear weapons before western nations have time to effectively stop the nuclear program. After creating the nuclear weapon, it is highly unlikely that any sort of military action could take place in order to disarm Iran.
In recent weeks, this process to buy time has become more evident. Shortly after the bombing of a sacred mosque in Iraq, and the nation almost plunged into civil war, Tehran sent part of its elite Revolutionary Guards into Iraq. The purpose of this is unclear, however, the Guards have probably been sent to Iraq to stir up trouble among the population, and try to incite sectarian violence. Since the United States has expended much of its military capital fighting in Iraq, and has relatively little to spare, and sort of disruption to the already delicate stability in Iraq would give the United States military more than it can already handle. Iran would fear nothing more than a military intervention by the United States to try to topple the Ayatollah and his Islamic regime. By trying to cause this distraction, Iran can help secure their domestic interests without the fear of an outside intervention.
The United States and Israel are regarded by the Arab nations as the superior military force in the region. It is this very power which Iran fears the most. In the past, Israel has taken out a nuclear reactor in Iraq by performing air raids, and there is no reason why they would not do so again in the future. The United States 5th fleet, which is stationed in the Persian Gulf, is part of the most powerful navy in the world. In the past few days during their joint military exercises and war games, Iran has announced that they have developed a missile capable of evading radar, as well as an underwater missile (torpedo) which is cannot be detected by sonar, and is faster that any other torpedo previously developed. The Iranian military has explicitly stated that no modern airplane or warship can outrun the said weapons. This statement is a direct threat to the Israeli and U.S. military superiority in the region. Iran has produced no evidence that they actually do posses these weapons other than a video tape of their test. Because Iran has relatively little military power, it is probably safe to assume that the Islamic Republic is bluffing in claiming that they are in possession of these stealth weapons. Since there is no current defense against these invisible weapons, Iran is trying to give the illusion greater power in the region. If Iran can successfully keep foreign armies out of the borders, they will have much more time to develop their nuclear capabilities, and effectively keep out foreign influence for good.
The military alliance between the United States and Israel benefits the United States more than it does Israel. The military support which Israel gives the United States in the Middle East allows for the U.S. secure oil interests in the area. Should Israel lose its nuclear monopoly in the region, and have its power stripped away, the United States will lose much of their interests in the region.
The Bush administration has recently been trying to hurry up the formation of a stable sovereign Iraqi government capable of independently and effectively ruling their nation. The sooner the Iraqis come together and do this, the quicker the United States can withdraw their troops, reestablish their power in the region, and possibly prepare for military intervention should the need arise. The reason North Korea was able to develop a nuclear weapon with out much interference with the west was because they effectively planned to finish developing their nuclear weapon while the United States military was tied up with affairs in Iraq. Now that Iraq is beginning to enter a transition phase from an anarchist state to a credible government, the United States will begin to regain some of its power lost during the war, and begin to pursue greater interests.
It is in the best interests of the United States not to allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon because it will shift power in the area. It is highly unlikely that should Iran successfully create a nuclear device that they would ever use it against another nation. It is simply for a deterrent. Iran recognizes that all of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are nuclear nations, and greatly outnumber in the number of nuclear warheads available. The United States is seeking to secure interests in the area, not so much for security, and must do so without being tied up with affairs in Iraq. It is this need to be militarily mobile without being hindered, which will drive policy in Iraq. Until the United States can free its military from having to deal with Iraq, Iran will be able to enjoy little interference from the outside, and will do whatever they can to prolong this sense of security so that once a nuclear device is developed, their own security and power will exist indefinitely.