OPINION & EDITORIAL
U.S. has no right to regulate nukes
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Also by Wasim Salman:
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by Wasim Salman
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
We’ve got troop surges in a severely broken Iraq, a failing war in Afghanistan, and now the threshold of military action is opening on the Iranian front. Iran has long been a focal point for America in the Middle East, from Operation Ajax in the 50's created by the CIA to overthrow the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, to the U.S. support of Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war that lasted from 1980 to 1988. The United States has consistently broken the rules when it comes to Iranian sovereignty. Despite this disturbing history between the two countries, it seems that America and Iran are butting heads again on the nuclear issue.
According to America, Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons and has therefore called for the U.N. to place limited sanctions on Iran. America may also boast that it has the backing of a majority of the Arab states on this issue and therefore can claim to be part of a coalition of countries in the Middle East instead of acting deceptively (as in the past) with a coalition of western countries. This, however, raises a great many questions, the most important being: Why isn't Iran (or any other country) allowed to create nuclear weapons?
During the Cold War, no country or coalition of countries could stop the nuclear arms build-up that occurred between the United States and the Soviet Union. Yet now that the U.S. is resting comfortably with no more than 7,000 deployed warheads and 3,000 in reserve and is resisting attempts by Russia to reduce their respective stockpiles to 1,500 through the SORT (Treaty on Strategic Offensive Reductions). Now America has decided that anyone they do not like should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. This is an outright violation of state sovereignty, nearly as blatant as "pre-emptive" warfare.
Iran has a right as a sovereign state to pursue both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Part of America's concern with Iran's nuclear project is that Israel views it as a threat to have a country that so blatantly denies their existence to be in possession of nuclear weapons. According to BBC news, " … [T]he lively public debate in Israel on the desirability or otherwise of a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear sites — perhaps even using tactical nuclear weapons." Even the consideration of attacking proposed nuclear sites with tactical nuclear weapons should be considered completely ludicrous and outrageous, but I suppose the consideration of an ally of the United States to use nuclear weapons against an enemy of the United States is completely justified.
The U.S. has also been touting that a majority of Arab states support sanctions and even the possibility of further action against Iran. However, what the current administration failed, and continues to fail to recognize is that every Arab state is a Sunni Muslim majority whereas Iran (although Persian) is a Shiite majority. So, essentially America does not even realize that by creating these alliances in the Middle East it is putting itself in the middle of a potential feud, a macrocosm of Iraq.
In the end, it is not right for one country to force others to only follow its rules — sovereignty exists for a reason. If Iran wants nuclear energy, it is allowed to have it. If Iran wants nuclear weapons, it is allowed to have them. As citizens of the United States, one of the most successful democracies in the world, we have to push ourselves to resist the fear mongering committed by the current administration and the media. Iran is a state, and as a state it will act in a rational manner to preserve itself. Let us not forget the foremost lesson of the Cold War: Perception is not reality.
Wasim Salman (salman@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in international relations.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 7:15am):
Wasim, the NRA says that arming everyone will decrease crime. Maybe the same principles work for nuclear weapons.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 7:52am):
"Let us not forget the foremost lesson of the Cold War"
MAD can work is the real lesson.
If I thought that "Mutual Assured Destruction" would deter the Iranian madmen I would be fine with a Cold War against Iran but what with the "Wipe Israel Out" and "12th Iman" craziness I'm not at all sure that destruction of the world is not their objective.
PS. Where was respect for sovereignty when Iran invaded the US embassy and kipnapped US citizens?
PPS. Crazy lunatics like those running Iran should not have nuclear weapons, it's just not a good idea.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 7:53am):
Iran supports terrorism with resources. Don't let nukes be one fo them. The Iranian President hosted an international conference denying the holocaust ever happened. He's a nut-job; why let a nut-job hold a gun to our collective heads?
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 7:55am):
"Why isn't Iran allowed to create nuclear weapons?"
A. Because Iran is controlled by terrorists.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 8:32am):
You're right. And if bin Laden wants chemical weapons, why shouldn't he have them? And let's give N. Korea some pointers on how to make their nukes better. While we're at it, go ahead and give every country that has ever threantened us the blue prints to all of our most deadly weapons, because, hey, it's a free world.
Listen, you filthy traitorous hippy, the US has the right to do whatever it wants because might makes right. If we don't like someone, then we should do whatever we can to stop them from getting stronger. You can live in your fantasy world where everything is sunshine and rainbows, where nobody hates anyone, and we solve all our problems by smoking pot and playing punk music. But in he real world, there are people who want to kill us and we need to do whatever it takes to stop them.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 8:43am):
Mr. Salman,
The bottom line is that unfortunately Iran cannot be trusted.
With tons of evidence suggesting that Iran suports terrorism and suicide bombers (just google Iran and funding terrorism and suicide bombers), Iran just cannot be trusted. Yes, you are probably right that Iran would act rationally and of course never use a nuclear weapon (this is what Chirac was saying last week) but this is not the issue. The real issue is that Iran cannot be trusted to keeps these weapons within her borders.
I wonder, if say you lived a little to the west of Iran, how you would feel about a nuclear Iran. Then again, with a nuclear Iran, I wonder if, as you are buying breakfast one morning, you would get to feel the reality of a nuclear blast.
Let's not take that chance...
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 8:46am):
If Adolf Hitler wants an army, why shouldn't he have one? Good lord, Wasim, how freakin' stupid are you? And you're an international relations major? God help us if you ever get a job at the White House.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 9:16am):
"The Iranian President hosted an international conference denying the holocaust ever happened." The conference was not about denying the Holocaust, but on why the holocaust is always used as an excuse for Israel to do what ever they want. Did you know that there was a group of Israeli jews there that also don't believe that that the state of Israel should exist? Heck Jimmy Carter a man that has worked many years for peace in the middle east was criticized for making comments about Israel's treatment of Palestinians. I know that the Holocaust happened and it was horrible, but crap like that has happened through out history and is even occurring now (Darfur). Horrors like these should not be used as an excuse to treat others the same way. Also the only reason the US always comes to Israel's defense is because our Christian leadership feel that it is better that OUR holy land be controlled by the Jewish people then Muslims, because they fear the Muslims would destroy our sacred sites.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 9:24am):
Yeah, let people who riot and burn and murder over some silly cartoons have nuclear weapons. Great plan - NOT!
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 10:14am):
We wouldn't want Iran to pre-emptively strike their perceived enemies for no good reason. Leave that to Uncle Sam: do as we say, not as we do.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 11:03am):
you guys are idiots, ur missing the whole point of wassim's article....state sovereignty retards, u need to calm down, and get the nukes out of ur butts...not out of iran...
thank you wassim
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 11:32am):
"Leave that to Uncle Sam: do as we say, not as we do."
You are SOOOOOOOO right! We should have just nuked Bagdad when Saddam was it town. That would have saved us a lot of money and US lives.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 11:58am):
"A. Because Iran is controlled by terrorists."
That didn't stop us.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 12:11pm):
Nuclear bombs are the biggest money-pit scam ever created. Tell me, oh scared little girls of the Right, which country will use a nuclear bomb and survive to celebrate? If Iran bombs Israel, how many minutes will elapse before Iran ceases to exist?
So, Iran, spend your oil cash on nuclear bombs and not jets, aircraft carriers, missle defense, and a standing military. That's fine by me.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 12:18pm):
"DAMN IT!"
- jack bauer
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 12:24pm):
"If Iran bombs Israel, how many minutes will elapse before Iran ceases to exist?"
I agree with this poster. But retaliation from Israel isn't the only thing Iran will have to worry about. Even if Iran obliterated Israel, yet another wrath would come down on Iran.
First, I'll point out that there is simply no way to attack Israel with nukes without wiping out Jerusalem. Israel is simply too small to hit with even the smallest nuclear bomb without destroying the entire country. Why did I mention Jerusalem, you ask? Jerusalem is home to the Dome of the Rock, one of Islam's three holiest shrines. Nuke that and you'd better be on another planet! The entire Islamic world will find you and kill you-and the country from where you launched the attack.
I hope the president of Iran is aware of this. If not, then SOMEBODY BETTER GET OFF THEIR DUFF AND WARN HIM REAL FRIGGIN' QUICK!!!
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 1:51pm):
He's not anti-war, he's just on the other side.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 2:08pm):
hey hater at 8:32, go read the bench behind abe on bascom hill. i'm pretty sure it says that "right makes might." or do you hate abe in addition to everyone who isn't exactly like you?
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 2:50pm):
"the US has the right to do whatever it wants because might makes right. "
We have some real geniouses on our hands. I feel sooo much safer knowing these people exist.
By the way, good article.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 3:54pm):
Wasim,
Lets give crack to a crackhead. Lets buy a drink for an alcoholic. And lets give nukes to a terrorist. Good idea.
Go live in Iran. We dont want you here.
Signed,
America
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 4:58pm):
might makes right.
For the future of this country's collective mind, let me just say that just because something rhymes, doesnt really make it so. If you dont believe me then I have this awesome story about a cat in a hat that will blow you away.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 5:00pm):
Thanks for the article Wasim.
The US has no right to wield it's power on the rest of the world without any real accountability. We continually push our agenda in the international community when it impacts our interests. Then when it impacts the rest of the world's interests we show no accountability. Let's think...kyoto protocol, basically any international efforts concerning the environment, human rights, etc. etc.
If the US wants to be a leader, then lead by example. Get rid of our nuclear and the rest of the world won't be forced to follow.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 5:42pm):
3:54, Iran is only a terrorist if you feel terrorized. The monster in your closet is also a terrorist (and imaginary), but no threat to anyone but your perpetually scared psyche.
The terrorists smell your fear, chump.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 7:35pm):
"kyoto protocol"
BIG red herring there, doesn't cover the big polluters in Asia and Europe already cheats.
Anonymous (March 4, 2007 @ 10:26am):
encourging you to clarify ways of innocent people.go ahead and serve the truth whereever you are
Anonymous (November 27, 2007 @ 2:51pm):
<i>"Iran is a state, and as a state it will act in a rational manner to preserve itself".</i>
and if they didnt act in a rational manner to preserve themselves? Wow, that would be considered suicide no?
Rational manner goes out the window when the word "suicide" is used as a military tactic in places where "suicide bombing" is a revered job description.
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