NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/December/middleeast_December229.xml&section=middleeast&col=

RIYADH - Fearing Shia Iran is on the verge of becoming a nuclear power, Sunni Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states are warning they will not hesitate to join a rumbling regional arms race, analysts say.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which groups Arab countries in the world’s top oil and gas exporting region, said at a summit meeting on Sunday that it has decided to set up a nuclear energy programme for peaceful purposes.

The announcement by the six countries — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman — came amid concerns in the West and in the Gulf that non-Arab Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme could produce an atomic bomb.

And with the level of Sunni-Shia paranoia...

well, maybe the US should immediately pull its forces out of the Middle East, so we don't get blamed for what happens next.

good to see the middle east has woken up to the fact that the oil won't last forever:)

hmmm so instead of oil wars we get...nuclear wars :p

good to see the middle east has woken up to the fact that the oil won't last forever:)

hmmm so instead of oil wars we get...nuclear wars :p

it's always been a problem - I mean a dream of other nations...

First we got the bomb and that was good,
'Cause we love peace and motherhood.
Then Russia got the bomb, but that's O.K.,
'Cause the balance of power's maintained that way!
Who's next?

France got the bomb, but don't you grieve,
'Cause they're on our side (I believe).
China got the bomb, but have no fears;
They can't wipe us out for at least five years!*
Who's next?

Then Indonesia claimed that they
Were gonna get one any day.
South Africa wants two, that's right:
One for the black and one for the white!**
Who's next?

Egypt's gonna get one, too,
Just to use on you know who.
So Israel's getting tense,
Wants one in self defense.
"The Lord's our shepherd," says the psalm,
But just in case, we better get a bomb!
Who's next?

Luxembourg is next to go
And, who knows, maybe Monaco.
We'll try to stay serene and calm
When Alabama gets the bomb!
Who's next, who's next, who's next?
Who's next?

well, maybe the US should immediately pull its forces out of the Middle East

I agree.

Maybe the US should immediately pull its forces out of the Middle East, so we don't get blamed for what happens next.

Won't do any good, the USA will still get blamed, and not entirely unreasonably.

As for nuclear war, there is little chance that much more will happen when the region is armed with nuclear weapons than when it is not. Chances are the nukes won't see any use even if they are there. They may even be the catalyst for an uneasy peace (but probably not).

And with the level of Sunni-Shia paranoia...

well, maybe the US should immediately pull its forces out of the Middle East, so we don't get blamed for what happens next.

I've been saying for a while that we should just let them duke it out...saves us the trouble.

it's always been a problem - I mean a dream of other nations...

:p

Won't do any good, the USA will still get blamed, and not entirely unreasonably.

As for nuclear war, there is little chance that much more will happen when the region is armed with nuclear weapons than when it is not. Chances are the nukes won't see any use even if they are there. They may even be the catalyst for an uneasy peace (but probably not).

I think not. I think that paranoia and stupidity are constants in the universe.

When you attend a funeral,
It is sad to think that sooner or'l
Later those you love will do the same for you.
And you may have thought it tragic,
Not to mention other adjec-
Tives, to think of all the weeping they will do.
(But don't you worry.)

No more ashes, no more sackcloth,
And an arm band made of black cloth
Will some day nevermore adorn a sleeve.
For if the bomb that drops on you
Gets your friends and neighbors too,
There'll be nobody left behind to grieve.

And we will all go together when we go.
What a comforting fact that is to know.
Universal bereavement,
An inspiring achievement,
Yes, we will all go together when we go.

We will all go together when we go.
All suffused with an incandescent glow.
No one will have the endurance
To collect on his insurance,
Lloyd's of London will be loaded when they go.

Oh we will all fry together when we fry.
We'll be French fried potatoes by and by.
There will be no more misery
When the world is our rotisserie,
Yes, we will all fry together when we fry.

Down by the old maelstrom,
There'll be a storm before the calm.

And we will all bake together when we bake.
There'll be nobody present at the wake.
With complete participation
In that grand incineration,
Nearly three billion hunks of well-done steak.

Oh we will all char together when we char.
And let there be no moaning of the bar.
Just sing out a Te Deum
When you see that I.C.B.M.,*
And the party will be come-as-you-are.

Oh, we will all burn together when we burn.
There'll be no need to stand and wait your turn.
When it's time for the fallout
And Saint Peter calls us all out,
We'll just drop our agendas and adjourn.

You will all go directly to your respective Valhallas.
Go directly, do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollahs.

And we will all go together when we go.
Every Hottentot and every Eskimo.
When the air becomes uranious,
We will all go simultaneous.
Yes, we all will go together
When we all go together,
Yes we all will go together when we go.

What are the chances of us being able to sell them bombs that we can detonate by remote control? Slim to none? Ok, just checking.

I think that paranoia and stupidity are constants in the universe.

And so is fear of death.

And so is fear of death.

In a region where you can talk people into clearing a minefield by strolling across it or getting back at their enemies by strapping on an exploding belt, it might not be.

What are the chances of us being able to sell them bombs that we can detonate by remote control? Slim to none? Ok, just checking.

We don't have to do anything except get out of the way.

I think it's pretty obvious that there is a serious, serious Sunni/Shia split over Iraq and Lebanon. Once they start fighting in earnest after the US leaves Iraq, it will only be a matter of time before they start flinging them.

The Saudis certainly have the money to make it happen. Iran is already well down the path. Pakistan (Sunnis) has a working bomb already.

In a region where you can talk people into clearing a minefield by strolling across it or getting back at their enemies by strapping on an exploding belt, it might not be.

You can talk some people into doing something stupid anywhere. But those with their fingers on the proverbial buttons are unlikely to be the fools as opposed to those doing the persuading.

You can talk some people into doing something stupid anywhere. But those with their fingers on the proverbial buttons are unlikely to be the fools as opposed to those doing the persuading.

I don't think the odds look very good...

Sounds like the Saudis ought ally with Israel against Iran.

Like moths to a flame
Is man never gonna change
Time's seen untold aggression
And infliction of pain
If that's the only thing that's stopping war

Then thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb

Nuke ya nuke ya

War is just another game
Tailor made for the insane
But make a threat of their annihilation
And nobody wants to play
If that's the only thing that keeps the peace

Then thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb

Nuke ya nuke ya

Today was tomorrow yesterday
It's funny how the time can slip away
The face of the doomsday clock
Has launched a thousand wars
As we near the final hour
Time is the only foe we have

When war is obsolete
I'll thank God for the war's defeat
But any talk about hell freezing over
Is all said with tongue in cheek
Until the day the war drums beat no more

I'll thank god for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb
Thank God for the bomb

Nuke ya nuke ya

You can talk some people into doing something stupid anywhere. But those with their fingers on the proverbial buttons are unlikely to be the fools as opposed to those doing the persuading.

Considering how those governments live in constant fear that some other group, Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, might destabillze their regime, isn't it possible that some koran-thumping, 72 virgin lusting, bearded, smelly barbarian will end up infiltrating the military or stealing a warhead and blowing some shit up?

Sounds like the Saudis ought ally with Israel against Iran.

You never know.

What I'm thinking is, if all the Gulf States have some, and Iran has some, and Pakistan has some, and Israel has some, if one goes off somewhere, an uncontrollable chain reaction of attacks will take place.

As for nuclear war, there is little chance that much more will happen when the region is armed with nuclear weapons than when it is not. Chances are the nukes won't see any use even if they are there. They may even be the catalyst for an uneasy peace (but probably not).

Religious people shouldn't be put in charge of atomic weapons. They are just a little bit to keen on the 'end-times'.

I don't think the odds look very good...

Why do you say that?

Do you have so little faith in ruling bodies of the region, who stand to lose the most of all those on their side in the event of a nuclear war.

Religious people shouldn't be put in charge of atomic weapons. They are just a little bit to keen on the 'end-times'.

Okay, fair enough. I agree. But Bush gets them. And if he gets 'em so should the other fanatics.

Isn't it possible that some koran-thumping, 72 virgin lusting, bearded, smelly barbarian will end up infiltrating the military or stealing a warhead and blowing some shit up?

If thats your fear go and campaign for the increased security of Russia's nuclear deterant.

Why do you say that?

Do you have so little faith in ruling bodies of the region, who stand to lose the most of all those on their side in the event of a nuclear war.

Religious extremism

It's far more likely to incite violence than political extremism.

Okay, fair enough. I agree. But Bush gets them. And if he gets 'em so should the other fanatics.



If thats your fear go and campaign for the increased security of Russia's nuclear deterant.

Meh, I'm not concerned enough to actually do anything about it.

Okay, fair enough. I agree. But Bush gets them. And if he gets 'em so should the other fanatics.


no. i vote we just hide the codes from bush instead.

no. i vote we just hide the codes from bush instead.

Naw, I wouldn't feel right about upsetting the poor guy. Trying to think about were he left the codes could cause his mind to collapse in on itself.

Meh, I'm not concerned enough to actually do anything about it.

Then why bother mentioning the point in the first place if it causes you so little concern.

Religious extremism

It's far more likely to incite violence than political extremism.

The politicians would be the ones with the bombs.

The politicians would be the ones with the bombs.

Oh, like the ruling imams in Iran?

Then why bother mentioning the point in the first place if it causes you so little concern.

Well, because I'm sure it's somebody's job to worry about this nuclear proliferation crap and I don't think they're doing their job. Or at least they're not doing it well.

Oh, like the ruling imams in Iran?

I'd be willing to gamble on the most senior of the nation being unwilling to risk everything, if they were that conifdent that they were getting into paradise the would have personally bombed something before now.

Well, because I'm sure it's somebody's job to worry about this nuclear proliferation crap and I don't think they're doing their job. Or at least they're not doing it well.

When has anyone apart from those most benefited by the treaty at the time cared in the least. Doing your job isn't easy when you have half the world ignoring it and the other half actively working against it.

Okay, fair enough. I agree. But Bush gets them. And if he gets 'em so should the other fanatics.



Thats just fucking retarded.

There is no "fair enough". Just because we have them,doesnt mean anyone else should have them.

We should have more powerful and more accuarte than anyone and no one else should ever get or develop their first.

I would treat anyone trying to get their first very harshly and encourage any that already had them to give them up.
In terms they found irresistable. Offers that couldnt be refused.

I'd be willing to gamble on the most senior of the nation being unwilling to risk everything, if they were that conifdent that they were getting into paradise the would have personally bombed something before now.

I disagree.

In 1992, Robert McNamara met with Fidel Castro and they discussed the Cuban Missile Crisis. For the first time, Secretary McNamara learned the truth about the actual count of missiles the USSR stockpiled on the Cuban island. Stunned, he called a halt to the conference and talked with president Castro on the side.

He asked Castro three questions: 1. Did you know that the missiles were on the island? 2. If so, then would you have recommended to Kruschev to use the missiles against the United States if any action was taken? 3. What would be the outcome for Cuba if the missiles were used?

Castro answered McNamara's questions in a straightforward manner. First, Castro knew about the missiles, Second, he would not HAVE recommended to Kruschev, he DID recommend to the Prime Minister to use the weapons before the US could react, and Third, all of Cuba would have been destroyed.

The moral of the vignette is as follows: Rational beings, Castro included, do not always make rational decisions. In a land where theocracies support radical ideologies, the chances of rational decision making grows dim when nuclear weapons become involved.

Despite all the jabs and finger pointing at President Bush, there is only one leader in today's world that can actually claim to have ordered the use of nuclear weapons in hostility: President Truman. And, he ordered the launch long before the world began to understand the impact of nuclear politics. Only time will tell in unstable regions where nuclear weaponry begins to proliferate.