Welcome to USrael ?

[Lancecastor]

Is a USA that bombs first and asks questions later, that spies on its own citizens...a larger version of Israel?

Is the middle eastern tail wagging the big dog in its approach to foreign policy and domestic relations in the 21st Century?

Discuss.

 

[Lancecastor]

Here's an interesting piece from the aljazeera website:

The US will be in a mess, a year from now if invading Iraq, says Sandra Mackey

By Hassan A. El-Najjar

10/30/02

Sandra Mackey, a freelance journalist and author of several books about the Middle East, spoke at Dalton State College yesterday about Iraq, the subject of her latest book, "The Reckoning." She presented facts about how the modern Iraqi state was created by the British in 1921. She also analyzed the demographic structure of Iraq, mainly talking about the three major population groups: the Sunni Kurds and Arabs in the north and the center and the Shi'a Arabs in the south. She pointed out that the Iraqi Shi'a fought against Iranian Shi'a during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, which means that their Arab nationalist affiliation was stronger than their religious affiliation.

Indeed, an attack on Iraq may relieve the Israeli government from the world pressure that opposes its brutal occupation of Palestine. It may provide a cover for Sharon to execute his final solution to the conflict, that is evicting Palestinians to Jordan. More important is that a regime change in Iraq (after the destruction of that country) will remove a formidable enemy of Israel, which will enable Israel to maintain its regional superpower status as the only state that has weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. But most important of all is that Israel has all kinds of weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological, and nuclear, and the means to deliver them. However, nobody dares to raise the question about the possibility of disarming the most aggressive nation on earth, Israel, which brings us to square one: who dares to speak about Israel's influence on the US government. This influence has so far pit the US against Arabs and Muslims for the sole benefit of Israel. This is really what is missing in the public discourse among the elites and journalists.

http://www.aljazeerah.info/Editorials

 

[Alvin Brickrock]

Iran
Iran has developed several lines of artillery rockets, ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and—although a member of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)—a robust chemical weapons capability. It is also believed to be working to acquire nuclear weapons technology and biological warfare capabilities.

Itself a victim of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) aggression and missile attacks, Iran seeks to deter its opponents as well as to gain more regional power in the Persian Gulf and Caspian regions through the acquisition and development of WMD.

While it is generally believed that Iran's chemical weapons, artillery rockets and short-range missiles can likely be produced indigenously, Iran faces great difficulties in advancing its long-range missile and nuclear programs without assistance from countries such as Russia, North Korea and China.

Iraq
Current capabilities are uncertain, due to Iraq's efforts since 1991 to retain and conceal prohibited nuclear, biological, chemical (NBC), and missile assets, and due to its expulsion of UNSCOM inspectors in 1998. During the 1970s and 1980s, Iraq systematically violated its commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in order to create a vast nuclear weapons program that included multiple projects to produce fissile material. While the International Atomic Energy Agency's Iraq Action Team verified dismantlement of Iraq's known nuclear weapon-related assets during the 1990s, Iraq may have retained or subsequently developed other capabilities applicable to nuclear weapons production. Given its past efforts, large and highly qualified pool of technical personnel, and its likely retention of weapons designs, components, and software, if Iraq acquired or produced weapons-grade fissile material, it could probably fabricate a nuclear weapon within a matter of months.

Iraq made extensive use of chemical weapons (CW) during the 1980s, both against Iranian troops and Kurdish civilians in Iraq. Iraq probably retained a stockpile of CW munitions in the form of aerial bombs, rockets, and artillery shells, as well as precursor chemicals and agents, including mustard gas, VX, and other nerve agents. Iraq may have built new agent and munition production facilities since 1998. All of these activities would violate Iraq's commitments under UN Security Council resolution 687, by which it is prohibited from possessing NBC weapons and related materials, equipment, and delivery vehicles. Iraq is not a signatory of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Iraq prevented UNSCOM from verifying its claims to have unilaterally destroyed its biological weapon (BW) arsenal, which included 157 R-400 aerial bombs and Al Husayn missile warheads. Iraq may also retain BW sprayers for Mirage F-1. It has the expertise and equipment to resume production of such BW agents as anthrax, botulinum toxin and aflatoxin.

Iraq launched hundreds of ballistic missiles against urban as well as military targets during the 1980s and early 1990s, in its war against Iran, and later against Israel and coalition forces during the Gulf War. Iraq may retain a limited number of SCUD-B or al-Hussein ballistic missiles and/or related components. It certainly possesses ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges under 150km, including the Ababil-50, Al Samoud, Silkworm, Exocet, and Styx.

Libya
Libya possesses a small arsenal of SCUD-B and SCUD-C ballistic missiles. While SCUD-B missiles pose only a regional tactical threat, SCUD-C missiles could reach targets in Sicily and southern Greece. Libya has met with little success in its efforts to establish a domestic missile program, although a medium-range ballistic missile appears to be in development. In 1987, Libya launched two SCUD-B missiles at a U.S. Navy base on the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Libya is not a signatory of the CWC and retains an inventory of nerve and blister agents. In 1987, Libya used small quantities of mustard gas munitions against Chadian troops. Because of its reliance on foreign suppliers for precursor chemicals, Libya's chemical weapons (CW) program was severely hampered by UN sanctions in the 1990s. However, since those sanctions ended in 1999, Libya has reestablished contact with foreign suppliers of precursor chemicals, equipment, and expertise.

Beginning in the 1970s, Libya sought without success to purchase or develop nuclear weapons. Limited prospects for success may have led it to give up on this ambition.

Pakistan
Following India's example, Pakistan conducted five nuclear tests on May 28, 1998, and declared itself a nuclear weapon state. Pakistan initiated its nuclear weapons program in the early 1970s, after its defeat in the 1971 Bangladesh war. By the mid-1980s, Pakistan had smuggled an entire uranium enrichment facility from Western Europe and acquired the capability to explode nuclear weapons. In April 1998, Pakistan commissioned the Khushab research reactor for production of weapons-grade plutonium. Pakistan's stockpile of highly enriched uranium is estimated to be between 585-800 kilograms (kg), sufficient for approximately 30-52 fission bombs. The Khushab facility is believed to produce 10-15kg of weapons-grade plutonium annually, sufficient for fabrication of two to three nuclear devices.

It is unclear whether Pakistan has an operational nuclear force. It probably stores nuclear cores separately from weapon assemblies and not mated with delivery systems. Pakistan's nuclear assets are reportedly under centralized military control.

In the early 1990s, Pakistan acquired from China some 34 complete M-11 ballistic missiles. China has also built a turnkey facility for manufacturing solid-fuel ballistic missiles at Tarnawa, and Chinese entities are actively involved in assisting Pakistan's development of the longer-range Shaheen-I and Shaheen-II ballistic missiles. Pakistan's Ghauri liquid-fuel ballistic missile is believed to be a copy or variant of the North Korean No-dong.

Pakistan has signed and ratified the CWC and is also a signatory to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.

Sudan
Sudan is afflicted by one of the world's longest and deadliest civil wars. The Sudanese government allegedly has sought to acquire and use CW against opposition rebels and populations. In the 1990s, Sudanese officials may also have sought CW in collaboration with Usama Bin Laden's international network, al-Queda, and through technical assistance provided by Iraq.

Sudan does not have a nuclear energy or weapons program, although unconfirmed reports in the late 1980s and early 1990s alleged that it served as a transshipment point for nuclear smuggling. At present, the Sudanese government reportedly does not possess any ballistic missiles, but in 2000 there were unconfirmed reports that Iraq had financed the construction of missile production facility in Sudan using technologies from North Korea. Sudan does deploy short-range anti-ship cruise missiles as well as artillery and rocket launchers, which could deliver CW payloads, if Sudan can produce or acquire such munitions.

In August 1998, the United States launched a cruise missile attack that destroyed a pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum, which U.S. officials believed was engaged in production of CW agents. Subsequent investigations indicated that this facility probably did not play a role in any CW development program that Sudan may be conducting. In 1999, Sudan acceded to the CWC.

 

[Lancecastor]

Re: Here's an interesting piece from the aljazeera website:

Israel has all kinds of weapons of mass destruction, chemical, biological, and nuclear, and the means to deliver them. However, nobody dares to raise the question about the possibility of disarming the most aggressive nation on earth, Israel, which brings us to square one: who dares to speak about Israel's influence on the US government.

I've noticed this in US media, commentary and indeed at Lit...discussing the legitimacy and methods used by Israel or its role in shaping US policy gets you an immediate invitation to the ShunningZone.

 

[Lancecastor]

Iran


Iraq


Libya

Pakistan


Sudan

How do the alleged arsenals of these countries relate to the discussion at hand...Israel's influence on US policy?

 

[Alvin Brickrock]

Re: Here's an interesting piece from the aljazeera website:

More important is that a regime change in Iraq (after the destruction of that country) will remove a formidable enemy of Israel, which will enable Israel to maintain its regional superpower status as the only state that has weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East.

It was in response to this comment.

 

[zipman]

Is a USA that bombs first and asks questions later, that spies on its own citizens...a larger version of Israel?

No

Is the middle eastern tail wagging the big dog in its approach to foreign policy and domestic relations in the 21st Century?

No

 

[Lancecastor]

Re: Re: Here's an interesting piece from the aljazeera website:

It was in response to this comment.

Ahhh...okay.

From what I've read, Israel is armed to the teeth compared to the counties you named...but I'm not interested in doing one of thos "his arsenal is bigger!" deals.

Your point is sound; in fact Iraq is less capable than Syria or Iran, yes?

 

[Paganj]

It is true that U.S. policy regarding Isreal is heavily influenced by the large amount of Jewish americans in the U.S.. But there's not neccessarily anything wrong with that. Just as the U.S. is heavily influenced by the large numbers of Anglo-Saxons to ally with Britain. It is just another part of politics. On top of that Isreal is a staunch ally of the U.S.. Perhaps the only real ally we have in the Middle East. So we are predisposed to overlook certain indiscretions commited by them.

Yes, they have WMD's. But so do there enemies. We don't demand everyone give them up. Just countries that have shown a tendency to use them, i.e. Iraq. Besides Isreal is a very small country surrounded by enemies who would love nothing more than to wipe it from the face of the earth. And have tried more than once since its founding. It is very possible that the next time Isreal loses a war it will cease to exist. If I were in Isreal's place I would be a little aggresive also.

 

[Guest]

Them Dutch, I don't like the look of them or their liberal attitude toward sex, drugs and alcohole.

 

[Alvin Brickrock]

Re: Re: Re: Here's an interesting piece from the aljazeera website:

Ahhh...okay.

From what I've read, Israel is armed to the teeth compared to the counties you named...but I'm not interested in doing one of thos "his arsenal is bigger!" deals.

Your point is sound; in fact Iraq is less capable than Syria or Iran, yes?

Perhaps. I really don't know for certain.

 

[Lancecastor]

Them Dutch, I don't like the look of them or their liberal attitude toward sex, drugs and alcohole.

Courts in Canada are now "staying" (adjourning indefinitely) cases of simple pot possession on the understanding that Parliament is about to decriminalize pot.

We like the Dutch and they like us....we have entire tv networks devoted to Dutch boys sticking their fingers in dykes.

 

[Guest]

Courts in Canada are now "staying" (adjourning indefinitely) cases of simple pot possession on the understanding that Parliament is about to decriminalize pot.

We like the Dutch and they like us....we have entire tv networks devoted to Dutch boys sticking their fingers in dykes.

The current trend in US-Canada immigration direction might shift...

 

[Guest]

 

[Sandia]

Hey

I get this message when I try to view your link:

You are not authorized to view this page
You might not have permission to view this directory or page using the credentials you supplied.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you believe you should be able to view this directory or page, please try to contact the Web site by using any e-mail address or phone number that may be listed on the www.aljazeerah.info home page.

You can click Search to look for information on the Internet.




HTTP Error 403 - Forbidden
Internet Explorer

Al Jazeera preventing American users from logging on because of the hack attack, you think?

 

[Sandia]

Never mind

I found their home page. It looks like they're live again.

 

[Lancecastor]

Lance, you were funnier a few weeks ago.

I think I need some new material...war's hard to get yuks out of...