Iran (the country) has as much right to build nukes as any other country on Earth. I'd prefer none of us had the right. The leader of Iran is not the country just as (thankfully) George Bush is not the United States.

Of course we should be concerned if they build nukes but with the realization that countries that come to possess nuclear weapons tend to grow up a bit afterwards. With the possession comes a huge target painted on you that was only there in a far off sense before. Obviously, if they go down the path, our intelligence efforts in their country need to be increased. I'm concerned Pakistan and India have a number of nuclear weapons. Under the vibe you're putting out here, should we start thinking about blowing them out of the water before they come for us?

I think Iran would be deluded to think (after it's common knowledge they had nukes) that they wouldn't be the primary suspect should a bomb go off in Israel and that the rage would very likely create a response before a full investigation could be confirmed. I'd be willing to bet Israel is on a hair trigger. Their tiny country means they can't absorb a lot of blows.

I think that part of US policy should be clearly stated to any nuclear power that offensive use of those weapons would be constituted as a war against mankind and be responded to in the most dire method. I would hope we would take enough time to clearly know the target but I doubt that would be the case. I think our national macho would kick in fully and we'd go quickly after the most likely target.

Scott, I don't want any of these scenarios to occur but I'm not sure that a nuclear Iran will bring them about. I simply don't think there's an alternative answer but to let things develop naturally. It's possible the Iranian people could be even more nervous about their president's bluster than you are and it might be the key for an internal struggle to take place there. All I know is that there are no guarantees if you take preemptive action. You might make things better for the short time but actually cause the things you fear down the pike.

Have to ask you though, why does one country with the possibility of creating one or two nukes, concern you more than the combined huge arsenals of long term traditional foes like China and the Soviets? Yeah, they're playing nice right now but both are a heartbeat away from chaos with their violent histories. The world is a dangerous place and fixating on small wacko segments of it will only make you more wacko yourself. Your neighbors are probably well-armed as well in this gun-crazed nation. My guess is that they're personally more of a threat to you than any Mideastern despot. Sweet dreams.

Art

Art