| |
Past Opinion Articles
Article for the week of 2/7/06
Has
Nuclear Proliferation Gone Too Far?
By, Grey Events
Iran’s refusal to bow to international pressure regarding its nuclear
program has prompted concern and outrage around the world.
Nations in opposition are concerned at the prospect of an anti-Israeli
Iran becoming nuclear capable, and outraged at being ignored. Meanwhile
supporters of the Iranian position are concerned at the prospect of another
Middle Eastern nation being invaded and outraged at what is perceived
as Western nations attempting to dictate terms to an independent state.
Iran remains defiant, alternately claiming its program is to explore options
in energy generation and still making almost blatant moves towards the
manufacture of weapons grade nuclear material.
International tension remains relatively low through a storm of rhetoric
from both sides. Though a theocratic dictatorship Iran is seen as a stable
nation, at least limiting the possibility of weapons falling into the
wrong hands as with the fall of the Soviet Union.
The United Nations continues to apply pressure impotently, succeeding
only in bringing breaks to the petty name-calling, a rare success for
the organisation.
Despite the failure of continuing diplomatic overtures, or perhaps because
no one has definitively ended these moves, diplomacy is seen as the key
to diffusing the situation, rather than committing military resources
of nations that are already over committed.
For the moment efforts focus on dealing with the intense Iranian anger.
Key to this may be moving them from the Kids Nuclear Table, despite the
lack of confirmed nuclear weapons for fifteen years.
Nevertheless Iran remains vocally indignant about being a potential nuclear
power and yet is still ranked behind Paris Hilton.
The vapid hotel heiress acquired a matching pair of thermonuclear devices
several years ago for undisclosed reasons and is reportedly considering
some sort of augmentation, which may refer to the weapons.
No one argues that Ms Hilton belongs at the table, preferably for as long
as she can be kept there, however Iran sees their presence at the table
as a deliberate slight.
All the same there is no sympathy from otherwise vocal allies, as they
too have been forced to sit next to Ms Hilton.
Israel has only just moved to the grown up’s table, though their support
was never counted on.
Even North Korea, vocal supporter of the Iranian desires outside the table
issue is withholding support, instead beaming smugly with diplomatic patience
in contrast to the initial single brief temper tantrum thrown at learning
Paris Hilton had been nuclear capable longer than they by a mere four
months.
It is possible that Western nations, hardly unsympathetic to prolonged
exposure to Paris Hilton, will use this as a key bargaining point, possibly
developing another nuclear table and explaining it’s for the non-blonde
kids, or something else that the insipid girl will believe.
|