When we study Iran's pursuit to get nuclear weapons, and high-tech military hardware, we see there is a lot more at play.
What is the Russian role in Iranian's rogue nation-state rhetoric? What is going on with Nuclear Weapons and the UN Sanctions? What does all this mean for the US and our allies? Let's talk.
It appears that Russia is playing a much greater role in the standoff and sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear weapons manufacturing and processing of uranium for that purpose.
In fact, both China and Russia agreed to the UN resolutions and most all of the conditions or perceived conditions of such sanctions.
Russia has been involved in the assistance of Iran's nuclear power station, and offered to be the enricher of uranium to alleviate the Iranians from suspicion of building nuclear weapons.
Unfortunately, it is now clear that Iran's uranium enrichment is a dual track, nuclear weapons and energy too.
Not long ago, I was discussing this with Jesse Giraldo, a post cold war US-Russian relations scholar right after Russia stated; "Iran is the biggest threat to Russia right now.
" Giraldo made an interesting comment; "...
I think it's important to note that the key to this diplomatic tactic is the subtlety in Russians resistance to increased economic sanctions.
They have already stated that Iran is a large threat to their Nation so they've already "picked a team" in a sense.
" Yes, good point, and that was rather interesting wasn't it.
What do you make of that comment? Iran a threat to Russia - why? Why would they for one minute believe that? Jesse stated; "They don't believe that.
It's a rouse.
They just needed common ground with America and the E.
U.
The U.
S knows this but as long as Russia plays along in the U.
N they could care less whether they truly believe that or not.
As long as that's the Official statement America can continue to engage Russia for assistance in its efforts against Iran.
" Indeed, I agree, and it was good for a headline or two in the world media and Jesse Giraldo goes on to state; So if Russia becomes too vocal in the U.
N about their opposition to toughening up on Iran relations with the states and the European Union could sour.
And that is something the Russians want to avoid, so far I'm going to have to give this match of political maneuvering to Russia.
They played their hand correctly.
Yes, and they are still holding some face cards.
Speaking of which did you see the picture in the NYTs of Melvedev and Obama having a toast and staring each other down? That was telling, not the event as much as how the media portrayed it, as if the US and Russia are still cold-war adversaries? Jesse answers this question by stating; "U.
S and Russia never stopped being cold war adversaries.
The mere fact that NATO is still in existence in the year 2010 is testament to this claim.
" Giraldo adds; The U.
S can't afford to lose a key ally like Russia in its efforts against Iran so the end result is that Russia maintains a viable economic partner while at the same time avoided isolating themselves from the West or the E.
U.
The worst they got was Robert Gates calling them schizophrenic.
I think they can live with that.
" Good point.
Russia has done quite well in weakening NATO over the last good many years, and their ability to turn-off the natural gas to European nations is quite an interesting way to play things.
Now then, here is yet another tough question; Do you think NATO will still be in existence in 2015? Ah, we will save that for another topic.
What is the Russian role in Iranian's rogue nation-state rhetoric? What is going on with Nuclear Weapons and the UN Sanctions? What does all this mean for the US and our allies? Let's talk.
It appears that Russia is playing a much greater role in the standoff and sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear weapons manufacturing and processing of uranium for that purpose.
In fact, both China and Russia agreed to the UN resolutions and most all of the conditions or perceived conditions of such sanctions.
Russia has been involved in the assistance of Iran's nuclear power station, and offered to be the enricher of uranium to alleviate the Iranians from suspicion of building nuclear weapons.
Unfortunately, it is now clear that Iran's uranium enrichment is a dual track, nuclear weapons and energy too.
Not long ago, I was discussing this with Jesse Giraldo, a post cold war US-Russian relations scholar right after Russia stated; "Iran is the biggest threat to Russia right now.
" Giraldo made an interesting comment; "...
I think it's important to note that the key to this diplomatic tactic is the subtlety in Russians resistance to increased economic sanctions.
They have already stated that Iran is a large threat to their Nation so they've already "picked a team" in a sense.
" Yes, good point, and that was rather interesting wasn't it.
What do you make of that comment? Iran a threat to Russia - why? Why would they for one minute believe that? Jesse stated; "They don't believe that.
It's a rouse.
They just needed common ground with America and the E.
U.
The U.
S knows this but as long as Russia plays along in the U.
N they could care less whether they truly believe that or not.
As long as that's the Official statement America can continue to engage Russia for assistance in its efforts against Iran.
" Indeed, I agree, and it was good for a headline or two in the world media and Jesse Giraldo goes on to state; So if Russia becomes too vocal in the U.
N about their opposition to toughening up on Iran relations with the states and the European Union could sour.
And that is something the Russians want to avoid, so far I'm going to have to give this match of political maneuvering to Russia.
They played their hand correctly.
Yes, and they are still holding some face cards.
Speaking of which did you see the picture in the NYTs of Melvedev and Obama having a toast and staring each other down? That was telling, not the event as much as how the media portrayed it, as if the US and Russia are still cold-war adversaries? Jesse answers this question by stating; "U.
S and Russia never stopped being cold war adversaries.
The mere fact that NATO is still in existence in the year 2010 is testament to this claim.
" Giraldo adds; The U.
S can't afford to lose a key ally like Russia in its efforts against Iran so the end result is that Russia maintains a viable economic partner while at the same time avoided isolating themselves from the West or the E.
U.
The worst they got was Robert Gates calling them schizophrenic.
I think they can live with that.
" Good point.
Russia has done quite well in weakening NATO over the last good many years, and their ability to turn-off the natural gas to European nations is quite an interesting way to play things.
Now then, here is yet another tough question; Do you think NATO will still be in existence in 2015? Ah, we will save that for another topic.
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