Every effort should be made to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but failing that, the world could live with a nuclear-armed regime in Tehran, a recently retired commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East said Monday.
John Abizaid, the retired Army general who headed Central Command for nearly four years, said he was confident that if Iran gained nuclear arms, the United States could deter it from using them.
"Iran is not a suicide nation," he said. "I mean, they may have some people in charge that don't appear to be rational, but I doubt that the Iranians intend to attack us with a nuclear weapon."
The Iranians are aware, he said, that the United States has a far superior military capability.
"I believe that we have the power to deter Iran, should it become nuclear," he said, referring to the theory that Iran would not risk a catastrophic retaliatory strike by using a nuclear weapon against the United States.
"There are ways to live with a nuclear Iran," Abizaid said in remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank. "Let's face it, we lived with a nuclear Soviet Union, we've lived with a nuclear China, and we're living with (other) nuclear powers as well."
(I give it an hour before Randal jumps in and call Gen. Abizaid a traitor)
Iran is not a suicide nation, according to Gen. Abizaid.
That's what a lot of people said in the 1930s about Nazi Germany, including American hero Charles Linbergh. Randal's right. Sometimes good people are simply wrong.
Iran's leaders may not be "suicidal," but they have supported suicide bombings around the world.
They have repeatedly said that Israel needs to be "wiped off the map."
If the world's Jews have learned anything since 1943, it's this: When someone says they want to kill you, believe them.
Israel is not a suicidal country either. Hoping that Iran's leaders aren't crazy isn't much of a defense policy. Especially, given their past and present behavior.
Even the French are starting to understand this. A nuclear-armed Iran is simply unacceptable.
Iran is not a suicide nation, according to Gen. Abizaid.
That's what a lot of people said in the 1930s about Nazi Germany, including American hero Charles Linbergh. Randal's right. Sometimes good people are simply wrong.
Iran's leaders may not be "suicidal," but they have supported suicide bombings around the world.
They have repeatedly said that Israel needs to be "wiped off the map."
If the world's Jews have learned anything since 1943, it's this: When someone says they want to kill you, believe them.
Israel is not a suicidal country either. Hoping that Iran's leaders aren't crazy isn't much of a defense policy. Especially, given their past and present behavior.
Even the French are starting to understand this. A nuclear-armed Iran is simply unacceptable.
Spencer- The right-wing holds power by generating fear (however irrational/unlikely) and then promising to keep the fearful things at bay.
We like to claim that our thousands of nuclear weapons are for "self-defense". The British, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel all have nukes too. Iran is in much more danger of invasion that we are. But because we don't like them, they don't have the "right" to defend themselves. The "destruction of Israel" is a lot of empty rhetoric, because even with Iran having a few nukes, Israel would wipe them off the map.
Just because our current President is reckless and stupid, we shouldn't assume that the other world leaders are too.
The Left’s irrational personal hatred of Bush has caused them to refuse to believe the clear threat that is Iran. That’s where their Politics of Hurt Feelings become dangerous. This is yet another reason why the Left should be precluded from all discussions on foreign policy and war. Those emotional folks just can’t put their emotions aside and be rational. And let’s not ask schoolyard children what they think either.
Randal- Gen. Abizaid is not one your imagined "emotional folks". I'm not aware he has any irrational hatred of Bush either.
BTW, it's not that "we" hate Bush, it's that Bush is a thoroughly incompetent President and his failed policies have made this world a MORE dangerous place.
Uh, yeah, Dave, also notice how the good General was reasonable and rational in expressing his wrong views, unlike the rest of you Angry Lefties.
And no matter how many times you shrill dishonest guys say it, the world will not magically become more dangerous because of Bush. Sorry. That’s a worn out cheap sound byte.
Randal- "magically become", like in the future? Umm.. it's already become more dangerous. And it wasn't "magic" it was incompetence and ignorance.
And, btw, Abizaid made the same exact points I made last week on this issue. Neither of us was "irrational" about it, but you sure got your panties in a bunch.
Rarely do you post anything that is not ridded with shrill irrational Lib invective. Emotion will do that to people incapable of leaving it out. Had you I think I would remember it.
Fear what Iran and the other Islamic radicals say. They mean it, they want to kill us, and if we engage in more diplomacy, they will cut our throat while in the group hug.
Anonymous- So when neo-cons like Ann Coulter call for converting them to Christianity and bombing the rest, what are Iran and the other Islamic radicals supposed to think (especially after we invaded Iraq)?
Oh, yeah, and WE actually have the military capacity to bring death to ALL of them, but not the other way around.
They aren't killing as many Americans as handguns, drunk drivers or cigarettes.
20 Comments:
Good for them. Israel has shown great restraint.
Iran should be next.
I absolutely love the no-nonsense way Israel deals wit threats. Whenever anyone gives them an ounce of sh!t, they give back a pound of a$$ whoopin'.
Like a good neighbor surrounded by thugs should.
Yahoo News: Abizaid: World could abide nuclear Iran
Every effort should be made to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, but failing that, the world could live with a nuclear-armed regime in Tehran, a recently retired commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East said Monday.
John Abizaid, the retired Army general who headed Central Command for nearly four years, said he was confident that if Iran gained nuclear arms, the United States could deter it from using them.
"Iran is not a suicide nation," he said. "I mean, they may have some people in charge that don't appear to be rational, but I doubt that the Iranians intend to attack us with a nuclear weapon."
The Iranians are aware, he said, that the United States has a far superior military capability.
"I believe that we have the power to deter Iran, should it become nuclear," he said, referring to the theory that Iran would not risk a catastrophic retaliatory strike by using a nuclear weapon against the United States.
"There are ways to live with a nuclear Iran," Abizaid said in remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think tank. "Let's face it, we lived with a nuclear Soviet Union, we've lived with a nuclear China, and we're living with (other) nuclear powers as well."
(I give it an hour before Randal jumps in and call Gen. Abizaid a traitor)
Sometimes people are just wrong. And we can always count on you to support them.
Randal-
Sometimes (always) you are wrong, but don't hold your breath couting on me to support you.
On second thought.. hold your breath. If you can do it for 20 minutes, I could support that.
Iran is not a suicide nation, according to Gen. Abizaid.
That's what a lot of people said in the 1930s about Nazi Germany, including American hero Charles Linbergh. Randal's right. Sometimes good people are simply wrong.
Iran's leaders may not be "suicidal," but they have supported suicide bombings around the world.
They have repeatedly said that Israel needs to be "wiped off the map."
If the world's Jews have learned anything since 1943, it's this: When someone says they want to kill you, believe them.
Israel is not a suicidal country either. Hoping that Iran's leaders aren't crazy isn't much of a defense policy. Especially, given their past and present behavior.
Even the French are starting to understand this. A nuclear-armed Iran is simply unacceptable.
Iran is not a suicide nation, according to Gen. Abizaid.
That's what a lot of people said in the 1930s about Nazi Germany, including American hero Charles Linbergh. Randal's right. Sometimes good people are simply wrong.
Iran's leaders may not be "suicidal," but they have supported suicide bombings around the world.
They have repeatedly said that Israel needs to be "wiped off the map."
If the world's Jews have learned anything since 1943, it's this: When someone says they want to kill you, believe them.
Israel is not a suicidal country either. Hoping that Iran's leaders aren't crazy isn't much of a defense policy. Especially, given their past and present behavior.
Even the French are starting to understand this. A nuclear-armed Iran is simply unacceptable.
And calling our generals traitors is more a partisan Democratic tactic, Dave, you gotta admit.
Spencer-
The right-wing holds power by generating fear (however irrational/unlikely) and then promising to keep the fearful things at bay.
We like to claim that our thousands of nuclear weapons are for "self-defense". The British, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Israel all have nukes too. Iran is in much more danger of invasion that we are. But because we don't like them, they don't have the "right" to defend themselves. The "destruction of Israel" is a lot of empty rhetoric, because even with Iran having a few nukes, Israel would wipe them off the map.
Just because our current President is reckless and stupid, we shouldn't assume that the other world leaders are too.
The Left’s irrational personal hatred of Bush has caused them to refuse to believe the clear threat that is Iran. That’s where their Politics of Hurt Feelings become dangerous. This is yet another reason why the Left should be precluded from all discussions on foreign policy and war. Those emotional folks just can’t put their emotions aside and be rational.
And let’s not ask schoolyard children what they think either.
Randal-
Gen. Abizaid is not one your imagined "emotional folks". I'm not aware he has any irrational hatred of Bush either.
BTW, it's not that "we" hate Bush, it's that Bush is a thoroughly incompetent President and his failed policies have made this world a MORE dangerous place.
Uh, yeah, Dave, also notice how the good General was reasonable and rational in expressing his wrong views, unlike the rest of you Angry Lefties.
And no matter how many times you shrill dishonest guys say it, the world will not magically become more dangerous because of Bush. Sorry. That’s a worn out cheap sound byte.
Randal-
"magically become", like in the future? Umm.. it's already become more dangerous. And it wasn't "magic" it was incompetence and ignorance.
And, btw, Abizaid made the same exact points I made last week on this issue. Neither of us was "irrational" about it, but you sure got your panties in a bunch.
Rarely do you post anything that is not ridded with shrill irrational Lib invective. Emotion will do that to people incapable of leaving it out. Had you I think I would remember it.
David:
Fear what Iran and the other Islamic radicals say. They mean it, they want to kill us, and if we engage in more diplomacy, they will cut our throat while in the group hug.
Anonymous-
So when neo-cons like Ann Coulter call for converting them to Christianity and bombing the rest, what are Iran and the other Islamic radicals supposed to think (especially after we invaded Iraq)?
Oh, yeah, and WE actually have the military capacity to bring death to ALL of them, but not the other way around.
They aren't killing as many Americans as handguns, drunk drivers or cigarettes.
David:
Handguns don't kill people, people kill people. In fact, automobiles are responsible (the tool) for more deaths than firearms.
Liberalism is more dangerous than all those things combined.
Why do you hate America so much, Dave?
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