The above article outlines a partnership entered between
Russia and Iran. As per the deal, Russia will build eight nuclear reactors for
the “peaceful use of atomic energy in Iran.” This comes just days after it was
revealed that President Obama sent a letter to the Iranian Ayatollah Khamenei
offering assistance with the Iranian nuclear program in exchange for aid
rallying a force to combat ISIS. Iran is double-dealing with Russia and the
United States and may be seeking to attain a nuclear weapon despite claims
otherwise.
Though the a copy of the letter has yet to be leaked, the
alleged content of the letter has enraged republicans who believe Obama’s
approach is the wrong one. Republicans believe that cooperation in the Middle
East with ISIS will end in Asaad remaining in power in Syria. Indeed, Asaad’s
friendship with Iran is one of the reasons Iran is combating ISIS. While the
United States and Iran both want ISIS to be removed from the region, their
motives differ. Trading the quicker removal of ISIS for continued rule of Asaad
is not worth it according to some politicians.
Further, the announcement of the Russian partnership with
Iran comes just one day after the United States promised that Iran would not
become a state with a nuclear weapon. Ayatollah Khamenei called for the
annihilation of Israel recently. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to
claim that Iranian leadership is irrational. Should Iran attain a nuclear weapon
and tensions in the region escalate there may not be enough trust between
Israel and Iran to prevent war and even possibly the use of a nuclear weapon.
One last strange point in the agreement is that Iran’s spent
nuclear fuel would be sent back to Russia for processing and packaging. This
could be a way for Iran to enrich nuclear materials for Russia in exchange for
a Russian made weapon. Masking the enriched matter as refuse makes it seem
innocent on the surface and facilitates movement of nuclear matter between the
two countries. If Russia is helping Iran build reactors it should also help
Iran manage the waste.
While questions of Iran’s motives are based largely on
speculation, double-dealing with the United States and its greatest enemy begs
questions of whether or not Iran is to be trusted. The situation is one that
will be monitored closely, no doubt, especially if Iran goes through with its
deal with Russia.
Matthew: good post. As far as I know this is not the first time the supreme leader has called for the annihilation of Israel. This is a big deal. As I said in my blog post, I believe the US partnership with Iran to defeat ISIL can work. However, I had no idea Russia was in the mix as well. With President Obama and President Putin in China, I can almost feel the tension between them. It will be very interesting to see this play out.
ReplyDeleteGood post dude! This is troublesome. Is Putin supporting Iran as a way to get back at the US for sanctioning Russia? If so, then Gorbachev was right in the sense that we are entering another cold war with Russia. If there is another cold war, are we going to be fighting proxy wars again? Is this going to be an economic war of embargoes and sanctions?
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that the Russia Ukraine crisis is the reason Putin is talking with Iranian leadership. The enemy of my enemy is my friend definitely applies to this situation. I honestly would not be surprised if proxy wars happen in the somewhat near future.
DeleteI don't think we are entering another cold war with Russia yet. Yes, tensions are rising but until something drastic happens I think Putin is a rational leader and won't throw his country into trouble.
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