Since you all showed a preference for having readings after we have covered the material, we are just posting current events articles.
Remember to still write a comment and let us know what you think!
Efforts to REbrand Arab Spring, NYTimes
Netanyahu: Stop the ‘blabbing’ about attacking Iran
Another round of SanctionsFears Grow of Israeli Attack
Women Ninjas!
See you on Wednesday!
Thoughts regarding "Senate begins another Iran sanctions push, targets Ahmadinejad and Khamenei."
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, I think it is better if we isolate the Iranian government from its people instead of pushing those two together uniting against the U.S. Right now the sanctions are hurting the Iranian economy, which will primarily hurt the poor Iranians as the rich and powerful ones have the assets to survive even with the sanction going on. The U.S.'s blatant intrusion toward Iranian affairs, trying to force the Iranian government into submission, also forced the Iranian people into supporting the Iranian regime as the Iranian history made the regime a hero for resisting Western influences and maintaining Iranian sovereignty.
----Wenjia Xing
I actually found the National Post article a little humorous as the Israeli Prime Minister had to tell his officials to stop “blabbing” about the possibility of attacking Iran. It seemed a bit childish that these officials had to actually be told to essentially shut up; you would think being at such high levels in the government they would have a bit more tact. In the article about more sanctions on Iran I found the quote towards the end of the article saying "This is a reminder that there are still more stones left unturned and there are still more ways to increase the pressure on an already extraordinarily pressured Iranian economy," to be a little excessive. I feel like it was harsh and pretty unnecessary as we are in a period where threats will get us nowhere but into more trouble. Reading about the increasing participation of Women in athletics was nice as it was something positive amongst all of the negative media surrounding Iran.
ReplyDeleteBianca Safai
There is contradiction between the National Post and NPR article. One suggests that Israel is not ready to attack while the other gives strategic scenarios and possibilities when the attack happens. But I still do not think Israel will make a move without the support of the States. The National Post article actually reminded me of an earlier article we read "Dont do it Bibi". Maybe Netanyahau is realizing and starting to respect America's support and is thinking about America's priorities before Israel's
ReplyDeleteAs I read the article "Just a Bluff? Fears Grow of Irsaeli Attack on Iran" I couldn't help but feel the back and forth name calling was unnecessary and unproductive, especially because the threat of war is lingering behind each verbal attack. Obama is quoted as hoping that the two nations will resolve their issue diplomatically. I don't see how Israel calling Iran a modern day Nazi Germany and Iran calling Israel a cancerous tumor is in anyway diplomatic. Diplomacy is out the window and more drastic measures need to be taken. If a war is initiated, regardless of which side starts it, it will involve more countries than just Iran and Israel. Therefore, those countries, i.e. the United States should force diplomatic measures to prevent a war. They should refuse to sit back and hope it will resolve itself by demanding a meeting or conference to work towards a resolution.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the title "Women Ninjas!," I didn't think the article would literally be about women in Iran training to become ninjas. This was definitely very interesting to read (and it was equally interesting to watch the videos), seeing as how ninjitsu is sort of an underground culture, but the fact that these women are bringing it into the mainstream culture and using it to empower themselves is fascinating. I commend them for refusing to be acquiescent and for looking to other means to gain the same status as men and to prove to men that they are just as capable, competent, and qualified, if not more.
ReplyDeleteNetanyahu wants silence while he waits for America to decide how his "soveriegn" nation should act moving forward? Obama with more sanctions to starve Iranian people and foster anti-Americanism the way Clinton did with Iraq in the 90's?
ReplyDeleteWhat a mess we've created in the Middle East. What a bunch of schoolyard children we have in charge of these governments. What a ridiculous amount of power and authority we've given to the central bankers.
What are you waiting for? Attack if that's what you are going to do! But that's not what they are going to do, not that simply.
We have to sustain the facade of economic prosperity. With the Fed destroying the value of the Dollar, how would it be worth anything more than the weight of the paper and Levi's denim scraps it's printed on if we can't force the OPEC countries to trade in it? How many of the OPEC countries actually agreed to the Dollar as the strict reserve currency? How much longer can this last?
"There is nothing new under the sun..." If it's Iran's nukes that are the problem, why can't Israel handle the situation the way they did Iraq in 1981? Shoot a missile at the laboratories. BAM! problem solved! But it's about Dollars, that’s why. Nuclear proliferation didn't end Saddam's life; his refusal to deal in Dollars did 25 years later.
You talked too much, Ghaddafi.
This isn't about security. Assassinating Iranian scientists in the streets -as is already done regularly- should handle that. This is about regime change, about installing another puppet government in a major oil producing country. The national debt surging to $17,000,000,000.00 (No wonder Ahmadinejad wants to diversify with some Rupees) and we're committing to more "wars" (but not congressionally declared wars )and nation building. How is that working out in Iraq after 10 years?
Meanwhile the death toll in Syria is up to 6,000 since March of last year, the citizens being slaughtered publicly by a tyrannical government. That regime doesn't need changing?
1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
There's my rant for the week. Thanks for the articles.
-Brenton Jackson
An Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites would be a logistical nightmare. It will be extremely difficult for them to secure air passage over the Islamic countries that lie between Israel and Iran.
ReplyDeleteThe F-16s used in the Israeli bombing of Saddam's nuclear reactor were stripped to the bones, and flew with full external tanks that were topped off on the runway prior to takeoff. It is currently impossible for F-16s -- presumably the aircraft they would use in an aerial attack -- to reach that distance, external tanks or not. The Israelis COULD refuel their aircraft off of a C-130 or Boeing 707 but the Islamic nations in whose airspace such refueling will occur loses plausible deniability. Aircraft will not refuel each other at low altitude (required to evade radar detection), and the racetrack pattern that aircraft fly in aerial refueling is unmistakable. Thus, an Islamic nation cannot allow such refueling to occur. But if the Israelis feel cornered enough, they may do it. After all, they have some of the most advanced equipment in the region and the means to prosecute a war efficiently.
The most viable option for Israeli military intervention is a commando attack, but even that is a stretch. How will they get the men and equipment necessary in a position to attack? Cyberwarfare also can't be ruled out, but the window of opportunity for such an attacks appears to be drastically decreasing.
So what will we do? If a war occurs and Iran does blockade the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Navy can reopen it, but if it takes military force, it may very well explode into a full-scale war. Then, the article mentioned Iraqi oilfields. How would the American people feel about the U.S. returning to Iraq once more?
What's worrying me is that we are in the heat of election season. Everyone's ready for war. Hopefully, it won't come down to that.
I was very confused when I read the article "Effort the Rebrand Arab Spring Backfires on Iran". I was wondering why President Ahmadinejad would invite people to instigate a revolution. I know many people are already opposed to the current Iranian regime and would love to have a rebellion or revolution to overthrow the current system so why would Ahmadinejad want to support these people who are in essence trying to get rid of him. Also, I understand that this conference was supposed to be a unity of Islam yet the Syrians were excluded which shows the disunity. I also didn't know that their was a sect of Islam called Alawite, which is something that I would be more interested in learning about.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Netanyahu article, I was thinking "what if tomorrow Ahmadinejad announces that they indeed are masking nuclear weapons?" I wonder what I would feel are the necessary steps that should be taken.
The "Sanctions" article really upsets me because I still believe that sanctions will only be hurting the people of Iran more than the government itself. Also, it is frustrating that the US once again thinks its is the watchdog of the international community and is basically treating Iran as if it were punishing a child; telling them what they can and can not do. What ever happened to sovereignty? What happened to not infringing on the rights of another country?
I really hope that there is not an attack on Iran, or even worse, an all out world wide conflict. I do not see how their could be a parallel between Iran and Nazi Germany, and think that is a way exaggerated claim.
Lastly, the "Ninjas" article was super interesting! I watched the video clip and couldn't believe how intense these women are about this sport. They definitely have a ton of swag and it looks like this activity is empowering to them.
Scary, Scary stuff this week. I am most intrigued with the articles that have to deal with a possible Israeli strike. I feel that the United States must back an Israel attack one million percent... but as an American I really hope that doesn't happen. I think a war between Iran and the West would be a HUGE MESS! Although I understand Israel's concern. It is not comfortable to have the SUPREME LEADER of a neighboring country say, "(Israel is)a cancerous tumor that should be cut and will be cut.".. while they are developing nuclear weapons. While I agree that Israel should not be the only country in the region to have nuclear weapons, those countries that say things of that nature just shouldn't. Also, my girlfriend who served two years in the Israeli Defense Forces has told me that Israeli's military capabilities and intelligence far exceed the United States'; therefore, part of me thinks we should take this cry for action to heart. Also this huge is going to have a huge impact on the Presidential election.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of sanctions is interesting because they definitely serve to hurt the citizens of a country. They are aggressive and hurt both sides. I believe they will do little to deter Iran's nuclear ambitions and are pointless
ReplyDeleteThe US and Israel are infringing on Iran's sovereignty. The only reason the government continues to be so extreme is because the US and Israel are igniting all of this issues.
ReplyDeleteI think Israel should shut up and I dont mean just the military. They talk a lot and frankly they are perusing a vendetta again Iran and plenty of others. Natenyahu should stop acting as the wise Grandpa of the US and the world. A few months back he spoke to congress as if they were children about how things work in the Middle East and how we should essentially support Israel. But their own state sponsored terrorism in their own country should make the population weary.
I dont know, I felt the need to insert that rant because Natenyahu makes me angry. At the end of the day though, I think war is a bluff and if they do act on war, the turmoil in the middle will have an unimaginable spillover effect. It will be ugly because of the religious divide but also all the interests that will compete in the region and for the regions resources.
I found the article about the Islamic conference very strange. First of all, I was not aware that these conferences even existed. Second of all, Iran clearly wanted to stir things up by being selective with who they invited.
ReplyDeleteAll of these articles simply remind me how immature politics can be at times. Its ironic that, in the Netanyahu article, Israel "insisted it retains the option of a military strike to halt its nuclear activities." Okay, that may seem a little reasonable, but to claim that Israel has been "speaking too freely" about their plans seems counter intuitive for a country who claims to be a democracy.
I liked the article on Women Ninjas. It is true that from a western perspective Iranian women are seen as very weak on the surface due to having to wear a hijab and other aspects of how they are portrayed, but in reality they are so much stronger in many ways than we give them credit for.
ReplyDeleteOk, first of all, Netanyahu looks really coldhearted and evil in the picture in one of the articles. Anyways, I just don't like the idea of any country attacking Iran at this point. Even if Iran had nuclear weapons, so does Israel! Why doesn't the US attack Israel. If you're going to attack or sanction Iran for making nuclear weapons, then you better take the nuclear weapons Israel already has out of its hands (idk where they would take it or get rid of it though...)
ReplyDeleteAlso, about the Women Ninjas, I felt really bad that these women have to run with so much cloth wrapped around them. I can't imagine exercising like that; it must be really bothersome. What's worse is that they worked so hard in those conditions to compete internationally and were turned down because of something they had no control over. I feel bad for the women in Iran.