Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Layton/NDP wants Canada to pull out of Afghanistan

octothorp · 09-06-2006, 05:51 PM

I have to admit I don't understand this great fear of Iran as an aggressive user of WMDs. I think they're extremely conflicted about nuclear weapons, as most countries who have the capability to develop such a technology are. On the one hand, they've issued a fatwa stating that the development, possession, and use of nuclear weapons, even against the enemies of Islam, is itself against Islam. Issueing a fatwa is a pretty big deal, and not something that they would do simply out of posturing to placate the west.

Looking back at their history, of course they're very fearful of WMDs, as one of few countries who have been on the receiving end (I'm talking, of course, about the US-backed Iraqi army using mustard gas and sarin to inflict massive casualties on Iranian military and civilians). Iran had no chemical weapons of their own to retaliate with (as the war went on, they developed chemical weapons, though they never put them into use). Now, Iran looks at another US-backed power in the region: Israel has nuclear weapons, which they developed outside of the non-proliferation treaty. Of course Iran sees a threat similar to Iraq. Based on their history, they understand the importance of a deterrant strategy.

In addition to being very vocally opposed to chemical weapons, they're also very vocal about the non-proliferation agreement. The NPT was intended not only to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, but also to encourage the disarmament of existing nuclear powers. That hasn't happened, as the US and every other nuclear power continues to develop its nuclear weapons further, and Iraq's neighbours (Israel and Pakistan) develop nuclear weapons with no repercutions. Thus far, the Iranians have followed the NPT completely, but one would have to question whether they will continue to when a dozen key countries have failed to follow it. As it stands now, I don't believe they've completely decided that they will develop nuclear weapons. They're definitely leaving that option open, though I don't believe they see them as an offensive, first strike option. Someone mentioned earlier in this thread how the Islamic powers haven't used diplomacy. The Iranian support and gradual disillusionment with the NPT is an excellent example of an Islamic attempt at peaceful, diplomatic achievement of stability in their region, and I don't blame them for feeling that diplomatic resolutions aren't likely to do them any good.

09-06-2006, 05:51 PM	#166
octothorp Franchise Player Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: not lurking Exp:	I have to admit I don't understand this great fear of Iran as an aggressive user of WMDs. I think they're extremely conflicted about nuclear weapons, as most countries who have the capability to develop such a technology are. On the one hand, they've issued a fatwa stating that the development, possession, and use of nuclear weapons, even against the enemies of Islam, is itself against Islam. Issueing a fatwa is a pretty big deal, and not something that they would do simply out of posturing to placate the west. Looking back at their history, of course they're very fearful of WMDs, as one of few countries who have been on the receiving end (I'm talking, of course, about the US-backed Iraqi army using mustard gas and sarin to inflict massive casualties on Iranian military and civilians). Iran had no chemical weapons of their own to retaliate with (as the war went on, they developed chemical weapons, though they never put them into use). Now, Iran looks at another US-backed power in the region: Israel has nuclear weapons, which they developed outside of the non-proliferation treaty. Of course Iran sees a threat similar to Iraq. Based on their history, they understand the importance of a deterrant strategy. In addition to being very vocally opposed to chemical weapons, they're also very vocal about the non-proliferation agreement. The NPT was intended not only to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, but also to encourage the disarmament of existing nuclear powers. That hasn't happened, as the US and every other nuclear power continues to develop its nuclear weapons further, and Iraq's neighbours (Israel and Pakistan) develop nuclear weapons with no repercutions. Thus far, the Iranians have followed the NPT completely, but one would have to question whether they will continue to when a dozen key countries have failed to follow it. As it stands now, I don't believe they've completely decided that they will develop nuclear weapons. They're definitely leaving that option open, though I don't believe they see them as an offensive, first strike option. Someone mentioned earlier in this thread how the Islamic powers haven't used diplomacy. The Iranian support and gradual disillusionment with the NPT is an excellent example of an Islamic attempt at peaceful, diplomatic achievement of stability in their region, and I don't blame them for feeling that diplomatic resolutions aren't likely to do them any good.