Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inspecting the Natanz nuclear plant in central Iran Photograph: EPA/The GuardianFrom Wall Street Journal:
States throughout the region are looking to establish nuclear programs.
In the capitals of Western nations, Abdul Qadeer Khan, the man regarded as the father of the Pakistani atom bomb, is regarded as a maverick with a criminal past. In addition to his well-documented role in developing a nuclear device for Pakistan, he helped Iran and North Korea with their nuclear programs.
But since his release from house arrest a month ago, Mr. Khan has entertained a string of official visitors from across the Middle East. All come with messages of sympathy; and some governments in that region are looking to him for the knowledge and advice they need to fast track their own illicit nuclear projects.
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My Comment: President Obama believes otherwise. While the Arab countries firmly believe that Iran is dedicated to the development of a nuclear weapons program, President Obama believes that they are not .... that by diplomacy and negotiation it will be possible to dissuade Iran from following this course.
I do not know where President Obama gets his assurances that makes him publicly state his belief that this is the case .... but I feel the complete opposite. That for the Iranian Government, it is essential for their survival to have a nuclear program with all of the "benefits" that it will give in terms of prestige, power, and influence. That nothing will dissuade them from this course.
The Arabs are looking at what Iran is doing .... and they have made the strategic decision to match what they are doing. They are of the belief that Iran will now not stop at anything to develop a full fledge nuclear weapons program. That this is the ultimate goal.
If this is the dynamics in play .... and I believe that it is .... we are in a nuclear arms race.
