The New York district attorney's office has uncovered a plot to smuggle nuclear materials to the Iranians, using New York banks as cover.
Apparently a Chinese national set up a number of fake companies, and used them to hide the fact that he was selling millions of dollars worth of nuclear materials to the Iranians.
"This case will cut off a major source of supply to Iran and it shows how they are going full steam ahead to get a nuclear bomb", says a law enforcement source close to the case.
Despite the Iranians talk that they are pursuing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, this case reveals quite a different reality.
It is no surprise to me that the Iranians are pursuing whatever means necessary to get an atomic bomb. They want the power and prestige that comes with such technology. They could hold the entire Middle East hostage with such a bomb.
Experts say the Iranians are close to amassing enough nuclear materials to make an atomic bomb. If they do, the world will become an incalculably more dangerous place.
Iran continues to defy UN and U.S. orders to cease their nuclear pursuits, and they now seem close to obtaining the required high-tech metals necessary for an atomic bomb.
New Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country may be forced to strike Iran if the U.S. does not do anything about it.
My guess? Israel will attack Iran sooner than we think.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Iran Backs North Korea, Criticises U.S.
In not so stunning news, Iran defended North Korea's right to launch rockets. They would clearly like to see North Korea perfect such technology, and then possibly offer it for sale to the Iranians.
This seemingly new alliance between North Korea and Iran should be quite unsettling. Two rogue administrations in charge of nations with strong missile and nuclear capabilities would be very dangerous to deal with.
Of course, Iran is not slowing down in their criticism of the United States, demonizing the actions of the U.S. to build a missile defense shield in Europe. Most European nations as well as the U.S. see this as a necessary defense measure against nations exactly like Iran who may soon have the ability to launch nuclear missiles into Europe.
Iran sees this as a slight against them, maintaining that their nuclear sites are for peaceful purposes only. They seem offended that others consider them a threat. The war of words will continue, of course; the only question is whether or not they will evolve to anything beyond that.
This seemingly new alliance between North Korea and Iran should be quite unsettling. Two rogue administrations in charge of nations with strong missile and nuclear capabilities would be very dangerous to deal with.
Of course, Iran is not slowing down in their criticism of the United States, demonizing the actions of the U.S. to build a missile defense shield in Europe. Most European nations as well as the U.S. see this as a necessary defense measure against nations exactly like Iran who may soon have the ability to launch nuclear missiles into Europe.
Iran sees this as a slight against them, maintaining that their nuclear sites are for peaceful purposes only. They seem offended that others consider them a threat. The war of words will continue, of course; the only question is whether or not they will evolve to anything beyond that.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
No Resolution From UN Security Council
After three hours of closed door discussion, the UN Security Council has been unable to come to any unified response to the North Korean launch. Perhaps we could have expected some more sharp rhetoric like the kind coming from Japanese, South Korean, and United States officials, but it is unrealistic to assume any decisive outcome from this or any future UN meeting.
The bottom line is that the North Korean's have forced themselves onto the world stage, they have forced themselves to be heard, and they are once again a matter of concern for the major global players. Kim Jong-il has played this game before, and he is getting pretty good at it. It seems pretty clear to me that nothing will create different outcomes from the kinds we have seen before other than military action.
Meanwhile, President Obama in a speech layed out plans for a world without nuclear weapons. It is absurd to think such a thing will happen, we cannot simply forget science. We cannot uninvent these scientific realities. Like it or not, nuclear weapons will be with us for a long time, we must learn how to deal with it.
The bottom line is that the North Korean's have forced themselves onto the world stage, they have forced themselves to be heard, and they are once again a matter of concern for the major global players. Kim Jong-il has played this game before, and he is getting pretty good at it. It seems pretty clear to me that nothing will create different outcomes from the kinds we have seen before other than military action.
Meanwhile, President Obama in a speech layed out plans for a world without nuclear weapons. It is absurd to think such a thing will happen, we cannot simply forget science. We cannot uninvent these scientific realities. Like it or not, nuclear weapons will be with us for a long time, we must learn how to deal with it.
The Iran-North Korea Connecton
With all eyes on North Korea following their rocket launch on Saturday night, perhaps the United State's focus has fallen off Iran. This would be a mistake.
There is no doubt a strong connection exists between North Korea and Iran. It has been widely recognized that North Korean rockets and missiles have been transferred into the hands of the Iranian military. Mid-range intercontinental missiles from North Korea were sold to Iran years ago, and at least one Syrian nuclear reactor was modeled off a North Korean reactor.
As North Korea improves and modernizes their missile and nuclear capabilities, so too does Iran. The United States must focus on both fronts simultaneously, and work to shut down transactions of military technology between the two nations. The well being of nations like Israel, South Korea, and Japan perhaps lay in the balance.
It is a well known fact in military tactics that fighting on two fronts at once almost always ends in disaster. If the American leadership does not take seriously the Iran-North Korea connection, and attempt to sever it, they may one day be fighting such a two-fronted military campaign.
There is no doubt a strong connection exists between North Korea and Iran. It has been widely recognized that North Korean rockets and missiles have been transferred into the hands of the Iranian military. Mid-range intercontinental missiles from North Korea were sold to Iran years ago, and at least one Syrian nuclear reactor was modeled off a North Korean reactor.
As North Korea improves and modernizes their missile and nuclear capabilities, so too does Iran. The United States must focus on both fronts simultaneously, and work to shut down transactions of military technology between the two nations. The well being of nations like Israel, South Korea, and Japan perhaps lay in the balance.
It is a well known fact in military tactics that fighting on two fronts at once almost always ends in disaster. If the American leadership does not take seriously the Iran-North Korea connection, and attempt to sever it, they may one day be fighting such a two-fronted military campaign.
57% of Americans Favor Military Response to North Korea Missile Launch
So says this Rasmussen poll. The majority of U.S. voters prefer a military response to eliminate North Korea's missile launching capabilities. Only 15% oppose military action.
I think this is a surprisingly high number, considering America's recent distaste for the expansion of their military operations overseas (i.e. Iraq). While the vast majority of American's want to completely pull our forces out of Iraq, now this poll suggests the majority wish to engage North Korea to try and shut down their launching capabilities.
This will not have any real effect on whether or not U.S. forces, or a joint international force actually strike at North Korea, but it is an interesting statistic.
Perhaps, with this very loud international outcry against North Korea, combined with favorable numbers at home, the U.S. will consider undertaking a military campaign. But we have seen this posturing before from Kim Jong-il, and until I hear something completely new, I don't expect military action for the time being.
I think this is a surprisingly high number, considering America's recent distaste for the expansion of their military operations overseas (i.e. Iraq). While the vast majority of American's want to completely pull our forces out of Iraq, now this poll suggests the majority wish to engage North Korea to try and shut down their launching capabilities.
This will not have any real effect on whether or not U.S. forces, or a joint international force actually strike at North Korea, but it is an interesting statistic.
Perhaps, with this very loud international outcry against North Korea, combined with favorable numbers at home, the U.S. will consider undertaking a military campaign. But we have seen this posturing before from Kim Jong-il, and until I hear something completely new, I don't expect military action for the time being.
UN Security Council to Meet Sunday, 3 p.m. EDT
The UN Security Council will meet to discuss the North Korean launch, and whether or not further sanctions will be pursued.
We have heard sharp rhetoric coming from various countries, and it is clear the Japanese and Americans want a strong, unified condemnation of the launch. They will also pursure more strict enforcement of the already strong sanctions gainst the North.
Whether or not this will have any real effect on the North Koreans remains to be seen, however I am not optomistic this will leave Kim Jong-il quacking in his boots.
We have heard sharp rhetoric coming from various countries, and it is clear the Japanese and Americans want a strong, unified condemnation of the launch. They will also pursure more strict enforcement of the already strong sanctions gainst the North.
Whether or not this will have any real effect on the North Koreans remains to be seen, however I am not optomistic this will leave Kim Jong-il quacking in his boots.
Satellite Did Not Reach Orbit
It seems that the satellite the North Koreans attempted to put into space crashed into the Pacific Ocean last night.
This from NORAD and U.S. Northern Command officials. They say stages one and two of the rocket fell into the Sea of Japan, and the payload itself fell into the Pacific.
Of course the state run North Korean news agency is saying the launch was a success, and that the satellite is up there right now, spitting out patriotic songs.
I am more inclined to believe U.S. intelligence statements than North Korean, however, and come to the conclusion that this satellite is not in space.
That may not be the key point to come a way from this launch with, however. The North Koreans have proven they can launch a Taepodong-2 missile succesfully, and no doubt there will be potential buyers coming to their doorstep.
In fact, Iranian officials were on site yesterday, observing the launch. This may only be the beginning of a process whereby Iran purchases the technology from North Korea, and poses a potentially deadly threat to various nations throught the Middle East and the world. THAT possibility should be the real concern to all nations hoping to avoid war.
This from NORAD and U.S. Northern Command officials. They say stages one and two of the rocket fell into the Sea of Japan, and the payload itself fell into the Pacific.
Of course the state run North Korean news agency is saying the launch was a success, and that the satellite is up there right now, spitting out patriotic songs.
I am more inclined to believe U.S. intelligence statements than North Korean, however, and come to the conclusion that this satellite is not in space.
That may not be the key point to come a way from this launch with, however. The North Koreans have proven they can launch a Taepodong-2 missile succesfully, and no doubt there will be potential buyers coming to their doorstep.
In fact, Iranian officials were on site yesterday, observing the launch. This may only be the beginning of a process whereby Iran purchases the technology from North Korea, and poses a potentially deadly threat to various nations throught the Middle East and the world. THAT possibility should be the real concern to all nations hoping to avoid war.
International Responses to North Korean Launch
The many responses to the launch last night are coming in from all over the world, and they seem to be pretty unanimous in their condemnation of the act.
But political statements and press briefings are not going to deter the North Koreans from pursuing these actions again. As I wrote last night, they have positioned themselves in a way where they have the most leverage when they engage in these provocative acts. This is how they force themselves onto the world stage, and force the global players to pay attention to them.
It is hard for me to see any sort of resolution from the U.N. that could seriously harm the North Koreans.
And this from the Russians, who are asking for calm. They are checking whether or not this is a violation of U.N. sanctions, which seems to be a pretty clear break from the rest of the leading nations who have already clearly and firmly condemned this act as a breach of sanctions. It will be interesting to see how the world powers, some who have more ties to North Korea than others, continue to respond.
As of this morning though, the North Koreans sit atop the world stage, havng defied urges from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. Their presence in world matters has grown if only a little these past two weeks.
But political statements and press briefings are not going to deter the North Koreans from pursuing these actions again. As I wrote last night, they have positioned themselves in a way where they have the most leverage when they engage in these provocative acts. This is how they force themselves onto the world stage, and force the global players to pay attention to them.
It is hard for me to see any sort of resolution from the U.N. that could seriously harm the North Koreans.
And this from the Russians, who are asking for calm. They are checking whether or not this is a violation of U.N. sanctions, which seems to be a pretty clear break from the rest of the leading nations who have already clearly and firmly condemned this act as a breach of sanctions. It will be interesting to see how the world powers, some who have more ties to North Korea than others, continue to respond.
As of this morning though, the North Koreans sit atop the world stage, havng defied urges from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. Their presence in world matters has grown if only a little these past two weeks.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Iran-Israel Tensions Reach U.S. Soil
With recent talk from new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting he may strike Iran, tensions in the region have escelated even beyond their normally high levels.
This news, in conjunction with U.S. General David Patraeus' comments that Isreal might attack Iran even without U.S. backing, has placed this front on center stage alongside the North Korean rocket launch.
Normally, talk coming from the Israelis and Iranians concerning threats of violence would not surprise anyone. Such talk has occured for decades, but what we haven't seen is increased security threats on U.S. soil in relation to those tensions.
The NYPD has plans to increase security in heavy Jewish areas in preperation for a potential conflict between the two Middle East nations.
The fact that Israel and Iran are headed for a military showdown does not surprise anyone; the fact that American police officers are actively planning for possible physical retaliation should be more of a head turner.
This news, in conjunction with U.S. General David Patraeus' comments that Isreal might attack Iran even without U.S. backing, has placed this front on center stage alongside the North Korean rocket launch.
Normally, talk coming from the Israelis and Iranians concerning threats of violence would not surprise anyone. Such talk has occured for decades, but what we haven't seen is increased security threats on U.S. soil in relation to those tensions.
The NYPD has plans to increase security in heavy Jewish areas in preperation for a potential conflict between the two Middle East nations.
The fact that Israel and Iran are headed for a military showdown does not surprise anyone; the fact that American police officers are actively planning for possible physical retaliation should be more of a head turner.
Possible Respones to Launch
It has been confirmed that the North Korean launch has occured. Some outcomes of this action:
1. No further negative actions against North Korea. They are already very much sealed off from the rest of the world, and it is not clear whether more U.N. sanctions will take place. It is most likely that Russia and China will not do anything either.
2. Increased sanctions against North Korea. A heavy, unified response to this launch by the global powers will hurt the North Koreans even more. But don't forget the already heavy sanctions against North Korea. This is a very poor country. It is hard to imagine this type of action having any effect on the Kim Jong-il administration.
3. Military actions. This is most unlikely. The Japanese have not intercepted the rocket and the South Koreans are not eager to bring about any action against the North.
The most important thing to take away from this launch is whether or not the North Koreans are able to sell their technology to more dangerous parties. That may bring about a domino effect in which nuclear and rocket capabilities fall into the hands of terrorist groups. Also, a lack of an international response to this launch may embolden the North Korean's and lead to more outrageous actions.
All in all, this seems like a very positive series of events for the North Koreans.
1. No further negative actions against North Korea. They are already very much sealed off from the rest of the world, and it is not clear whether more U.N. sanctions will take place. It is most likely that Russia and China will not do anything either.
2. Increased sanctions against North Korea. A heavy, unified response to this launch by the global powers will hurt the North Koreans even more. But don't forget the already heavy sanctions against North Korea. This is a very poor country. It is hard to imagine this type of action having any effect on the Kim Jong-il administration.
3. Military actions. This is most unlikely. The Japanese have not intercepted the rocket and the South Koreans are not eager to bring about any action against the North.
The most important thing to take away from this launch is whether or not the North Koreans are able to sell their technology to more dangerous parties. That may bring about a domino effect in which nuclear and rocket capabilities fall into the hands of terrorist groups. Also, a lack of an international response to this launch may embolden the North Korean's and lead to more outrageous actions.
All in all, this seems like a very positive series of events for the North Koreans.
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