IRAN HAS THE UPPER HAND & HAS HAD IT FOR A WHILE

"Iran's defiance of a Council ultimatum has not raised the enthusiasm of even key U.S. allies such as Germany — let alone Russia and China — to opt for sanctions. In fact, [1] the suggestion by U.S. officials that they may have to rely on sanctions by a "coalition of the willing" outside of the Security Council is a clear indicator that Washington is struggling to prevail on the issue.
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Iran's defiance may be based on a sound diplomatic calculation. The international community demands that Iran go the extra mile to satisfy concerns over its atomic energy program, but it also insists that the issue be resolved via diplomacy rather than confrontation. For reasons ranging from the price of oil to the turmoil in neighboring Iraq, much of the world outside of the U.S. fears that a confrontation between America and Iran would have disastrous consequences.
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[2] Mindful of the need to play to the international consensus, Iran has not rejected suspending uranium enrichment on principle. But any suspension of enrichment, the Iranians say, must be an outcome of negotiations rather than a precondition for talking, as the current offer requires.
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[3] Iran's top priority in any negotiated solution will be to secure cast-iron security guarantees that would require the U.S. taking "regime-change" off the table.
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[4] The premise of much of the thinking in Europe is that global security will be better served by integrating Iran into the international community, rather than isolating it.
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[5] While the U.S. in the coming weeks will remind the international community of its commitment to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran will be working just as hard to tempt the Security Council players to restrain Washington by offering a diplomatic path that averts confrontation."


[1] Back on April 20th 2006 statements made by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice indicated that the United States of America was already in trouble trying to get the U.N. Security Council to consider "economic & political sanctions". Her words reflect that:

“I think that we have options at our disposal that are not even necessarily fully within the Security Council. You know that there are states that have been saying that if we don't get meaningful measures inside the Security Council, perhaps a coalition of the willing will think about other financial or political measures that could be taken”, Rice said.

According to “The National Security Strategy of the United States of America”:

"The Iranian regime's true intentions are clearly revealed by the regime's refusal to negotiate in good faith; its refusal to come into compliance with its international obligations by providing the IAEA access to nuclear sites and resolving troubling questions; and the aggressive statements of its President calling for Israel to "be wiped off the face of the earth." The United States has joined with our EU partners and Russia to pressure Iran to meet its international obligations and provide objective gurantees that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. This diplomatic effort must succeed if confrontation is to be avoided.

As important as are these nuclear issues, the United States has broader concerns regarding Iran. The Iranian regime sponsors terrorism; threatens Israel; seeks to thwart Middle East peace; disrupts democracy in Iraq; and denies the aspirations of its people for freedom. The nuclear issue and our other concerns can ultimately be resolved only if the Iranian regime makes the strategic decision to change these policies, open up its political system, and afford freedom to its people. This is the ultimate goal of the U.S. policy. In the interim, we will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our national and economic security against the adverse effects of their bad conduct. The problems lie with the illicit behavior and dangerous ambition of the Iranian regime, not the legitimate aspirations and interest of the Iranian people. Our strategy is to block the threats posed by the regime while expanding our engagement and outreach to the people the regime is oppressing."

[2] A move by the Iranians which makes the United States appear to be the "bad guy" by setting up pre-conditions while the poor innocent Iranians really do want to negotiate a 'peaceful' settlement to the nuclear issue but without any conditions, etc.

The Iranians want a 'level' playing field (the lack of conditions before talks can take place), whereas the "Bad Guys", a.k.a. the United States, wants Iran to be at a disadvantage (the reason for the condition before talks can take place).

[3] What better way would there be to defang the United States of America, the worlds hyper-puissance, then to receive promises from them not to do anything in order to topple the terrorist regime in Tehran?!?

Once the United States agrees & signs on the dotted line, it will be looked up on as the "evil empire" that it really is if and when it becomes necessary to strike Iran, etc.

[4] Ohhh that European thinking, it hasn't changed much in over 60 yrs time has it?!? Just look at this:

"...in the 1930s in England to describe the Ramsey McDonald/Stanley Baldwin/Neville Chamberlain British governments' policy of avoiding military conflict with Hitler's Germany by yielding to his territorial demands...."

Oh oh, there it is again…APPEASEMENT, that's right folks no matter how they may try to disguise it, it is still APPEASEMENT…

[5] Since the entire world, including the United States of America, is in APPEASEMENT MODE Iran, Ahmadinejad and the Ayatollah's are going to get their way.

They will continue merrily towards their goal of bringing forth the Mahdi (the 12th imam) so he can bring about the islamic version of PEACE which is nothing more then the subjugation of the entire world to islam via death, conversion or dhimmitude.

A quick search gives you the following synopsis of what the 12 imam/Mahdi is all about:

The 12th Imam:

What Is An Imam?What is the 12th Imam? According to Islamic belief, an Imam is an anointed leader or ruler. Especially among the Shia beliefs an Imam is thought (though not required), to be a prayer leader or cleric when the word is capitalized. Sunnis too believe an Imam may be a prophet; Shiites believe not all prophets can be an Imam but an Imam can also be a prophet. An Imam is said to be anointed by Allah and a perfect example of leading mankind in every way. The Shiite interpretation is that only Allah can appoint an Imam and no man has the power to do so. The 12th Imam is said to be a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad, having divine status as did each of this succession of sons. The 12th Imam is also called the Hidden Imam and the Mahdi (guided one).
The 12th Imam: Who Is The 12th Imam?Within the Shiite, (which is predominate in Iran), it is prophesied that there is a coming 12th Imam who is the great spiritual savior. This Imam is named Abu al-Qasim Muhammad or also called Muhammad al Mahdi. He is said to have been born the son of the 11th Imam, Hasan Al-Askari and his wife, the granddaughter of an Emperor. There are conflicting statements of her name being either Fatima or Nargis Khatoon. Most accounts of the story say that al Mahdi went into hiding as a child around the age of 5 years (about 13th Century). It said he has been ‘in hiding’ in caves ever since but will supernaturally return just before the Day of Judgment. According to the Hadith the criteria for the Hidden Imam are:

-He will be a descendant of Muhammad and the son of Fatima
-Will have a broad forehead and pointed nose
-Will return just before the end of the world
-His appearance will be preceded by a number of prophetic events during 3 years of horrendous world chaos, tyranny and oppression
-Will escape from Madina to Mekkah, thousands will pledge allegiance to him
-Will rule over the Arabs and the world for 7 years
-Will eradicate all tyranny and oppression bringing harmony and total peace
-Will lead a prayer in Mekkah which Jesus will be at his side and follow in

Remarkably, the 12th Imam theory plays heavily into the world’s current concerns with Iran. The Shiite Muslim President of Iran, Ahmadinejad, is deeply committed to the Islamic Messiah, al Mahdi. There have been many through the years claiming to be the Hidden Imam but Ahmadinejad believes he is yet to come. He claims that he is to personally prepare the world for the coming Mahdi. In order to save the world, it must be in a state of chaos and subjugation. Ahmadinejad claims he was “directed by Allah to pave the way for the glorious appearance of the Mahdi”. This apocalyptic directive includes some very scary proclamations.

The 12th Imam: Why Is This Especially Important Now?
While Christians look for Jesus’ 2nd coming, the Jews await the Messiah and Muslims await the 12th Imam. However, of the three, Allah’s designated Mahdi is the only one who demands a violent path to conquer the world. Mr. Ahmadinejad, and his cabinet, say they have a ‘signed contract’ with al Mahdi in which they pledge themselves to his work. What does this work involve? In light of concerns over Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly stated Israel should be wiped off the map. He spoke to the United Nations in September ’05. During that speech he claims to have been in an aura of light and felt a change in the atmosphere during which time no one present could blink their eyes. Iran’s PM is also said to have spoken in apocalyptic terms and seems to relish conflict with the West whom he calls the Great Satan. This is while he proclaims he must prepare the world for the coming Mahdi by way of a world totally under Muslim control. He is working hard to bring about the world-wide horrors that must be in place for their al Mahdi to bring peace.



Pertinent Links:

1) How Bush intends to tackle Iran’s challenge

2) “The National Security Strategy of the United States of America”

3) Rice hints at “coalition of the willing” to tackle Iran

4) Appeasement -- It Won't Work This Time by Tony Blankley

5) 12th Imam (Mahdi) Summary

6) Why Iran Has the Upper Hand in the Nuclear Showdown