Clinton: A Nuclear Iran Would Spark A Regional Arms Race

Clinton: 'I Can Absolutely Bet' A Nuclear Iran Would Spark A Regional Arms Race -- The Hill

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cautioned that Iran not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, not only because of own intentions, but because she believes it would spur a regional arms race.

"Everybody needs to know — most particularly the Iranians — that we are serious that they cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. It’s not only about Iran and about Iran’s intentions, however one tries to discern them. It’s about the arms race that would take place in the region with such unforeseen consequences," Clinton told Charlie Rose in an interview posted online Thursday and aired on CBS's "This Morning."

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My Comment: I call this a "DUH!" moment.

Saudi Arabia Will Build Nuclear Weapons If Iran Does

Image: (Credit: CBS)

Riyadh Will Build Nuclear Weapons If Iran Gets Them, Saudi Prince Warns -- The Guardian

Prospect of a nuclear conflict in the Middle East is raised by senior diplomat and member of the Saudi ruling family.

A senior Saudi Arabian diplomat and member of the ruling royal family has raised the spectre of nuclear conflict in the Middle East if Iran comes close to developing a nuclear weapon.

Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to Washington, warned senior Nato military officials that the existence of such a device "would compel Saudi Arabia … to pursue policies which could lead to untold and possibly dramatic consequences"

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More News On Saudi Arabia's Intent To Develop Nuclear Weapons If Iran Does

Saudi Arabia Threatens to Build Nukes if Iran Acquires Them -- Global Security Newswire
Saudi Arabia: If Iran builds nukes, so will we -- CBS
If Iran Really Is Testing Nukes, Saudi Officials Say It "Would Be Unacceptable And We Will Have To Follow Suit" -- Business Insider
Saudi will seek nuclear arms if Iran gets them - report -- Reuters
Saudi Arabia will build nukes if Iran does -- Pan Armenian
Tehran tests Saudis' nerve on nuclear weapons -- The Australian

My Comment: The last thing that the Middle East needs right now is a nuclear arms race .... but the groundwork is now being shaped to have such a unfortunately development occur.

Arms Race Continues In The Middle East. U.S. Renews Syria Sanctions

Barack Obama's administration has renewed economic sanctions against Syria. Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Israel Says Hezbollah Missile Buildup Accelerating -- Yahoo News/AFP

JERUSALEM (AFP) – Syria's government routinely ships weapons to Lebanon's Shiite militia Hezbollah in an operation that goes well beyond sporadic smuggling, a top Israeli intelligence officer said on Tuesday.

The head of the military intelligence research department, Brigadier General Yossi Baidatz, told a parliamentary committee that Hezbollah's arsenal included thousands of rockets of all ranges and types, some solid-fuelled.

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More News On The Arms Buildup In The Middle East

Military Intelligence: Hezbollah Scuds tip of iceberg -- Ynet News
U.S. Extends Syrian Sanctions For Another Year -- Global Security Newswire
Obama renews Syria sanctions -- Al Jazeera
U.S. Renews Sanctions Against Syria -- Fox News/AP
Syria warns U.S. on accepting Israel scud claims -- Washington Post/Reuters
Why the Syria-US relationship is likely to remain chilly for some time -- The Guardian

Arabs Go For Air Power To Counter Iran

Royal Saudi Air Force: Tornados (Photo from Defense Talk)

From UPI:

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Arab states, particularly in the Gulf, are seeking to build up their air power and missile defenses to counter any challenger from Iran.

Mostly they're looking to their traditional arms suppliers in the West, the United States, Britain and France, but Russia is pushing hard for a piece of the action.

This year's biennial Dubai air show, which opened Sunday in the United Arab Emirates, provided a showcase for the latest technology on offer.

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My Comment: An arms race is underway in the Middle East, and the only way that the Arab states will be able to counter Iran's heavy investment in missile and nuclear technologies is to have an air force that can counter any Iranian land/naval invasion of the Arabian peninsula.

Clinton’s Leaky ‘Defense Umbrella’

From Small Wars Journal:

Iran’s nuclear program is suddenly receiving a flurry of attention from top Obama administration officials. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Israel today to exchange views on the subject with Ehud Barak, his counterpart. National Security Advisor James Jones will soon arrive in Israel, presumably to discuss the same topic.

Last week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton proposed a U.S. “defense umbrella” over the entire Middle East should Iran fail to cease work on its nuclear complex. Other officials in the Obama administration soon attempted to repeal Clinton’s remarks, while simultaneously implying that some kind of U.S. security umbrella has always been over the Middle East.

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My Comment: A sober assessment from the Small Wars Journal. I also remember what it was like to live under an "umbrella" during the Cold War. It was not a picnic nor a stable time for everyone.

During the 60s, 70s, and 80s I felt confident (most of the time) that the Soviet Union would never launch a nuclear attack against us, but their focus on conventional armies only helped to heighten the fear and worry that an accident and/or mistake could lead us to a nuclear exchange. Fortunately .... that never happened.

In the Middle East, the dynamics are different. To begin, the religious component of martyrdom is present. Also .... Israeli determination to protect themselves .... even launching a preemptive war .... is something that concerns everyone. What they would do if Iran does successfully obtain nuclear weapons .... I can easily picture the worse case scenario.

Pushing the idea of an "umbrella" may appeal to the American public .... but in the Middle East this is a non-starter for the simple reason that everyone knows that this will only heighten tensions, and will probably precipitate an arms race. An event that the Middle East certainly does not need right now.

U.S. Pushes For U.N. Censure Of Iran, Syria On Arms

Following its departure from an Iranian port, the Cypriot-flagged ship Monchegorsk was detained in Limassol, Cyprus in January, above, after U.S. intelligence suggested it was ferrying arms to Syria. EPA

From Wall Street Journal:

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is pushing for a formal censure of Iran and Syria at the United Nations over an arms-smuggling case that U.S. officials see as highlighting the risks that Iranian weapons shipments pose to regional stability.

The move at the U.N. could impede the ability of Iranian shipping firms to deliver arms to militant groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories, U.S. and other Western officials said.

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Update: U.S. Works to Block Arms Shipments to Mideast Militants -- Wall Street Journal

My Comment: On the one hand they are talking about opening a dialogue with Iran .... on the other hand they are censuring them. It is clear that the left hand is not knowing what the right hand is doing.