From what i've read in the news, I get that Russia and China have decent relations with Iran due to their need for oil from Iran. If the U.S. were to attack, this obviously would disrupt Russia and Chinas source. What would keep either country from backing Iran to protect what I would think to be a vital source to both countries. What does America have to bargain with politically/financially?
204663
Fear would deter them from getting into such a conflict. And the US would have to ensure those countries their oil supply.
264841
First of all the US has never threatened war with Iran.\n\nWe have never threatened military action.\n\nAll of the 'threats' are being made by people who do not speak for the US government.  The truth of the matter is that every nation wants the US to resolve the Iran problem militarily - but does not want to be seen as supporting that action.\n\nSad that you did not catch this.
640819
We are leaving it up to the Chinese and Japan to deal with North Korea. we will play a meek role in the situation. It will be handled. The sleeping giant of China is an economic gladiator about to wake up. It is in they're economic interest to handle the situation. We will handle Iran with the UN at the forefront this time. By sealing there borders and fend off Muslim extremist while heavy sanction laden the Iranian government. It will fall from within after some surgical bombing is done at the right time.
289930
Good question. It's just harassment and Russia isn't going along with the program. Do you think George Bush could screw up 60 years of negotiations with the cold war with Iran? I do.
581890
It's a good thing if we can monitor and help proliferate thier nuclear activities so they remain for energy only, not weapons.  Aiding Iran in this way could lead to future partnerships between our nations, and it sends a positive message to other countries about our ability to act diplomatically.\n\nIt's an important move symbolically, for our national security, and possibly a good business move.
49427
It's delicate. My guess is that Iran will take Russia's offer for enrichment at least for now. I'm quite sure their research will go on, which means sooner or later someone's gonna call their bluff and then it won't matter whether they've been onest about the purpose of their program.\nThe sad thing is Iran still has the NPT and international law on it's side since none of the accusers managed to prove its program is -not- entirely civilian. \nWar right now would be damn inconvenient for US since to most neutral countries it will appear and incessant bullying and some might rally behind Iran, Syria and Venezuela.\nUS can't exploit Iraq oil just yet. Of course US companies will be preffered for drilling and/or refining Iraq oil but they have to wait for the situation in Iraq and give the appearance of elections.
142518
I'd worry about Iran first.  They will have nukes and they are crazy.\n\nDon't get me wrong, what China does is not right, but if we wanted to wage war against oppression, there is a looooonngg list of countries around the world we have to deal with.  China is only the largest of the bunch.  It is also the dumbest one to offend.  You don't want to rattle the cage of a sleeping dragon of a billion people.  Our economies are so inexorably linked as well, it'd be very, very bad for our economy if we were to hurt our ties with them.\n\nChina is also unique in the sense that they were essentially regressing both socially, economically, and technologically during the Mao years.  That's the better half of a century where one of the largest countries in the world sits still while the rest of the world is moving forward at breakneck speed. Now, they must, in their eyes at whatever cost, modernize to catch up for the last fifty years of stagnation.\n\nStill, we can increase indirect pressures on them, and force our businesses to be more stringent in deals with the Chinese.  However, we can only do so little. Doing good just doesn't seem as righteous when it ends up biting you in the rear with a ton more bad.
104459
If iran is heading for Nuclear power,then the reason is basically to start thinking of ways to produce alternate energy.They know it very well that Oil is not gonna stay there forever and now is the time,though already late but not too late,to start initiating a different source.And,its also to notice that<u just cant use the nuclear energy instantly,u have go through all the tests that goes on for years finally b4 you are actually using the product commercially.US has its own reserve of oil which is biiiig as well,but they prefer to finish off the reserve of the rest of the world first with its monopoly themes and will start rigging full fledged then.Imposing a threat alarm on Iran is nothing but gathering the world opinion to go for a war and start selling stock pile of new weapons and buying oil from Iran with lower price when UN imposes sanction after the first stage of battle finishes.US has created the environment just like the british did when they were the masters of the universe.
156381
Russian and China will either abstain or diplomatically stall this process in the Security Council. This may be a victory for Iran. While we are sitting here in the U.S. the politics of international affairs is presenting a different angle. A different tune is being drummed in the Middle East and Asia. It's being hoped by Iran and Pakistan that China will silently stall or veto in the Security Council. \n\nBoth Iran and China have historic ties to China. The only country which may be hoping for a security council action would be India. India would dare not interfere in Iran, Pakistan and China's affairs. If you are uncertain about this, please look this up in some history text book or encyclopedia.\n\nEvents are more complicated than they appear and Iran knows that it can stall this process. Relations between the U.S. and Russia aren't all that peachy as well. The last think the United States wants is military action. This will be a colossal mistake in the history of American foreign policy, much worse than Vietnam or Iraq. Iran has a much older history and roots its pride back to Alexander and the Persian Empire. They do not like to be told what to do and how to do it. The only people who can or should be talking to them is Pakistan and China because of close historic ties.\n\nThe Bush administration needs to get Pakistan involved in this diplomatic effort. Iran does not have decent relations with China, it has a "strong" relationship with it.\n\nThe west needs to look at Iran from a different angle because if a wrong step is taken, there will be a major moslem uprising in the Middle East. They will perceive it as a war against Islam. The effects will be felt all across Europe and North America. \n\nThe only group of people who will say "No" are Americans. They think that economics will trump eastern philosophy, culture, history and domestic politics.\n\nKeep this good discussion rolling!
328778
I wish to give u example of Russia in Afghanistan. Russia was the supper power but failed on having hold on Afghanistan, the reason was that ppl in Afghanistan were not happy of staying russian forces in Afghanistan. And finally succeded to kick Russians out of Afghanistan.\n Same American forces will face in Iran, cause almost every Iranian either Millitary or Civilians will fight agaist American forces and they are ready at any moment to secrifize their lifes for their country.(That's y they r not afraid of US or Israel)\n America is feeling denger from Iran the reason is that CIA don't have enough approach in Iran, and Iran is the only country always protesting against the wrong deciesion of American Government.
305809
dude ...\n\nread between the lines and this goes for all of you ;)\ni`ve put this in another answer in here \nwhat energy source should the iranian have?!\nwill UE/NATO/ONU help then with eolian power for all the country ? oil? that al flows in the us!!!!\nthink of sollutions for the people .. in the middle east .. there are countries . with people just like us ...\nthose are not armed countries .. with people that want to conquer the world!!!\nthe iranian got pissed `cause they DO NOT HAVE ENERGY SOURCES in the country and the nuclear energy is the optimal one for them..\n\nthink about it!\n\n*sorry .. i understand german .. but forgot a lot and cannot write it anymore that well .;)
150236
Yes I think they will.\nAll countires act in their best interest.  Which is what the USA are doing at the moment.\nRussia and China would not support sanctions on Iran as it is seriously bad for their economies.  China is particularly reliant on Iranian Oil & Gas.
24528
I'm not going to turn this into an anti or pro Bush diatribe (personally, I'm indifferent to him), but the Iran situation is indeed very serious, and it is not just Bush that thinks so.  France, Germany and Britain have been working on this for many years.  China and Russia are stake holders.  Even the Australia Group has issued an opinion.  What you're observing is simply more attention being paid to the matter by the media (don't forget the European Union has been working on this seriously since at least 2000, even before September 11).  Iran clearly wants nuclear weapons and has made overt threats to use them, which escalates the situation above a mere arms race.  Further, Iran has not been transparent with the program, which is a direct violation of an international treaty which the country signed on its own accord.  However, when the EU-3 first noticed that Iran had broken the treaty and bought the issue to international attention, the Iranians suddenly became indignant -- essentially casting asside an agreeement they had made with civilized society.   However, now the attention of the world's citizens is on Iran, I hope that the same level heads that have been working 'behind the scenes' continue to prevail.
456264
China is not Americas enemy, but its bastard offspring. It is a competitor, not an enemy. America made the rules on Global Capitalism, and cannot take the ball home now because some other team is winning. China will be more powerful than the USA. The USA is already letting it.\n\nUS Senator Bernie Saunders wrote a few years ago that Free Trade ( whatever that is supposed to be) meant that Americas biggest export was, JOBS. Every American firm now is under pressure to shut its plant in the US and reopen in China. It may make business sence for a few years, the company is richer, but soon the USA will be the shell of an empire, a crumbling has been. It is at that point that a country gets dangerous, open to extremists and open to warmongers. It is then that in some last didtch attemt to keep the US a world power they will create the situation that will cause a war. But remember China is no longer an ideolgical enemy, it is simply doing capitalism bigger stronger and harsher than the USA.\n\nIf trouble is to be averted western socities must realise that it is best to keep jobs at home, pay a bit more for products and not support Chinese sweatshops.\n\nAs for Islam, that is a religion, not an enemy and only extreme US rightwingers will make them an enemy. For years Islamic countries have been friends with the USA,  ie Saudi Arabia/ Kuwait/ Dubai etc because trade links and a love of money unites them.  Some regimes that are very oppressive the US is happy to trade with and sell arms to , occaisionally it falls out with them. I have though yet to see President Bush telling the Saudis to become democratatic, respect freedom, respect womens rights, respect tolerance etc. Why not! because the oil they have makes presidents soon forget the domestic policies of any country they are dealong with. Again, what should be done? Well how about an honest foreign policy based on mutual needs , co-operation and a movememnt towards democracy etc in all countries, not just the ones the US forces it on.
219797
I think Bush has already decided to bomb Iran to prevent them from making a nuclear bomb.  Bombing Iran would cause World War III because China and Russia will go against the U.S. and we could all get nuked...)(
85050
I don't see anything happening over Iran too soon.  Any US president would be insane to start a war with Iran and should be sent to a psychiatric facility immediately.  The EU and NATO definitely won't do anything to piss the Iranians off, Iran has missiles that are within range of their countries.  The UN doesnt have the balls to do anything either (plus you have Russia and China who'll oppose a lot on the Security Council).  Frankly, I think Israel is the only one who can be counted on to do anything at all--which in their case is going to be military action.  That, sadly, is going to drag us (the U.S.), if not Europe, in as well.
650216
soon, it definitely depends on Iran - if Iran does not comply and keeps going for nuclear weapons, we will be invading Iran for sure.  \n\nNear-term Iran, However I think China down the road may be WWIII if there ever is one.