Middle East News
Obama updates military plans for Iran
May 22, 2009, 16:41 GMT
Washington - The Pentagon has updated its plans for using military force against Iran at the request of President Barack Obama, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.
The United States has not ruled out the possibility of a military strike if diplomacy fails to resolve the international dispute over Iran's nuclear activities, Gates said.
'Presidents always ask their military to have a range of contingency plans available to them,' Gates told NBC television. 'And all I would say is that, as a result of our dialogue with the president, we've refreshed our plans and all options are on the table.'
Obama has strongly backed the diplomatic effort to rein in Iran's nuclear programme and is exploring ways to break with past American policies and open up one-on-one discussions with Tehran.
Obama said 30 years of trying to isolate Iran have failed to prevent the country from pursuing nuclear technology the West suspects is intended to develop an atomic bomb. Iran says its uranium enrichment programme is solely for meeting energy needs.
During a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Obama said that he would expect a positive response to his diplomatic overtures by the end of the year. Obama also said he will pursue tougher international sanctions if Iran does not comply with UN demands regarding its nuclear ambitions.
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Older Talkback
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SP drops his pants and grabs his ankles.
Is Obama naive or extremely radical? What is his hidden agenda? What does he NOT understand about Ahmadinejad being truly evil and completely nuts, believing the 12th Imam is living in a well, for crying out loud, and is waiting for Iran to blow up the world in order to appear? I was fascinated when watching the press conference after the meeting between Netanyahu and Obama to see Obama not looking directly at Netanyahu while making his absurd little remarks and seeing Netanyahu giving him the eagle eye stare. It was priceless! When a man can't look you in the eye while talking to you, there is a distinct feeling of dishonesty about his remarks. I truly believe that Obama will hold off coming to the aid of Israel until he is forced to do so by the opinions of the American people. Obama is flying high on an ego trip and can't stay in Washington too long. He has to get out among the people, taking his teleprompters, to once again hear the cheers of adulation ringing in his ears. His arrogance needs must have this in order for him to exist. If those cheers cease, then he is going to have to stop and re-examine his position in order to regain the adulation on which he feeds. It is truly scary to think of this man at the helm of the most powerful nation in the world. It is also scary to contemplate that he has put us on a path to self-destruct so that we cannot be of help to anyone, should the need arise. In a few more years, we will very possibly not be able to help ourselves.
Obama will be the downfall of the United States. When he officially withdraws America's support of Israel he will curse this country. He was raised a muslim but will claim whatever religion will get him the result he wants at the time. He claims Christianity but supports abortion. He claims Islam but probably doesn't really understand what Islam teaches. Next he'll be Buddhist so he can get some free sushi from Japan. Obama's a chameleon and a snake.
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SP4: Once Again...May 22nd, 2009 - 17:00:38
...the pig dresses like the farmer...
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