Comments on: What is the Iran connection?

By: Wellington Nunu Phil

Wellington Nunu Phil — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:49:02 +0000

If people look deeply at iran they will see a country that don't know where they going. When a killer wants to kill do they give warning shots.
Iran is a loudness man in a room, The one that is scared in the room is always loud. The World has so many way to cut iran off from the World. Everyone had seen them trying weapon when no one doing anything to them.
They are threaten other people and putting people in fear. The whole World is talking peace and you testing weapon to do what? Is time for the United Nations to step in and control the situations before it get out of hand. America do not get involve in any war the arab world is using this to send this country broke.
Let America show to Iran that it care about iran citizens. Iran wants to make scrafy of it citizens and you know this is the way terroist get their way through. America think about those innocent people in iran they will die because of one fool.
America show JAH LOVE, I'm not a english major I'm a Afircan major.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:19:20 +0000

What's the Iraq connection perhaps? Iran will certainly link up with it at some stage on any strategic map?I just know that if Govt and Business do not do something to subsidise workers soon, that no one will go to work, mark my words by the end of the year, friction and talk is already in the air...

By: John Bangkok

John Bangkok — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:33:48 +0000

Of course the cost of gas is going to be US$6.00/gal. How do you expect the US to pay for stabilizing Iraq? On the bright side at least the US Military does not have to pay US consumer prices for there fuel.

By: J.V.hodgson

J.V.hodgson — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:36:31 +0000

Dear Mr Gergen,
Sorry the oil price issue between the US and Iran ( or other oil producing counties Iraq etc etc) is an "EFFECT" of other far more important anomalies and certainly not the CAUSE .
The whole Middle eastern balance of power is the major cause, plus perhaps and certainly much less so the supply and demand arising thru China and other so called BRICS for Oil and maybe exacerbated by hedge fund speculators. We have at least 20 years.
When will the US political establishment recognise that while Israel is both a Nuclear power( funded and given by America) and 110% supported by the your politicians, both parties and militarily by supplying modern warfare technology, is what is behind Irans non cooperation on Nuclear issues and pusuance of it's self defence ( missiles). And also why Palestinians moderate? Fatah and Hamas extremists are fighting against Israel. Add to this the "pre-emptive" strike against Iraq on false grounds and global Islamic jihad erupts.
You want to avoid $8 a gallon or total loss of international respect the US especially and the International community had better start talking to people including Hamas, get out of Iraq, and
allow people and governments anywhere to freely follow thier religion and method of governance as per your the US constitution, bill of rights and respect thier "sovereign immunity".
Invest the $900bn at least you spend on the Iraq war within the US to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and non oil technology and hello a new globally unwarmed environmentally friendly and peaceful world, within 20 years.
Idealism, I think not, realism yes.
Hodgson.

By: michael

michael — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:43:05 +0000

what id like to know is what is the international law on nuclear energy and weapons. who is allowed to have them and who is not and why. has the iranian govt. done something unlawful or does the international comm. just not want the iranians govt to have nuclear energy or weapons. i thought that they had a legal right under some treaty that they signed which would allowe them to have nuclear energy and be monitored. please someone tell me what irans legal rights are under international law that they have agreed to.

By: Jules

Jules — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:28:39 +0000

I do appologise for my last statement. I keep refering to the USA when realy I should be just refering to Bush and his cronies.

On the other hand, WHO VOTED HIM IN ?

McCain will just continue to make matters worse and Obama is just hot air, you guys are at risk of making matters worse not better.

The only person who would have made a difference is Clinton. The world was such a safe place when Clinton was there before. As soon as he went and Bush took over, look what happened. WAR WAR WAR

By: Jules

Jules — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:06:48 +0000

I cannot understand some people at all.
Iran has been threatened by Israel and the USA for years. Israel is always testing its weapons and flaunts their neuclear power given to them by the USA. The USA and Israel are partners against Iran.
Iran is not allowed to have a fellow supporter (according to their enemies) but of course they have, and rightly so. They also have a right to defend themselves against agressors such as Israel and the USA. They also, like everyone else have the right to test their weapons, as everyone else does.
Leave them alone, they have only become a threat because they have been threatened.

Whats wrong with you people, the WORLD is at war because the USA are paranoid about everyone they have threatened over the past few years. Bush is a bigger dictator than Hussain was but everyone is fooled into thinking there is a democracy.

STOP Israel building in land that is not theirs, stop Israel from attacking their enemies just because they can get away with it and everything will settle. STOP JUST PRODDING THE FIRE cos it will get worse.

By: Chris in Mayland

Chris in Mayland — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:02:01 +0000

Let's get a grip about Iran from a world perspective and stop being so myopic. Why is it a major crisis when Iran tests some missiles and their military men talk about being on guard to defend their country? They are a sovereign nation and have every right to protect themselves and provide a national defense. Nothing is ever said about our missiles aimed at every perceived threat, our big stick diplomacy and bullying tactics that have created animosity and hatred around the world. If we clean up our own act in this country, things will go much better globally. Why is Iran accused of playing cowboy politics? We invented the game and invaded a country and destroyed its culture and economy for the sake of a threat that didn't exist. Is there any country who shouldn't be concerned with the record of "diplomacy" we have?

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:58:36 +0000

Let's get a grip about Iran from a world perspective and stop being so myopic. Why is it a major crisis when Iran tests some missles and their military men talk about being on guard to defend their country? They are sovereign nation and have every right to protect themselves and provide a national defense. Nothing is ever said about our missiles aimed at every perceived threat, our big stick diplomacy and bullying tactics that have created animosity and hatred around the world. If we clean up our own act in this country, things will go much better globally. Why is Iran accused of playing cowboy politics? We invented the game and invaded a country and destroyed its culture and economy for the sake of a threat that didn't exist. Is there any country who shouldn't be concerned with the record of "diplomacy" we have?

By: Altina Smith Flordia

Altina Smith Flordia — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:54:18 +0000

We need to focus on this country that's the real threat we act like a we are afarid of this contry we went to war with Iraq and the didn'[t have any wepaons the yet this man calls our presidents out his name and tells us he want stop making missile and even fires a couple whats we still have not found the man who touch us on our soil and killed all those americans we are losing our homes and jobs and the only on getting rich is the oil field owners We need some young fresh meat in office with no ties to the oli monies so we can stright our face and stand tall get our people out of Iraq and get rrady to face the real threat If I was the president I would have to step to Iran and let them know it's a wrap and we can go toe to toe blow for blow Because this country don't play Bro

By: Tom from San Diego

Tom from San Diego — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:50:44 +0000

Consider where you think we would be today if either of the current Presidential candidates (or current President for that matter) had been president in place of JFK during the Cuban Missle crisis. Kruschev had proclaimed "We will bury you", and Russian missles were being readied to launch only 100 miles from the US.

We should not be naive about the true purposes of other world powers who may think very differently than we do, but still it comes down to whether the principle of diplomatic influence is just for the deluded.

By: vern from philly

vern from philly — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:14:01 +0000

IRAN wants what we all want ..peace and stability in the world, yea he might have said what he said about Israel, but look at the facts, look at what israel is about look at how they aquire their land.....by force they are doing exactly what happened to the native americans.....kill all and take their land and live upon a lie......1948 was the starting of israel and look how they went about it? forcefully.....is that right......is living on an occupied territory right...does occupied territory sound right come on wake up people........stop letting tyranny run ya life....war on terror is a bunch of bull because the terrorist is the current administration in office and Isreal as we speak.....Stop the violence!!!!!

By: Sunday Obikoya

Sunday Obikoya — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:12:12 +0000

I just hope everybody will calm down and take a step back cause the only reason i think the iranians are taking this step is because they feel their security is threatened, mind you, likewise the isrealis. That is why i think that dialogue is the only only way forward, baring this i think the only thing remaining is the abyss. The world needs leaders who are "rational and not irrational"

By: Sabrina in Los Angeles

Sabrina in Los Angeles — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:47:41 +0000

We need to get away from oil.

They show their military muscle and the gas prices go back up.

By: Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL

Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:41:03 +0000

So Iraq will give contracts for oil to most of the oil companies now that Saddam is not around anymore huh? And now we see the real reason Bush went in and got rid of Saddam.............I knew it had nothing to do with him caring about the welfare of the people.............oil. oil, oil..............must be worth over 4,000 Am soldiers lives huh Bush?

By: Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL

Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:35:54 +0000

Groups such as ICE are speculating the commodity markets and running up oil and gas. It isn't a matter of supply and demand.

Jan............that is very interesting and makes a lot of sense. I wondered about the Iraq govt and their oil fields. And, why doesn't the USA govt nationalize their oil prospects? Why do we need the oil companies anyway? Let's drill our own oil and leave them out of it..............

By: JC- Los Angeles

JC- Los Angeles — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:06:09 +0000

I just returned from Tobago where gas costs $0.50 a liter; here in Los Angeles, it costs roughly $5 gallon. Although we all can learn a lot from the wonderful people of Tobago, it seems a bit farfetched to think infrastructure would be at the top of the list. Closer to home, gas in Mexico is half the price of gas in Los Angeles. I find the supply and demand argument non-plausible. With Obama asking for $5 donations to attend his acceptance speech at a Denver football stadium and with say two gallons of gas required to drive to and from the stadium, my calculations suggest it will cost $15 to fawn over Obama. Our leaders have failed us in every conceivable way and fail to grasp the enormity of the problem. It seems a bit odd to have just celebrated Independence Day when in fact we live Dependence Day each and every day. The American people deserve an apology from our failed leaders, politicians and executives. I'm hopeful a leader with vision will emerge someday, get this country back on its feet and give us reason to truly celebrate an Independence Day.

By: jes from Canada

jes from Canada — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:00:42 +0000

Hi David, What do you think, is the USA being kicked out of Iraq just in time to attack Iran? Sadly the situation in Afghanistan is getting worse every day. This is one more war the USA has started that they can't finish. Please tell us if you think this mess can be cleaned up before more Canadian soldiers are killed.

By: MARTIN

MARTIN — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:59:26 +0000

on a more serious note iran is already facing a strong military prsence not mention if you go through the white house documents slowly it says were already at war with iran and have been for almost 5months to 1year now

By: Pat

Pat — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:56:16 +0000

Hi David:

I believe it is because of the constant threats this Administration, I mean the President and Vice have put on Iran that has initiated such an untrusting, disrespectful relationship between the two.

This Administration needs to stop using threats and ultimatiums against other Nations to achieve their desires. I believe an Administration truly interested in achieving peace would employ communication as a first negotiator not threats. Of course we all know this Administration is certainly not interested in Peace, Iraq bears the proof. George and Dick need to go now, not November. They are on the brink of starting something not even the Collective Nations of the World will put out!