With North Korea, Iran Talks Faltering, Bush Is Poised to Leave Behind Two Nuclear Challenges
Last-ditch diplomacy might not prevent the next president from facing two new active nuclear foes
In North Korea, recent moves have included barring IAEA inspectors and removing seals and surveillance equipment from the nuclear complex at Yongbyon. The North appears to be moving toward a resumption of plutonium reprocessing, perhaps in a matter of days. South Korea has also reported signs of repair work being done at North Korea's nuclear test site.
That could all be a concerted effort at classic North Korean brinkmanship—aimed at cutting (or recutting) a hard bargain. The timing—as the Bush administration focuses on a distracting financial crisis—is also reminiscent of North Korea playing tough as the White House focused on a looming war in Iraq.
But, analysts worry, it could also be a sign of the North swerving toward a harder-line posture amid reports that the country's leader, Kim Jong Il, may have suffered a stroke in August and could be partially incapacitated. The long-building dispute over getting North Korea to agree to intrusive inspections could be bursting forth just as the secretive regime is dealing with leadership uncertainties.
As for Iran, Ahmadinejad used his media-heavy stay in New York to reaffirm his government's defiance. "Using the language of force has no effect on the Iranian people," he said. "As far as we're concerned, the nuclear issue is resolved."
Reader Comments
Israel will strike Iran and U.S will provide support.
This is what I believe would happen in the remaining weeks of Bush's term in office.
1. Few weeks before the US election Israel will strike Iran's nuclear facilities.
2. Bush will have no choice but to defend Israel from Iran.
3. McCain takes lead over Obama in the polls.
4. Americans will forget about the state of the economy and vote McCain as President to deal with this mess.
That’s the only way McCain can win in November.
Israel will decide time & place
when and if a military option is used and there will be little President Obama will be able to do when the time comes. If you review Iran's statements over the past 2-3 years, you will see a country full committed to meeting whatever ends it seeks and there is no diplomacy in the world that will stop them from acquiring the bomb if that's what they seek. In time, it will be shown that the only option besides containment will be a limited military strike, which will only slow down but not stop Iran's nuclear program. The question is by how much and then to what extent will they strike back against Iran, the US and the west in general.
Bush made himself and his family tremendously more wealthy. He never handles a problem, just like when he was AWOL from the Guard, the Guard from which he would never see battle. Bush doesn't care. He will leave all the problems for John McCain to clean up. And I do trust McCain much more than Obama or Biden. Obama and Bush are just alike. Neither willing to really fight. Biden and Cheney are just alike, too. They had so many deferments I lost count.
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