'Neuter' Iran over nukes, U.S. senator tells Halifax security conference

[Prometheus Bound]

Source: Canadian Press

'Neuter' Iran over nukes, U.S. senator tells Halifax security conference
6/11/2010 3:00 PM
HALIFAX - A U.S. senator says his country should be prepared to launch a military attack on Iran that would "neuter" the hardline regime.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says he hopes such an attack would destroy Iran's ability to fight back and allow its people to rise up.

Graham has stunned attendees at a major international security conference in Halifax, saying that such an attack could cripple Iran's nuclear program as well as its armed forces.

Read more: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/neuter-iran-over-nukes-us-senator-tells-halifax-security-conference-106824038.html

---

US senator sees 'confrontation' with China, war with Iran
by Michel Comte Michel Comte – 2 hrs 22 mins ago

HALIFAX, Canada (AFP) – The United States faces a possible war with Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions and a "period of confrontation" with China over its currency, a top US lawmaker warned Saturday.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said his fellow conservative, fresh from their historic elections romp this week, support "bold" action to deal with Iran.

If President Barack Obama "decides to be tough with Iran beyond sanctions, I think he is going to feel a lot of Republican support for the idea that we cannot let Iran develop a nuclear weapon," he told the Halifax International Security Forum.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101106/pl_afp/canadanatodefensesummitusiranchina

US senator wants war on Iran
Sat Nov 6, 2010 7:3PM

After the Republicans gained control of the House, GOP Senator Lindsey Graham has urged Washington to "destroy" the Islamic Republic through military action.

“Not to just neutralize their nuclear program, but to sink their navy, destroy their air force and deliver a decisive blow to the Revolutionary Guard, in other words neuter that regime," Graham said on Saturday
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/149901.html

[Jefferson23]

1. Oh goodie, the assholes back in power waste no time seeking war. n/t

[mindcough]

4. While I agree that most repubes are war mongering fools

don't forget that Obama himself even pushes the Iran war agenda.

“The threats to Israel’s security… an Iranian regime that sponsors terrorism, pursues nuclear weapons and threatens Israel’s existence” (US Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, 23 July 2008)

[Jefferson23]

5. Obama said he is going to/desires to neuter Iran? I think you're

confused.

[mindcough]

6. Well, I agree we are lucky enough to have a leader who doesn't throw "war" words around

but Obama better start making moves if he wants to prevent such a war from occurring. You must be under a rock if you don't think Obama is fitting the Iran-war agenda.

Obama threatens Iran
6 August 2010

At a White House briefing Wednesday, President Obama personally joined the growing chorus of war threats against Iran coming from Washington and its allies.

Recent threats include remarks from US Defense Secretary Gates, who argued against “another war in the Middle East” in 2008, but stated last month that the US does “not accept the idea of Iran having nuclear weapons.” Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said it was “still time for sanctions,” but that “at a certain point, we should realize that sanctions cannot work.”

It was against this backdrop that the White House called in selected journalists for a press briefing on Iran. They reportedly discovered only after arriving that the “briefer” at this apparently routine event was none other than the president himself.

Obama’s purpose was to deliver a blunt warning to the Iranian government: it could either surrender to US demands that it abandon its nuclear program, or face US attack.

Obama said that Iranian officials “should know what they can say ‘yes’ to.” If “national pride” drove Iran to develop nuclear weapons, Obama continued, “they will bear the costs of that.” He said “all options” were open, in order to “prevent a nuclear arms race in the region and to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.”

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/aug2010/pers-a06.shtml

[Jefferson23]

7. I'm not under any rock, and as I said, I think you're confused if you

believe Obama will consider anything even close to what Lindsey is attempting to do.

Lindsey is pushing a fear, we need war agenda to make Obama look weak despite what he knows Obama has already said
on the subject.

[24601]

35. Not neuter Iran - but neuter Iran's nuclear development.. The

President hasn't taken anything off the table has he? If not, it's still on.

[Jefferson23]

42. The conversation is about Lindsey taking this fear/war mongering to

a completely different level..in case you missed it.

[BlueMTexpat]

2. "Neuter" Lindsey Graham instead ... it would be a lot wiser! nt

[Posteritatis]

3. My city hosts the nicest people sometimes, I swear... argh. (nt)

[Tx4obama]

8. Lindsey Graham Makes The Case For Strike On Iran

Source: AP (via HuffPo)

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- A leading U.S. senator on defense issues says any military strike on Iran to stop its nuclear program must also strive to take out Iran's military capability.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who sits on the Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee, said Saturday the U.S. should consider sinking the Iranian navy, destroying its air force and delivering a decisive blow to the Revolutionary Guard.

He says they should neuter the regime, destroy its ability to fight back and hope Iranians will take a chance to take back their government.

His remarks stunned many in the audience at the Halifax International Security forum.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/06/lindsey-graham-calls-for-strike-on-iran_n_779997.html

---

Everyone better vote the republicans out of office in 2012 - otherwise the wars will never end !!!

[NYMdaveNYI]

9. I smell a warmonger. nt

[Dogmudgeon]

10. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!

Okay, Lindsey might be a Republican, but I'm not used to him being a flaming psycho.

The agreement Iran has with Russia makes it extremely tough to produce bomb material. It's crazy talk.

--d!

[Scruffy1]

26. Reppublican =flaming psycho

I've been watching this proto nazifor years. The media seems to want to paint him as sane, but he"s as nuts as any.

[napi21]

11. OH for God sake! We can't afford the two damn wars

we're already in & this AH wants to start another one??????????????? What the hell is wrong with him?

[dflprincess]

14. I'm sure the Republicans will insist this one be "pay as you go"

:sarcasm:

[napi21]

15. And RAISE TAXES???? Are you kidding me? nt

[SugarShack]

18. you mean THREE wars?

[Samantha]

12. I for one hope the Republicans keep talking and hanging themselves

publicly to bring some voters who cast ballots for them to their senses (if at all possible.)

Sam

[CLANG]

13. Little Lindsey wants to play army again

:patriot:

[PaDUer]

22. Then send Lindsey over...

to fight it instead of sitting on his a$$ and stuffing his pockets.

[Ter]

16. Hopefully, Tea leader Rand Paul will filibuster this with the Democrats

He is not in support of a war with Iran.

[jimlup]

17. The repukes are indeed barking mad!

Idiots! What worries me is that this is probably a trial balloon on Graham's part and may have been initiated by the newly power drunk repuklian leadership.

[Irritable Liberal]

19. He also wants to start a trade war with China

but only after we borrow a trillion or so to pay for the invasion of Iran. And he's supposed to be one of the more reasonable and moderate Republicans. War has apparently been declared on Sanity and Sanity is losing.

[grahamhgreen]

29. Ending slave trade with China good. Wars for profit bad.

[beac]

20. Headline should read:

Lindsey Graham Scared Shitless of Getting Primaried By Teabaggers


Hey Lindsey, we liberals couldn't care less that you're gay and we just want you to be happy. I'd like to make a case for you coming out of the damn closet and stop taking the frustration of your repressed homosexuality out on America by trying to act like some hyper-testosteronized badass, okay?



*edited for typo

[Grassy Knoll]

21. Is he .......

A Dreidel or Caboose ?

[rasputin1952]

23. What an asshole...the R's goty us into huge messes that can't be won

and he wants to start another conflict!

Hey Graham, "man up and join up, go fight your friggin' war you coward.

[deacon]

24. And the drumbeat begins. n/t

[JDPriestly]

25. If the Republicans get their way, the wars will end - with a huge loss

by us. Because they will keep attacking one country after the other until our country has just ruined itself.

[jtuck004]

27. And should you doubt our qualifications for certifying that we are experts in such matters,

we present our record in Iraq. Or Afghanistan.

If you have ANY doubts about our veracity on this, any hesitation that things won't be world's better
after we bomb the crap out of them, just look at our good work in the above two countries.

Share and enjoy, that's our motto.

[snot]

28. Am I only the 2d to rec this?

[avaistheone1]

30. Lindsay Graham!

Please get back on your meds. You are a freaking danger to yourself and to others.

:hide:

[PurityOfEssence]

31. Hey, he's one of the MODERATE Republicans

Maybe someone reminded them that Congress is who actually declares war...

[Arrowhead2k1]

32. Cut taxes, engage in more warfare!

Fucking Republicans have it all figured out.

[FlyByNight]

33. Perpetual war for perpetual peace

Looks like Dave Broder and Lindsey are on the same bloody page, eh? Just more Republican't psychopathy; they simply have no shame. MICC uber alles!

Of course, Lindsey didn't mention the money, resources and legal justification (not that the Empire needs "legal justification") that would be required for yet another Middle East bloodbath. Not to mention, the nascent democracy movement would be extinguished (not the US has ever been interested in that regarding Iran).

I think Lindsey and Dave are the ones who should be neutered.

:puke:

[madokie]

34. screw lindsey graham

every which way from sunday. What a piece of work that piece of shit is

[24601]

36. Yes, a Senator actually willing to work across party lies is SUCH

an disgrace. Fuck the motherfucker - he sets a bad example!

[madokie]

37. r u nuts

graham does not do reach arounds

Add: after re reading what you typed I'm not sure I even understand what the hell you're saying

[Strelnikov_]

38. An attack on Iran could result in the collapse of the US

The Iran attack has been marketed to the US populace as another 'shock and awe' event in that there may be some loss of US military, but overall it carries a risk similar to that of the attack on Iraq.

Problem is, there is a scenario where an attack on Iran could result in the collapse of the United States economy. The resultant violence and starvation could result in the deaths of millions.

My estimate of the current script the 'actors' are using is as follows:

- The US (neocons) or Israel conduct 'limited' airstrikes on Iran, hitting mostly military and 'nuclear' sites.

- Iran (Supreme Leader/Assembly of Experts) know that the US/Israel cannot invade, and the air strikes will have to be 'limited' in nature to avoid a backlash in the Muslim world. They plan on playing this like Hizbollah in '06. That is, take the strikes, respond militarily in a very measured way as a show of resistance, and promote themselves as having resisted the 'crusaders' attack, thus making them the rightful leaders of the Ummah.

Problem is, war tends to go off script (WW I was to be over 'before the leaves fall', Iraq II, etc.).

All it would take is for a US naval commander or Revolutionary Guard officer to go off script (overreact) to trigger a conflict that would knock half of the worlds petroleum export capacity off-line essentially overnight.

The Kaiser, the Czar, the Habsburgs etc. did not survive the conflagration they started. Can the US 'leadership' be next?

[Strelnikov_]

39. Part 1 - Operation Muah'dib

He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing - Muah'dib

All data 2005.

- The Persian Gulf represents nearly 50% of the worlds petroleum export market.

- The vast majority of this resource passes through 8 to 10 major facilities (one facility in KSA alone processes 60% of its petroleum, you know, starts with a ‘A’).

- If Iran is attacked in such a way as to threaten the continuity of the regime, they could use their substantial missile inventory in taking out these facilities (I do not believe they will target Israel, as it would have no strategic purpose, and is out of range, whereas targeting the gulf energy infrastructure would strike a mortal blow against the attacking western economies, in particular the US, as I discuss below).

- The US imports ~ 12.4 Mbbl/dy (60% of total consumption) of petroleum which represents around 29% of the worlds petroleum export market.

- Of the next largest petroleum importers (Japan 5.2, China 3.1, Germany 2.4, South Korea 2.2, France 1.9) most have substantial dollar reserves and are significant exporters of finished goods. Basically, we will be outbid on much of what remains of the worlds petroleum export market post attack, as these countries use their export capacity in finished goods to purchase petroleum from Russia, Nigeria, Norway, and Venezuela.

- In the weeks following destruction of the Persian Gulf oil export market, the US will probably see 2/3rds of its imports sold to higher bidders or embargoed, leaving the US with about 60% of the petroleum supply we had pre-attack.

- Approx. 42% of US petroleum is used for personal transport, 22% for commercial transport (trucks that carry food to the stores, etc.). I will leave it to the reader as to the impact a nearly overnight loss of 40% of the US petroleum supply will have to the economy (not to mention the impact due to the collapse of the petrodollar system).

- Russia, India and China will take a pass. Russia stands to make a fortune. And if all the gulf petroleum goes off line, they become the worlds sole energy superpower. China and India will dig in (as they consume much less petroleum), weather the storm, and emerge in a position to snap up all those production contracts that will no longer go to US multinationals for rebuilding the gulf.

- In conclusion, Iran is not toothless. We can physically destroy the country of Iran. There is a good chance they can destroy our economy and begin the process of petrocollapse, ultimately leading to the destruction of a greatly weakened US in a few decades.

So, who wins?

[Strelnikov_]

40. Part 2 - The Spice Processing Facilities

The following represent ~50% of the worlds petroleum export market. Probably at no time in history has so much critical infrastructure been thus concentrated. Consider the capabilities of modern weapons, and that these facilities would be staffed by an angry populace. Two possible attack vectors, same result.

Abqaiq alone processes 60% of KSA's petroleum.


Dona (Kuwait)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=kuwait&ie=UTF8&ll=29.364822,47.804432&spn=0.106818,0.15295&t=k&z=13&om=1

Mina Al Ahmadi (Kuwait)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=kuwait&ie=UTF8&ll=29.049192,48.148699&spn=0.053574,0.076475&t=k&z=14&om=1

Khiran (Kuwait)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=kuwait&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=28.692169,48.373661&spn=0.053758,0.076475&z=14

Ras Ali Khafji (KSA)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=kuwait&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=28.404613,48.531933&spn=0.053905,0.076475&z=14

Al Jubayl (Ras Tanura Complex) (KSA)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=kuwait&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=27.079303,49.645329&spn=0.10913,0.15295&z=13

Najmah_1 (Ras Tanura Complex) (KSA)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=kuwait&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=26.800171,50.022812&spn=0.109401,0.15295&z=13

Najmah_2 (Ras Tanura Complex) (KSA)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=kuwait&ie=UTF8&t=k&om=1&ll=26.659579,50.128212&spn=0.109536,0.15295&z=13

Abqaiq (KSA)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=abqaiq&sll=25.626669,49.004517&sspn=3.535873,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=25.935045,49.68039&spn=0.027556,0.038238&t=k&z=15&om=1

Ras Laffan (Qatar)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Al+Mubarraz&sll=24.691943,54.497681&sspn=3.563055,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=25.915207,51.588879&spn=0.055121,0.076475&t=k&z=14&om=1

Ruwais (UAE)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Al+Mubarraz&sll=24.691943,54.497681&sspn=3.563055,4.894409&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=24.123882,52.726822&spn=0.112018,0.15295&t=k&z=13&iwloc=addr

Mina Jabal Ali (UAE)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Al+Mubarraz&sll=24.691943,54.497681&sspn=3.563055,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=25.008617,55.059099&spn=0.055537,0.076475&t=k&z=14&om=1

Khawr Fakken (UAE)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Al+Mubarraz&sll=24.691943,54.497681&sspn=3.563055,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=25.310123,56.370077&spn=0.0277,0.038238&t=k&z=15&om=1

Al Qurayyah (UAE)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Al+Mubarraz&sll=24.691943,54.497681&sspn=3.563055,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=25.198922,56.357932&spn=0.027726,0.038238&t=k&z=15&om=1

Al Liwa (UAE)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Al+Mubarraz&sll=24.691943,54.497681&sspn=3.563055,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=24.483634,56.623106&spn=0.055851,0.076475&t=k&z=14&om=1

Mina al Fahl (Oman)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=abqaiq&sll=25.626669,49.004517&sspn=3.535873,4.894409&ie=UTF8&ll=23.602728,58.416388&spn=0.014039,0.019119&t=k&z=16&om=1

[Strelnikov_]

41. Part 3 - The Spice Trade

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/oiltrade.html

All in Mbbl/dy

Top World Oil Net Exporters, 2005

Saudi Arabia 9.1
Russia 6.7
Norway 2.7
Iran 2.6
United Arab Emirates 2.4
Nigeria 2.3
Kuwait 2.3
Venezuela 2.2
Algeria 1.8
Mexico 1.7
Libya 1.5
Iraq 1.3
Angola 1.2
Kazakhstan 1.1
Qatar 1.0

=====

Above represents 39.9 Mbbl/dy of 42 Mbbl/dy world export market
18.7 Mbbl/dy of above in Persian Gulf region

Top World Oil Net Importers, 2005

United States 12.4
Japan 5.2
China 3.1
Germany 2.4
South Korea 2.2
France 1.9
India 1.7
Italy 1.6
Spain 1.6
Taiwan 1.0

Top World Oil Consumers, 2005 (Domestic production in parans.)

United States 20.7 (8.3 - 40%)
China 6.9 (3.8 - 55%)
Japan 5.4 (0.2 - 4%)
Russia 2.8
Germany 2.6
India 2.6
Canada 2.3
Brazil 2.2
Korea, South 2.2
Mexico 2.1
France 2.0
Saudi Arabia 2.0

[yurbud]

43. the Republicans were dead fucking wrong on Iraq. Why should ANYONE listen to their advice on war

again?

[L.Torsalo]

44. He spews forth

a small quantity of moral turpitude. He is emboldened by your people's failure to prosecute Bushmurderer/Cheneymurderer/Rovemurderer, etc. America, how far have you fallen...

[Brother Buzz]

45. Remember when Republicans considered criticizing the President's policies while 'overseas'...

was tantamount to treason?

I'm just saying. :shrug:

[pettypace]

46. Remember all those Dems who voted against Iraq invasion

John Kerry
Hillary Clinton
Joe Biden
Harry Reid
Chuck Schumer

They were all so courageous for their 'no' vote in October 2002.

Thank god all have say on whether to 'Lindsey Graham' all over Iran.