A UN General Assembly resolution calling for a nuclear-weapons free Middle East passed last week on - Polidicks

[url]http://nationalinterest.org/blog/paul-pillar/inconsistent-treatment-middle-eastern-nuclear-programs-11808[/url] [QUOTE] The resolution in question this time endorsed the creation of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East and called on Israel to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, to renounce any possession of nuclear weapons, and to put its nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. A nuclear weapons-free Middle East and universal adherence to the nonproliferation treaty are supposedly U.S. policy objectives, and have been for many years. So why did the United States oppose the resolution? According to the U.S. representative's statement in earlier debate, the resolution "fails to meet the fundamental tests of fairness and balance. It confines itself to expressions of concern about the activities of a single country." Singling out one country in a multilateral context can indeed cause problems. The resolution the General Assembly passed this week need not involve a problem, however, since it was not calling for differential treatment of anyone—only for Israel to get with the same program as any state in the Middle East that does not have nukes and adheres to the international nuclear control regime. Iran, by contrast, is being treated much differently from anyone else. Tehran already has acquiesced to some of that differential treatment, but Iranians unsurprisingly wonder why Iran should be subjected to more such treatment, or indeed to any of it. They wonder, for example, why Iran should be subject to unique restrictions that several other non-nuclear-weapons states that also are parties to the nonproliferation treaty and enrich their own uranium are not. [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]and called on Israel to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, to renounce any possession of nuclear weapons, and to put its nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.[/QUOTE] No other country there is being asked for this. Such as Iran.

What will they do if Israel refuses?

Friggin' Palau! Always flexing their superpower muscles & strutting around like they own the world!

[QUOTE=itisjuly;46670463]What will they do if Israel refuses?[/QUOTE] Nothing. What can you do. They're effectively untouchable

[QUOTE=darunner;46670456]No other country there is being asked for this. Such as Iran.[/QUOTE] Isn't Iran already a part of the treaty? They have arguably less nuclear weapons than most who sign onto the treaty. Either way, if this passes EVERYONE needs to heed by it.

[QUOTE=Thomo_UK;46670482]Nothing. What can you do. They're effectively untouchable[/QUOTE] This kind of viewpoint keeps them untouchable. Stop thinking that way.

[QUOTE=ZombieWaffle;46670637]This kind of viewpoint keeps them untouchable. Stop thinking that way.[/QUOTE] So what are we going to do, declare war on them? No, we're not, so we can't really do anything.

[QUOTE=darunner;46670456]No other country there is being asked for this. Such as Iran.[/QUOTE] According to [URL="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NPT_parties.svg"]this[/URL] Iran ratified the treaty and Israel is non-signatory.

And Israel is backed by the states, regardless of the sanctions.

I lol'd. What, exactly, do supporters of this pipe dream think will happen with the thousands of armageddons' worth of nuclear weapons just lounging around? They don't magically go 'poof' just because a treaty got signed.

[QUOTE=TestECull;46670851]I lol'd. What, exactly, do supporters of this pipe dream think will happen with the thousands of armageddons' worth of nuclear weapons just lounging around? They don't magically go 'poof' just because a treaty got signed.[/QUOTE] I imagine they would fetch a great price on the market

[QUOTE=darunner;46670456]No other country there is being asked for this. Such as Iran.[/QUOTE] i'm guessing since iran is already at the negotiating table, bringing israel under the NNPT would be a big gesture on our part, though we voted against it so i guess not, though if things continue to sour with them, this is a big threat to them if they proceed with their whole 2-class system they're proposing right now as for iran, having their leaders successively call for the nuclear-fires to burn away israel from the face of the planet might have something to do with the international community being leery of them

[QUOTE=TestECull;46670851]I lol'd. What, exactly, do supporters of this pipe dream think will happen with the thousands of armageddons' worth of nuclear weapons just lounging around? They don't magically go 'poof' just because a treaty got signed.[/QUOTE] Ideally they'd be systematically dismantled and rendered unusable worldwide over a decade or two or three or however long it takes. Realistically, with global politics being the way it is right now, I find this scenario unlikely. But I sincerely hope I'm wrong.

So really, it's just US, Canada, US, Israel, and US.. Given the other two are essentially US.

[QUOTE=ZombieWaffle;46670637]This kind of viewpoint keeps them untouchable. Stop thinking that way.[/QUOTE] No Israel having nuclear weapons keeps them untouchable. What are you going to do about it? Invade Israel? Nuke Jerusalem?

[QUOTE=TestECull;46670851]I lol'd. What, exactly, do supporters of this pipe dream think will happen with the thousands of armageddons' worth of nuclear weapons just lounging around? They don't magically go 'poof' just because a treaty got signed.[/QUOTE] Have Superman throw 'em at the sun. Without asking for permission.

[QUOTE=DaCommie1;46670791]So what are we going to do, declare war on them? No, we're not, so we can't really do anything.[/QUOTE] We can stop sucking their dicks. Seriously - why do we put up with so much shit from Israel and [I]still[/i] help them. No military aid, no political aid, no humanitarian aid, trade embargo on all military items, kick their diplomats out of our counties and close their embassies until they stop acting up.

Micronesia and Palau are pretty much owned by the US so no surprises there. I'm also not surprised at Israel, the greatest ally of the US, but i'm surprised at Canada.

[QUOTE=Flapadar;46671036]We can stop sucking their dicks. Seriously - why do we put up with so much shit from Israel and [I]still[/i] help them. No military aid, no political aid, no humanitarian aid, trade embargo on all military items, kick their diplomats out of our counties and close their embassies until they stop acting up.[/QUOTE] Because then we'd have absolutely no allies whatsoever in the middle east.

[QUOTE=DaCommie1;46671079]Because then we'd have absolutely no allies whatsoever in the middle east.[/QUOTE] I'd rather have no allies there and leave them all be than sponsor state operated genocide by a power hungry country whose sense of self importance is far too large

[QUOTE=Flapadar;46671106]I'd rather have no allies there and leave them all be than sponsor state operated genocide by a power hungry country whose sense of self importance is far too large[/QUOTE] You realize, of course, that means the wholesale massacre of 8.24 million people because they worship the wrong God, right?

[QUOTE=darunner;46671158]You realize, of course, that means the wholesale massacre of 8.24 million people because they worship the wrong God, right?[/QUOTE] You're exaggerating. A few extremists shooting rockets won't kill the whole population of Israel. Palestine isn't sending their army in to massacre Israel civilians. Its Israel that's doing that to Palestine - for fucks sake they've been using [url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/20/israel-using-flechette-shells-in-gaza]anti personnel weaponry [/URL][b]banned by the Geneva convention [/b] in residential areas of Palestine.

[QUOTE=Flapadar;46671183]You're exaggerating. A few extremists shooting rockets won't kill the whole population of Israel. Palestine isn't sending their army in to massacre Israel civilians. Its Israel that's doing that to Palestine - for fucks sake they've been using [url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/20/israel-using-flechette-shells-in-gaza]anti personnel weaponry [/URL][b]banned by the Geneva convention [/b] in residential areas of Palestine.[/QUOTE] If Israel somehow stops everything to do against Palestine, they will just keep shooting rockets at Israel.

[QUOTE=DJrorok;46671234]If Israel somehow stops everything to do against Palestine, they will just keep shooting rockets at Israel.[/QUOTE] Simple solution. Keep the border nice and big instead of expanding towards them and expecting them to move. Kill anyone who comes close enough with a rocket launcher. Innocent people don't die that way. Don't forget - for every innocent person Israel slaughters, theyve got a good number of family members who want revenge. Its simply not sustainable for israel to continue their aggressive resolution attempts.

[QUOTE=Flapadar;46671183]You're exaggerating. A few extremists shooting rockets won't kill the whole population of Israel. Palestine isn't sending their army in to massacre Israel civilians. Its Israel that's doing that to Palestine - for fucks sake they've been using [url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/20/israel-using-flechette-shells-in-gaza]anti personnel weaponry [/URL][b]banned by the Geneva convention [/b] in residential areas of Palestine.[/QUOTE] No, he's not. Every country around Israel hates them, and if not for the US would declare war and attempt to obliterate them in a massive genocide. They tried it in the '60s, and because of the US' help, Israel kicked all their asses. However, without the US' help, Israel would have its entire population slaughtered by various Arab nations after invading. It would also lead to Israel nuking several countries as they began losing the war, like Iran and Egypt.

[QUOTE=DaCommie1;46671302]No, he's not. Every country around Israel hates them, and if not for the US would declare war and attempt to obliterate them in a massive genocide. They tried it in the '60s, and because of the US' help, Israel kicked all their asses. However, without the US' help, Israel would have its entire population slaughtered by various Arab nations after invading. It would also lead to Israel nuking several countries as they began losing the war, like Iran and Egypt.[/QUOTE] Doesn't this just back up the point that its stupid to allow them to have nukes?

[QUOTE=Flapadar;46671318]Doesn't this just back up the point that its stupid to allow them to have nukes?[/QUOTE] No, because those nukes are what keeps those Arab nations from attacking them regardless of US involvement. If we took away those nukes now, even with American aide, they'd declare war on Israel. They'd just be more likely to take their chances with a nuclear armed country without the idea of having to face one of the largest and most well-equipped military forces in the world as well.

[QUOTE=DaCommie1;46671387]No, because those nukes are what keeps those Arab nations from attacking them regardless of US involvement. If we took away those nukes now, even with American aide, they'd declare war on Israel. They'd just be more likely to take their chances with a nuclear armed country without the idea of having to face one of the largest and most well-equipped military forces in the world as well.[/QUOTE] So you're saying you would prefer all out nuclear war - over Israel protecting itself with normal means?

[QUOTE=Flapadar;46671424]So you're saying you would prefer all out nuclear war - over Israel protecting itself with normal means?[/QUOTE] You take away those nukes and pull support, what's going to protect Israel? The entire population would be killed by the surrounding countries. Those nukes are what keeps them from being slaughtered. If giving a country nukes keeps 8 million people alive, I'd say that's not so bad.