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Iran’s Friends Fend Off Action at the U.N. Security Council: Here’s Why

The Bush administration’s efforts to mobilize an international coalition to dissuade Iran from continuing its nuclear weapons efforts by threatening sanctions at the U.N. Security Council have run into stiff opposition from Russia and China. It is not difficult to see why.



Iran has cultivated close relations with Moscow and Beijing to counterbalance its increasingly tense relations with the United States and Europe. Russia and China not only provide Iran with diplomatic protection at the U.N. Security Council, where both enjoy veto power, but they also sell Tehran most of its modern military weapons—and they assist Iran’s nuclear power program, which masks Iran’s efforts to attain a nuclear weapons capability.



For Russia and China, Iran is an attractive partner for economic, strategic, and geopolitical reasons. Iran has become an important market for their exports of arms and advanced technology, a useful check on Western influence in the Middle East, a potential ally against the United States, and a growing source of energy cooperation, especially Chinese oil and gas imports. Strategically, Moscow and Beijing have also asked the Tehran to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), an expanding Central Asian quasi-alliance that includes regional powers China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.



The Chinese Connection

Iran is now the third-largest oil supplier to China’s oil-thirsty economy. Moreover, China is investing nearly $100 billion in developing Iranian oil and gas fields. By some estimates, Iran will provide China with over 250 million tons of natural gas and 150,000 barrels of crude oil per day over the next 30 years.

Iran buys Chinese conventional weapons, including anti-ship cruise missiles, sophisticated naval mines, and anti-tank missiles, as well as technology and equipment for WMDs and ballistic missiles, such as missile control/guidance systems, chemical-weapon precursors and nuclear materials and technology.

Iran is also a commercial cash cow for China. Chinese firms are building Tehran's billion-dollar subway system, and Beijing plans to invest over $200 million to help finance a new highway connecting Tehran to the Caspian Sea coast. Other projects also are in the works.

Iran also serves as a useful ally for Beijing by distracting Washington from China’s military buildup, obstructing U.S. efforts to build a stable democracy in Iraq, and supporting terrorist groups opposed to peace with Israel, such as Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Hamas,. Iran’s disruptive influence undermines American efforts to build a stable, peaceful Middle East, while the People's Republic increases its influence in Asia, Africa and even Latin America.

The Russian Connection

Moscow, which sought close relations with Iran during the Soviet era, has continued to build close military, trade, and diplomatic ties since the fall of the communist empire. Russia has sold Iran billions of dollars of tanks, armored personnel carriers, warplanes, missiles, submarines and other military equipment. Between 1994 and 2004, Russia sold Iran more than $2.7 billion in arms, the equivalent of 68 percent of its total arms imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. China was second to Russia in arms sales, providing 18 percent of Iran’s arms imports.



Just last December, Russia agreed to sell Iran another $1 billion in arms, including $700 million worth of advanced surface-to-air missiles (SAM), the TOR-M1. Each TOR unit is capable of tracking 48 targets and firing at two targets at the same time. Once deployed, these SAMs could pose a deadly threat to aircraft involved in any strike against Iranian targets, including the high-value nuclear-related sites at Bushehr, Natanz, Arak and Isfahan. In October 2005, Russia launched Iran’s first satellite, which is capable of taking photographs that could provide valuable military intelligence.



Russia also has greatly aided Iran’s nuclear program. It is training Iranian nuclear technicians and is building Iran’s $1 billion nuclear reactor at Bushehr. Tehran has expressed interest in many more reactors, which could become a further lucrative boost for the Russian nuclear industry.


Given the cozy relationship Iran has developed with Russia and China, it is little surprise that both have acted to protect Iran from adverse consequences at the U.N. Security Council. They have worked to delay, dilute, and block effective sanctions and have bought Tehran valuable time to work unhindered on its nuclear program.

The United States and its European allies have resolutely pushed for stronger action at the Security Council, but ultimately may have to settle for little more than a diplomatic slap on the wrist for Iran’s continuing violations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA safeguards agreement.

Other Partners

For that reason the Bush Administration has begun to explore the option of imposing sanctions outside the U.N. framework by working with European allies, Japan, and other countries that seek a more effective response to Iran’s outlaw nuclear weapons program. But a quick glance at Iran’s top trading partners indicates that some U.S. friends may not welcome warmly such sanctions.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/wm1071.cfm

Israel will attack Iran or vice versa, and Russia and China will send troops. Lets see how long it will be until a draft is the only option...

   

The picture is from World Net Daily, should you decide to do something radical and actually follow up on a link. Any awards for Photoshopping can be sent to their "Contact Us" link.

I said nothing about drafting Canadians, but what you 'educated' people fail to realize when cheerleading the war in the Middle east, is that our leaders have got Iran and Syria in their sights. Iran wants to attack Israel. Israel wants to attack Iran. Russia and China are outspoken allies of Iran. Do you really think the US and a few Brits are going to be any match against China and Russia? Us Canadians will be called to help out our 'friends', and with record low conscription rates and less people signing up when they turn 18, a draft will be the only answer.

   

Buddy, you have been here for 16 days, and you think you know something about me? Get a life you tin hat moron. Who sits on their computer and searches for the most random let alone retarded crap? Clearly you.

Oh and tell me where I have said these.
I don't agree with a lot of US foreign policy actually. And since when am I popular? Go hang the rest of those coat hangers up in your room, it will stop the evil rays.

   

Quit life now, it seems you are going to lose anyway.

   

We have given up on your web research conji.



You do realize this is Canadaka right? The first 6 letters there ought to give you an idea where the majority of the folks here come from.



Supporting Israel's right to exist and the freedom of the Iraqi and Afgahni peoples is cheerleading?



We are going to attack Syria and Iran? Damnit no one tells me anything.
Waiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit a minute!!! Would not the new world order stop this?

PS China is more concerned with Most Favourable Trading status with the US than either Iran or Syria.

   

Those replying are not the intended demographic.

Until its war with Terrorism, then you give your undying support like a 'good soldier'. Dont ask questions, just shoot. Chain of Command is a cop-out to a reasoning mind.



Yet its still the way you chose to waste your time...Im flattered. Interesting how the rest of the site has agreed to let you speak for them.










See I can ignore your replies, but you just cant stop yourself can you?



And satisfy a brainwashed Northern Yokel like you, never. Im clinging to life just waiting to see what poorly written sentance you come up with next.

   

So fighting terrorists is bad? Yeah, a guy running at me with 15 stick of dynamite stapped to his chest and a big button in his hand, I am gonna go "Hey, not to be a jerk, but.....uh...are you a terrorist?"

   

What are you implying there?

   

The rest of the site conji? Nah Mustang and I are on a schedule with ya. It was my turn.

Supporting a war on terror is wrong? You agree with the terrorists then? Good, we finally have position from you that does not involve tin hats.

This is ignoring my posts? You don't ignore my posts, you just refuse to answer them in any kind of intelligent manner.

Hey Hwacker, you have a title now as well!! It must be a title, conji bothered to capitalize it and all. Wonder how he knows you live north of him. The new world order must have told him.

   

Hwacker wrote it, and the response was for him, the implications are open-ended, make your own assumptions.

Im really tired of having people jump all over me for what I believe. Canada is founded on the idea of respecting others opinions. I may not agree with everyone here as is obvious, but it doesnt mean I disrespect you. I will lash back when attacked, its human nature. What I detest is people who think that just because I believe something different, that my entire world view is distorted. I am just an average guy, who enjoys the topics most people wont give a chance to. That doesnt invalidate my opinions on other matters.

I feel fortunate that I live in a country as free as Canada where I can come online and TRY to discuss things that in other countries, people are imprisoned for even discussing them. I chose to exercise that right, and for it, I am persecuted for asking questions, my intelligence is assumed due to what people THINK they can read into my posts. I didnt come here to make friends, nor did I come here to make enemies with my fellow countrymen.

I dont like being sucked into arguments which are only continuing so that those involved can get a rise out of someone else.

So I apologize for my part in slandering anyone in retaliation. I dont expect any apology back.

I look into this info simply because I want to be prepared to do what was done to gain our freedom again if the need should ever arise.

Throughout history, governments have murdered their own people en-masse. I believe that IT IS POSSIBLE that some of our own trusted leaders are prepared to sell us out to save their own ass, and I'll be damned if I will let the country I love and the family and friends I have become collateral damage because of a bunch of environmental globalists who say that the human race is a disease and they want to kill 90% of us.

   

Conji, part of being free is being able to have an opinion, but other people are free to jump all over it if they wish. It is a two way street.

   

Obviously, but I wont be replying to people who try and jump at me with insults simply because I believe in a POSSIBILITY anymore. Its all fun and games to join in when the mob has a victim, but in this case, you dont have me underneath trampling feet and I can refuse to respond whenever I want.

I dont insult the intelligence of a poster simply for believing the mainstream media, because I USED TO BE THERE MYSELF. Short of Mustang, few have wanted to discuss, most slander, and the debates arent done in a fair manner, as those who make an explination for one point assume the debate is over after only addressing one or two points.

I will absorb the responses I dont like, and I understand people right to say anything, Im just informing them not to expect anymore rises out of me except what they say to each other. I will continue to post what I feel to be articles containing possibilities which need discussion.
I will continue to respond to those who reply with substance. As for the name calling and slinging of insinuations, I gracefully decline from allowing myself to be drawn into it.

I will however stick up for myself.

I have been posting on Forums since 2000, and I dont need any advice on how they operate. I respect this forum and the Moderators and Administrators for their obvious dedication to protect free speech. Alot of what I have posted here gets deleted from other similar forums.

   

Rabble don't count.

   

Firstly, you do create some of your own problems. You Xerox others’ stuff (usually without any independent commentary) and when called on it, you do nothing. This isn’t a debate or dialogue insomuch as it’s your personal bulletin board – if that’s your goal, then you should expect some challenges to the manner in which you post.

You can certainly ignore whatever response you see fit – that’ s your prerogative, but the optics regarding such tactics makes you appear dodgy. I’ve witnessed you avoid direct evidence that dispels your suppositions and while you rationalize that, it still appears disingenuous. Refuse away, but to expect people to remain silent while you avoid concrete information is somewhat naïve



If the poster acts unintelligently then they’re fair game. People that use crappy research skills, form inadequate and erroneous conclusions and push silly agendas are not above critism.



You don’t want to discuss – you want to disseminate other’s work. Moreover, you dodge with aplomb (hardly a fair tactic), avoid contradictory evidence and rarely concede points. I’m not sure you’ve earned any privilege that allows you to chastise others on posting etiquette.



So, this is an official announcement of the dissemination policy?



So, you’ll broadcast other’s polemics and avoid the damaging rebuttals?



Again, this smells a lot like pre-dodging. But for the “name calling and slinging of insinuations” maybe you could develop a thicker hide? This is, after all, the Internet, and you are posting some rather insidious and contentious issues, so don’t you think you’re being a tad naïve and unrealistic?



Good



I fully respect CKA’s posting policies as well. If you are here to debate, then, by all means, welcome. If you are here to simply propagate an agenda and expect it to go unchallenged, then you’ve misread the posting community here.

   

Well then moron, you should post in the right forums. You've posted in US/Canadian Relations which only leads me to believe you have a hidden agenda but don't have enough facts on your own to defend it. Yet you've seen it fit to call others dumb.......?

   

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