Posted by
arandomguy on Friday, November 24, 2006 8:57:17 PM
According to the latest reports, Russia has began deliveries of its Tor-M1 air defense rocket system to Iran. This comes from a spokesperson for the Russian Military, which says the shipments began today. This comes of course, as the various world powers are working to try and curb Iran's nuclear enrichment activities. This also comes after the US pressed Russia to stop the deliveries - obviously to no avail.
According to the Russians, these actions are of no problem to the world, and no danger to anybody, because the rockets are purely defensive in purpose. While the rockets are intended to be for defensive purposes, the knowledge of how the rockets work will be beneficial to Iran for its offensive weapons program - particularly the development of a nuclear delivery device.
This is perfect proof that Russia will not be convinced to support sanctions on Iran. The sanctions against Iran - despite being good for the world - will hurt Russia, and we can't expect the self-satisfying Russian government - becoming increasingly tyrannical under Putin - to pursue actions that go against their national self-interest.
What the Russian's do not realize, is they are "westernized" enough by the jihadists to be considered enemies. They are not stopping the terrorists from targeting them, merely postponing the inevitable. This illustrates a resounding difference between the United States and Russia. Sanctions against Iran would hurt us too. Oil prices would go through the roof, and there would be a massive outcry by the American left wing if we pursued the type of harsh sanctions I support. But the United State is willing to pursue these sanctions because we realize two very important facts.
First, appeasing the jihadists will not pacify them. It will give them more power, and a new sense of strength. It will also just postpone the inevitable - full scale jihadist war against the United States.
Second, we realize that supporting harsh sanctions against Iran will benefit both the world, and by connection the United States. Having a nuclear armed Iran is in nobody's best interest, including the United States'. So, though the sanctions would hurt us economically in the short term, doing it in the long term would greatly benefit the United States, and particularly our national security.
That the Russian government is too stupid to understand what is in its security interest would not normally be a problem for me. I don't particularly care what kind of holes the Russians dig themselves in - just like I don't particularly care what kind of holes other nations dig themselves in - UNLESS those holes directly effect the national security of this country.
And by giving Iran weapons, they are acting counter to all US efforts to curb Iran and force them to abandon their nuclear weapons programs. Yet the Russian's don't care, because they are too d@mn dumb to understand what they need to do in order to stop the jihadists.
I hope the United States does not make the same mistake.