Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, riled up Washington and Brussels earlier this month by declaring that they shouldn’t try to stop Iran from enriching uranium. The United Nations, prodded by the West, had imposed two sets of sanctions on Tehran for continuing enrichment in defiance of a Security Council resolution passed last July. The second set of sanctions was enacted this March, but Tehran has given no indication that it will halt its nuclear program. In response, Western diplomats are now considering a third set of sanctions. (COMMENTARY’s editor-at-large Norman Podhoretz has weighed in on this predicament, as well.)
ElBaradei stated that the UN demand to halt enrichment “has been superseded by events”—the Iranians have already obtained the necessary technology. The international community, he suggested, should engage the Iranians “in a comprehensive dialogue.” ElBaradei also suggested that Tehran be permitted to keep some elements of an enrichment program.
There are any number of fundamental objections to these comments. The chief of the UN’s nuclear watchdog group should not publicly undermine the acts of the world body. ElBaradei may have been handed humanity’s most coveted award, the Nobel Peace Prize, but he still has an obligation to support the Security Council.
Moreover, his suggested approach—“dialogue”—has been tried since 2002, when Iranian dissidents first disclosed the existence of Tehran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz and Arak. A half-decade of meetings, talks, and discussions has conclusively demonstrated that the country’s leadership is not interested in good faith negotiations. ElBaradei’s comments also establish incentives for destabilizing the world’s arms-control regime. He is effectively saying to nuclearizing rogue states that the IAEA rewards successful defiance of UN prohibitions and sanctions.
In doing so, he also makes war more likely—his comments undercut the force of the UN sanctions. Sanctions may ultimately not disarm the Iranian government, but at this moment they are the last tactic on the road to military action. They are contributing to the already severe woes of the Iranian economy, in the hopes of inducing Ahmadinejad to stop the nuclear program. Western banks are breaking off business ties with the regime, and pressure from Washington is persuading European energy companies to reevaluate investing in Iran.
Sanctions cannot work unless the international community joins together behind them. But Mohamed ElBaradei is standing in the way. He is not giving coercive diplomacy a chance, and if he succeeds in eroding support for still-tougher diplomatic measures, the only way to stop the Iranian mullahs will be war.
Someone should ask Christine Amanpour how many terrorist attacks Israel has launched against Gaza and how many “Palestinians” have died from Israeli terrorist attacks in the last 60 years.
Then again, her name is “Amanpour” and she works for CNN, so what would be the point?
They couldn’t pay me to watch her. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
Did the United States “overreact” in killing thousands (and thousands) of Japanese after the Pearl Harbor invasion when (app.) 2500 Americans were killed. Go Israel, go.
Noah, You did a terrific job on Fox today.
Oh….Is she still out there?….I don’t know anyone who watches her……..or CNN.
CNN is very pro-Palestine – no matter who is in charge. As a former CNN junkie I can tell you that all the pathos and the sympathy and the chest beating is for the suffering in Palestine.
They are disproportionate in their angst. Israeli families living in daily terror and fear are nothing to them.
Christiane and Karl Penhaul, among many others, will try to assure that tears are shed for the “poor, helpless, civilians of Gaza.” The Israelis? To the CNN crew, the only answer is – pheh!
America needs to rise up and vanquish our biased and terror supporting media.
…perhaps her husband might be able to enlighten here as to the historical facts…
I can’t believe they would compare the effectiveness of the weapons rather than their context. Muslims were the aggressors, the Jews have a duty to respond. Amanpour would have made a great Nazi propagandist.
To #8 – “Amanpour would have made a great Nazi propagandist.”
WOULD have made?
I fail to see any fundamental difference between Hamas and Nazis.
Hamas is trying to make nice with Israel for some time now. On a day to day basis Hamas has shared its erratic homemade rockets with Israel’s civilian population. They make nice with the sharing and what does Hamas get for their making nice? A swift kick in the keester. This is a crazy world we have!
After waffling over several different posts, Andrew Sullivan has finally dropped all pretense of “objectivity,” and comes right out out and states that it’s virtually all Israel’s fault; they have overreacted in a totally disproportionate manner, and essentially are just like their US neocon slimey brethern in the US.
CNN is antisemitic, don’t you know it? In fact, everybody is antisemitic except for Commentary, the AIPAC Bund and the gang that runs Israel.
Poster number 12 failed to note that John Hartland is an idiot.
Funny.
“Disproportionate Force,” when wielded by non-Jews, is called the Powell Doctrine.
The only question left now is this one: Will the AIPAC fifth column traitors chisel Congress into paying the cost of this Israeli war like they did with the Lebanon war of 2006?
Just look at this for “fair and balanced” reporting (via electronicintifada.net)
“The truce Hamas had meticulously upheld was shattered when Israel attacked Gaza, killing six Palestinians, as The Guardian reported on 5 November. A blatant disregard for the facts, it seems, will not leave the White House with George W. Bush on 20 January.”
What a joke!
How they meticulously upheld the truce!?!!???? I swear I am living in bizzaro world!
So Christiane is giving advice on how much death and suffering you should be willing to endure in order to keep the favor of the media? I can answer that one: none – the media IS the enemy, and anyone that doesn’t understand that is a dangerous fool.
She’s married to a Joo, right? That’s supposed to give her gravitas.
# 8) Amanpour IS a great Nazi propagandist.
(You don’t need to thank me for fixing it!)
Good Commentary, but there is one thing alluded to here that needs to be spoken aloud. Do we judge conflicts only by the casualties? I mean, yes there were only 2-8 Israelis killed by Hamas in 2008, but isn’t that only because Hamas isn’t very good a warfare? Didn’t they WISH to kill more Israelis? It’s like someone who tries to murder someone else. Does it not count if the murder doesn’t take place? Isn’t that what we call “attempted murder?” 7000 rocket attacks since 2005 from Hamas tells me that they really wanted that number of dead to be “proportional.” Just because they are unable to make that happen makes Israel the bad guy?
I don’t get it.
Hopefully the IDF will drown Hamas like a litter of unwanted kittens. Christiane Riefenstahl-Amanpour can have a field day whining about dead Islamist terrorists.
I thought Kathy Griffin was the “new face of CNN”
annihilation and complete surrender of the enemy is the only true victory Isreal should not stop until Hamas is completely wiped out if they pull up short and let Hamas survive Israel will get what it deserves THE MEDIA IS THE ENEMY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christine Amanpour has been trying out as the Muslim spokesperson disguised as a reporter her entire shameful career. She should remember who drove her Muslim family out of Iran – it was the Ayatollah, not the Christians or the Baha’i or the Jews.
Please remember it is not just anti-semitisim – she was anti-Serbian, and pro-Muslim in the war in Bosnia and should have been fired on the spot for her lies in that war. Her lie about who bombed a café there followed up by her justifying her lack of objectivity in the conflict is maleficence.
Thank goodness the New Media – like this blog – exists. CNN may not hold her accountable but we can hold CNN accountable & not watch it – ever.
the question when comparing the power and capability of Israel with that of Hamas (and in effect, the Palestinians) is – who is the reasonable group that one can negoitiate and work with and has a rather good human rights record? From this information, we can then divine who we should back –
Personally, I hope Isreal wipes Hamas and the Palestinians off the map, turns their power to the Iranians, the Syrians, the Jordanians, and in some effect, the Egyptians and asks, “any questions”
Sadly, the world has fallen down a rabbit-hole where morality has been turned upside down. Ignore the inevitable lies and twisted truths of CNN and BBC. Instead of listening to them, say a prayer for the safety of Israel’s brave soldiers who are not only defending their country, but also fighting an enemy that wishes all Jews dead and brazenly tells the world so: “The Day of Judgement will not come until Moslems fight the Jews [killing the Jews], when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.” (Article 7, Hamas Covenant).
Israel has gotten exactly what it wanted with Hamas. That group might as well be an Israeli creation. If they hadn’t existed, Israel would’ve invented them. They serve Israel’s purposes well.
The fact is: Amanpour and CNN are Ainti-Israel! ‘nough said!
Get the background and real news at these links. You folks need it.
http://www.counterpunch.org/
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/
http://www.juancole.com/
Yes, #28, anyone who doesn’t goose-step the entire Israel line is an antisemite. See, this is what happens when you only show one side. The demands from people like you just keep escalating.
Ah, yes, the irreality-based community has shown up! BTW did you ‘non-Nazis’ (John Fartland and Butt Crick, that is) know that Stormfront and Jewwatch.com are in need of bloggers? Does that trouble you that your BS is believed by folks like that?
http://www.jewwatch.com/
Hartland, you’re obsessed. And perhaps a bit paranoid.
But then, what do I know, I’m part of the Bund, and spend most of my time trying to get into your bank account.
The argument about disproportionate force is stupid. Does any reasonable person really think that the numbers of Israelis dead and injured would not be higher if the Hamas terorists had access to smart baombs and laser-guided missles? Give me a break! If they could aim their missles better and carry warheads they would target schools, temples, hospitals, and other venues that had high numbers of civilians in them.
If you really want proportionate force then Israel could just line up their least effective mortars armed with anti-personel HE rounds and fire them indiscriminately at the rate of 2-50 rounds per day every day. They might not get the terorists and would for sure get the civilians but it would be proportionate and might satisfy CNN and the BBC. (Take tongue out of cheek.) Geesh! the stupidity of the liberal left and the media is astounding!
I don’t get the whole Christiana Ammanpour thing, anyway. If she is a brain-dead, Arab sympathizing hack, she could at least be attractive.
Instead, we have her fugly mug on the screen without any redeeming qualities. A big wonder why people watch Fox News instead.
I love her hairdo, though. It’s like the same ‘do I saw on the kids that smoke in the high school parking lot in 1982.
The hairdo!! Ilike your style Benno. You know the rest of the world gets it’s inspiration from the USA and they are mostly about a year behind the times. Christiana is funning all over the world and has gotten stuck in the past. LOL
John Hartland/Brown,
don’t you have some pamphlets to distribute? Maybe you could provide a link to your insane website.
Sig heil!
I’m a Catholic and I don’ like Amampour either. Always ripping on the Pope and the Church, or at least biased. She’s a lib, that’s for damn sure. Then again, it’s CNN, the “Clinton News Network.”
cnn international is even more anti israel then cnn usa. its educational and disgusting to compare the two.
i meant was nauseating
interesting that athose who scorn Hartland simply ignore the haaretz article he links to. I’d like to see someone attempt to refute the substance of that article showing the many ways Israel has – consciously or stupidly – strengthened Hamas.
Get the Hamas propaganda at these links.
Fixed that for for #29.
I am confuse as to who is a Hamas, and who is not a Hamas, as much as I am confuse about who is an Israeli, and who is a Jew. I just figure it out. There are no difference. So when tonight the IDF moved into Gaza and Killed between 20 and 30 Hamas fighters, they killed 20 and 30 Palestinians. Now that there in,how they going to get out, and If they do get out, they going to leave Palestinians behind ” I hope”. Therefore they will leave Hamas behind. Than, what they have accomplish. Nothing. And all those palestinians and Jews that died in this conflict, died for nothing. They should have stopped it while they were ahead.
CNN has long lost any credibility. Their journalistic integrity rate is somewhere between the National Enquire and US Magazine. they should stick to the hard hitting articles on Obama’s favorite recipes. Go Israel – We are behind you 100%
Well, the Communist News Network was full of people who hoped that GW Bush would “fail”, hence take some delight behind the scenes that the economy is still under the guidance of “Bush” even though it really is Congress who made the laws that caused us to get to where we are. Nobody so far on the right has wished Obama to “fail” that I’ve heard of. The right wants the U.S.A. to succeed no matter who’s in charge. Just how many bombs/airplanes loaded with fanatics does it take to create a response? In the USA only 4, in Israel 6,000+. A proportinate response has yet to be achieved by Israel.
C A is rather a bore and a bleeding heart closseted supporter of Hamas, it’s always Israel’s fault after all these years of being bombarded by rockets by Hamas. The woman has become deranged and as predictable as the rest of the left wing MSM.
Yawns again.
CNN’s ratings began to collapse when it adopted its so-called “international” outlook, which in practice meant refusing to differentiate between the views and terrorists and tyrants and the nations that oppose them. Its track record on Israel is particularly abysmal. In its early days it reported on Israel almost every fifteen minutes. It once reported that Isreal was responsible for the 1967 war, then corrected it a few weeks later without fanfare. Its lineup once included Pat Buchanon, Jesse Jackson and Evans and Novack on in the same afternoon. Amanpour’s reporting is typically worthless.
She’d change her tune if someone kept firing missiles at her, even if she was assured that most would miss her.
Amanpour and journalist in the same sentence is like compairing
Dog turds with horse turns, they both stink
The comment by Christine Amanpour that “only” 2 Israeli citizens have been killed by Hamas rockets makes me wonder how many deaths or rockets have to occur before Israel is allowed to respond. Is the number more than 10?, more than 100?, more than a 1000? Hopefully, Ms. Amanpour with her vast wealth of knowledge and experience can answer this question.
To John Hartland: Please go and spew your CNN talking points on a blog that is more favorable to your liberal views, O.K.? You’ll be a hero over there.
Amanpour or Amanhour?
Israel should just keep pounding until they surrender. Go Israel.
And Israel should also start to bomb those funeral processions led by those Hamas leaders.
Amanpour is a narcisstic fascist. Her Jew hatred is surpassed only by her incompetence as a reporter. I don’t know who is a bigger Jew hater though- Amanpour or that trollop Lara Logan who sits at Katie Couric’s feet at CBS.
Hamas wasn’t prepared for Israel to strike. They were resting on the laurels of Hezbollah’s standoff with the IDF in Lebanon some months back— treating that as a decisive military victory when in effect it was a default by Israel’s high command.
Israel will continue to alter the course of history in the region. In a little over 60 years now look what the Nation has accomplished and contributed to the world. End the Arab scourge in Gaza they will. And the so-called “palestinian people” should toss their so-called leaders out with their throats cut as a message to the Arab “street” that they no longer want to be pawns in an unwinnable siege against the indomitable and indefatigable Spirit that is the Nation of Israel.
Kick more Arab butt.
Bear1909 out.
It’s about damn time! Tough love for spoiled brats who believe they can bomb, bomb and bomb again without retribution from a sovereign nation. Suck it up, cowards, and quit whining. And screw the UN. Isn’t it about time we moved that whole ridiculous mess to France where it more properly belongs. I’m sick of the world’s grand, effete poseurs and their diplomatic immunities, living large off the fat of American largesse, while spitting on the very hospitality that allows them to do so; and their constant ass-braying about “non-proportional reponse” when the outcome of retaliation against terrorist acts doesn’t conform to their world view of the way things are “supposed to be”. As for the terrorists (you know, the certifiably insane who TARGET the innocents among us, either out of tribal hatreds or for their glorious religious jhads), kill ‘em all! Don’t stop till they drop…………Go Israel!
The Palestinins have had to put up with the Zionist jews for over 40 years. It is time for the Arab nations to join together and drive the war mongering Zionist into the sea. It is a fact that these Zionist are not real jews as they came from all over but mostly from Russia and the real jews do not believe that this is the will of God. The Balflor treaty was the reason for their existance not God.
It would all end if the ‘anti-Zionists’ would take care of themselves and end this obsession with Israel. Their hatred has given them poverty, squalor, disease, and a future for their children as bleak as their past.
I have been disgusted with Amanpour for many years. Her lies about the Serbs were part of it. No, I am not a Serb or even of European ancestry. When CNN did their mockumentary on Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, they contended a moral equivalency that doesn’t exist. When is the last time a presbyterian or Catholic highjacked an airliner? When did a Jew strap on a suicide belt and destroy either Christian or Moslems? In nearly all the global conflicts currently going on, there is a common denominator-Islam. See Darfur, Somalia, Algeria, the bombings in Spain and Britain and the US. Take a look at the Phillippines or even western China. I seldom side with the Red Chinese but can certainly understand their concerns about their Moslem minority.
Islam is the only major religion that has never undergone some sort of reformation. The Jews did it and abandoned proselytizing. It took Christians some fifteen or so centuries to become civil to each other, much less than to non-Christians. The Moslems have existed a bit under 1400 years and perhaps in a few centuries may become civilised.
With regard to Islamic learning and culture; one must remember that the Eastern Roman Empire existed into the mid 15th century. Much of the ancient learning that was not preserved in the West was preserved in Constantinople. As pieces of Roman imperial lands were taken by Moslems, they had the gift of centuries of “infidel” learning from Greeks, Romans and the rest of classical antiquity. Even “Arabic” numerals have been found to have originated among Hindus with whom the Moslems came into contact. Very little of so-called “Islamic learning” was original with Moslems. The bulk was borrowed or stolen from earlier and more civilised cultures.
The net result is that Moslems are centuries to millenia behind Hindus, Buddhists, Confucianists, Jews and Christians in their level of civilisation. If and when their society matures, they may be admitted to the community of civilised nations. They should not be trafficked with until such time as their society matures.
I personally favour setting up a body alternative to the UN. Such an organisation would admit countries that granted freedom of conscience to their citizens and general economic freedom. As of now, perhaps fifty nations might qualify for membership. I would also favour withdrawal of the US and other free nations from the UN. I understand that the UN is seeking a new headquarters building and suggest it be built in Somalia, Russia, Sudan or Zimbabwe.
Removing so many people who have diplomatic immunity from New York would be a boon to that city. Many of these people are spies on one level or another. Let them do their espionage elsewhere. The replacement organisation could be located in any free nation.
In addition to the above, I would advocate free trade among the free nations and the elimination of subsidies and trade barriers. Let the advanced and civilised nations prosper and those who persist with the UN, experience tariffs and restrictions on travel to free nations. I would expect reciprocal actions on the part of the unfree nations and am not at all concerned about that. It will make little difference. Free nations tend to be productive. Unfree nations such as Zimbabwe and Cuba can serve as models for the reconstructed UN.
By the way, I have carefully examined the terms of the US trade embargo with Cuba. It doesn’t outlaw all trade between the US and Cuba. It does restrict such trade to medicines and food which must be paid on a cash and carry basis. Given Cuba’s history of expropriation, this seems a sound policy. The US is the only nation having such an embargo against Cuba. The US does forbid companies in other countries that trade with Cuba from trading in the US. Why is it that all Cuban economic trouble is blamed on the US? Is it because we refuse to extend credit terms to a regime that has proven to be a dead beat? International companies are free to make a choice as to whether they wish to trade with Cuba or the US. The embargo is definitely not a blockade as understood in international law. Cuba is free to trade with any nation other than the US on its own terms.
I believe that having a UN for the unfree nations makes sense. I also believe that having a similar organisation for free nations and omitting troublemakers would be a sound move. Some US media might prefer to join the unfree world. Ms. Amanpour and others come to mind. We should let them go to their utopias. I would contribute to their travel elsewhere despit my somewhat limited means. I believe I could afford three or four one way tickets to the destinations of their choice.
gin789 Says:The Palestinins have had to put up with the Zionist jews for over 40 years. It is time for the Arab nations to join together and drive the war mongering Zionist into the sea. It is a fact that these Zionist are not real jews as they came from all over but mostly from Russia and the real jews do not believe that this is the will of God. The Balflor treaty was the reason for their existance not God.
There’s no such person as a palestinian. They are Philistines. The name “palestine” was created by the Romans. The Philistines lived in ISRAEL!!! And still do. The arab’s say, go back to the 1969 or 1940 borders. But that ignores the REST of history. The nation is now, always has been & always will be, Israel. Even the koran says so. BUT, it also says the muslims can play God by declaring that the Israelis broke their covenat with God & therefore are not entitled to Israel. Blasphemy in every religion. The koran & islam are tools of shatan.
This all points to one thing…..”when Israel shall be a burdensome yoke on the whole world”.
All I have to say is that the radical Muslims are barbaric. Killing fellow humans on a religious basis. Just like the president of Iran saying the holocaust did not happen and Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth….crazy barbaric people in this planet…..
So far, judging by the thrilling comments you all have posted, I have come to the conclusion that most of you are among the bloodthirsty. All of you defend Israel by saying that they’re the poor defenseless ones, then you say that they’re doing a good job wiping out Palestinians and tell them to CONTINUE to do it. What kind of sick people are you? While I necessarily do not agree with Hamas’s approach, Israel is surely not the poor, innocent victims. Let us not forget that they took over the Palestinian lands, and that if my home was just taken away without compensation I would fight too, as I’m sure any of you sick animals would. All of you disgust me. Especially those who think Islam preaches people like the Taliban. Maybe if you actually read the Quran, and interpreted it properly, you’d know that it was a peaceful religion.
As for those of you who think its time for Islam to “evolve”… Are you saying that Muslims should go against Islam’s rules? Because Christians and Jews do that every day. A religion’s rules should be followed – Unfortunately nobody gets that concept anymore.
Watch the Award winning documentary film
Occupation 101
enough said!