Collateralism

[posted by Kay Ryan]

Last weekend a summit was called by the leaders of the Gulf States to establish a common Arab position about Iran's controversial nuclear program. Of course the resulting communique was not free of the double-talk usually associated with Arab-speak; however, it did affirm Arab concerns about the Iranian program on grounds of both safety and security.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprised of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman expressed anxiety that Americans who worry about possible retaliation by the Arab States in the event of air strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, should consider.

Except for Saudi Arabia, the GCC States are located on the coastline just opposite Iran's nuclear power station on the Bushehr Peninsula which is part of the most active earthquake zone on Earth; AND, Iran plans to build at least seven more such plants in the next decade. The Arabs asked Tehran about the disposal of nuclear waste and the water that is used for cooling. Iran shrugged it off. Tehran also declined to permit the GCC to visit the sites, to interview scientists and to commission appropriate safety tests.

The USA is presently involved in the endless and non-productive diplomacy track which will end like all international intitiatives - hamstrung at the UN. Perhaps the Arab states, knowing full well the dangers that THEY face if Iran succeeds in developing nuclear weapons, are better allies against Iran's power grab than those further away from the epicenter? There goes the neighborhood!!

If all diplomacy fails and an air strike against Iran occurs, do you think Arab Countries would retaliate? I don't.