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The Northerner

(5,040 posts) Wed Jan 25, 2012, 01:13 AM Jan 2012

Obama: No options off table on Iran nuclear program

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama warned Iran on Tuesday the United States would keep up pressure on its disputed nuclear program with "no options off the table" but said the door remained open to talks for a peaceful resolution.

In his State of the Union address, Obama said Tehran was isolated and facing "crippling" sanctions that he said would continue so long as the Islamic Republic keeps its back turned to the international community.

"America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal. But a peaceful resolution of this issue is still possible, and far better, and if Iran changes course and meets its obligations, it can rejoin the community of nations," he said.

Upon taking office in 2009, Obama broke with his Republican predecessor George W. Bush and offered an olive branch to Iran, saying he wanted a new beginning with the country that Bush had labelled part of the "axis of evil."

But the offer to negotiate has not borne fruit and tensions have continued to escalate over the Iranian nuclear program that Tehran says is for energy purposes and Western nations fear is meant to build a nuclear weapon.

Read more: http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/01/25/usa-obama-speech-iran-idINDEE80O04C20120125

12 replies

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Highlight:

Obama: No options off table on Iran nuclear program (Original Post) The Northerner Jan 2012 OP

How about if we tell Ahmedinejad exactly how we will respond to what? jberryhill Jan 2012 #1

If interested in deterrence, yes it would be an awesome idea. cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #9

Okay... jberryhill Jan 2012 #10

Remember how we hated Bush using the "no options off the table" rhetoric? nt ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #2

I don't mind the rhetoric jberryhill Jan 2012 #4

+1 ellisonz Jan 2012 #7

We used to mind that type of rhetoric. ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #11

That reminded me of Bush too. Raffi Ella Jan 2012 #12

Was he wearing cowboy boots and paging Colin Powell when he said that? Tierra_y_Libertad Jan 2012 #3

China is onboard (to negociate). Amonester Jan 2012 #5

Maybe he felt he had to say that after the "Letter Leak". nt gateley Jan 2012 #6

The last time I looked only Americans get to vote in American elections cpwm17 Jan 2012 #8

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)

1. How about if we tell Ahmedinejad exactly how we will respond to what?

Reply to The Northerner (Original post)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 01:25 AM

Jan 2012

That would be an awesome idea.

cthulu2016

(10,960 posts)

9. If interested in deterrence, yes it would be an awesome idea.

Reply to jberryhill (Reply #1)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 04:43 AM

Jan 2012

That is how you deter -- by saying if X then Y.

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)

10. Okay...

Reply to cthulu2016 (Reply #9)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 09:19 AM

Jan 2012

Then explain why we never took the Soviets up on the offer to pledge not to engage in a first strike?

Was it because we intended one?

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)

2. Remember how we hated Bush using the "no options off the table" rhetoric? nt

Reply to The Northerner (Original post)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 01:31 AM

Jan 2012

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)

4. I don't mind the rhetoric

Reply to ZombieHorde (Reply #2)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 01:38 AM

Jan 2012

Since uncertainty has strategic value in resolving issues without the use of force.

W's problem was his inability to use the uncertainty without actually resorting to force, AND doing so in a thoroughly unnecessary context.

ellisonz

(27,711 posts)

7. +1

Reply to jberryhill (Reply #4)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 02:47 AM

Jan 2012

ZombieHorde

(29,047 posts)

11. We used to mind that type of rhetoric.

Reply to jberryhill (Reply #4)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 01:57 PM

Jan 2012

DU has moved to the right since President Obama's election.

Raffi Ella

(4,465 posts)

12. That reminded me of Bush too.

Reply to ZombieHorde (Reply #2)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 02:43 PM

Jan 2012

President Obama has epitomized 'Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick" - it has served him well. So, his bravado about Iran was disappointing to say the least; Cowboy Swagger is for reThugs.

Tierra_y_Libertad

(50,414 posts)

3. Was he wearing cowboy boots and paging Colin Powell when he said that?

Reply to The Northerner (Original post)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 01:35 AM

Jan 2012

"Smoke 'em out!" "Bring it on!" "We have to fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here."

Amonester

(11,541 posts)

5. China is onboard (to negociate).

Reply to The Northerner (Original post)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 01:40 AM

Jan 2012

Russia, not so much. (Last I heard.)

gateley

(62,683 posts)

6. Maybe he felt he had to say that after the "Letter Leak". nt

Reply to The Northerner (Original post)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 02:19 AM

Jan 2012

cpwm17

(3,829 posts)

8. The last time I looked only Americans get to vote in American elections

Reply to The Northerner (Original post)

Wed Jan 25, 2012, 04:30 AM

Jan 2012

So American politicians have no right telling people in other countries how to run their own business. The Iranians should tell any of our morally corrupt, bought-off politicians to fuck off.

We have nuclear weapons, and they only have a civilian nuclear program. We engage in aggressive wars, and they don't. We threaten them, and they only threaten to defend themselves. We've bullied them for years, and they are the victims.

President Obama: you think you are a tough guy by sucking up to the morally retarded and ignorant in this country. "No options off the table" means you are threatening unprovoked mass-murder against the Iranian people - shameless.

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