US 'ready to boost Gulf defence'

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the US is prepared to bolster the defence of its Gulf allies if Iran develops a nuclear weapons programme.

Mrs Clinton said if the US extended a "defence umbrella" over the region, it was unlikely that Iran would be any stronger or safer having a weapon.

She said the US was still offering engagement to Iran but warned that the "nuclear clock was ticking"

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Speaking in an interview for Thai television, she said: "If the US extends a defence umbrella over the region, if we do even more to support the military capacity of those in the Gulf, it's unlikely that Iran will be any stronger or safer because they won't be able to intimidate and dominate as they apparently believe they can once they have a nuclear weapon."

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8162402.stm

[bemildred]

1. God, what empty-headed bullshit.

It gets so tedious after a while.

[Nihil]

3. "Change you can believe in" ...

... or something ...

[bemildred]

2. Clinton stirs Israeli fears US will accept nuclear Iran

PHUKET — Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday stirred Israeli fears that Washington would accept a nuclear armed Iran when she raised the idea of a US "defence umbrella" for Gulf allies.

However, Clinton, during a visit to Thailand for an Asian security conference, said later that she was not announcing a new policy and simply wanted to turn Iran away from pursuing a nuclear weapon.

Clinton told Thai television in Bangkok that President Barack Obama's administration was still open to engage Iran in talks about its nuclear programme but warned that Tehran would not be safer if it obtains a bomb.

"We will still hold the door open" to talks over its nuclear program Clinton said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jHUyLUHUSYBJ-Wny7nCiV52us0gA

[No Elephants]

4. So, we pissed off Iran and Israel with the same statement?

[Vidar]

5. Israel will handle it regardless of US posturing. Let's quit stirring the pot.