Russian experts say nuclear-free Middle East unlikely

[Kshasty]

Source: RIA Novosti

Russian experts are convinced that the international community would fail in its efforts to keep the Middle East nuclear-free, according to a report prepared for an international conference in Jordan.

A group of Russian experts has prepared its report on the future situation in the Middle East, which was presented during a regional security conference currently underway in Jordan.

According to the report, the idea of nuclear-free Middle East "has no real perspective due to Israel's refusal to join the non-proliferation treaty." It also says the possibility of Iran getting nuclear weapons was "high."

In addition, some countries in the region might purchase nuclear warheads in North Korea, the report says.

"If there is little chance to stop proliferation, we should think of how to make nuclear weapons a stabilizing factor under the new circumstances," Russian experts say in the report.

According to the report, there are several ways of maintaining security in the area, including a joint shield for Middle East states with the participation of Russia and the U.S. or a collective regional missile defense system.

Read more: http://en.rian.ru/world/20091221/157308520.html

[Selatius]

1. If Iran did build nuclear weapons, at least the doctrine of MAD would be invoked

MAD Doctrine:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

[WriteDown]

6. That assumes two rational acting partners. nt

[Selatius]

8. I don't think Ahmadinejad or the Mullahs want to lose power in a mushroom cloud.

If anything, their attempt to crush citizen protests is indicative of a regime that wants to hold onto power rather than lose it all in a nuclear holocaust.

[WriteDown]

9. Not about power....

about this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_imam#Reappearance

[Selatius]

10. I find it no worse than Christians playing for the second coming of Jesus.

What is the point you're driving at? That they're going to start a nuclear holocaust that they're guaranteed to come out of a pile of ashes just because of some religious text?

[liberal N proud]

2. Did it take a rocket scientist to figure that out?

[azurnoir]

3. The ME has not been "nuke free" for over 40 years n/t

[BunkerHill24]

7. Indeed. Israel will never give up their Nuclear & WMD's, of course.

[Ter]

4. Remember who started having nukes in the ME: Israel!

[bemildred]

5. It seems to me that the "international community" has long since failed in that.

So these "experts" are simply noticing the obvious factual status quo ante.