Putin signing the deal with Iran for nuclear technology is an extreme slap in the face to the US especially after Bush stressed disaproval just two days ago. Putin is locking up people who write things bad about him, and political opponents. He's definatly turning into a dictator, as anyone can obviously see he's removing democracy, I bet even Patrick can't come up with some crap for why he's jailing innocent people like Stalin. Iran will have nukes, and give current situationf 5-10 years, World War III will happen, with:

America, Israel, Britain and some allies on one side and Russia, Iran, North Korea, Palestinians, Syria, and some allies on the other. I wouldn't be surprised to see France aiding Russia in this. Maybe Germany. India and Pakistan will probably split and align themselves with different sides, most likely India with the US and Pakistan with Russia's side. China is a big question, they'll probably remain nuetral but attack Taiwan to take over while the US is busy.
This war could go on for a decade, but as long as nukes aren't used (no country can hit the US with nukes, but Iran and North Korea might destroy smaller nations around them) the US and it's allies could end this in under 5 years. Then it'll take major rebuilding. The UN, even now it needs it, will be totally revamped.

I don't know that Putin is really becoming a Dictator as much as people in the West think he is. He is definatly undermining Democracy, but I think a big part of that is the Russian idea of "voshdh", or strong leadership. Putin needs to make himself semi-autocratic to maintain the respect (read: fear) of the Russian people.

My two cents.

Jesus. You really are pushing it here, mang. Putin has every right to do what he wants with Iran. Also, Putin and Bush both agreed that Iran SHOULDN'T have a nuke. It was said when they met last week. As far as him jailing people from the press, you're right. That is wrong. As far as turning into a dictator, I think you're totally wrong. Locking people up from the press or his political opponents is the only step he's taking away from democracy. My UN Club teacher told me that Russia's market economy is growing rapidly and he doesn't even like Putin.

I would also find it highly insulting if I were from France or Germany and read that. The German, British, and French Ambassadors to the US were on CNN today with Wolf Blitzer and all 3 said that Iran shouldn't have nukes. Pakistan has been gaining a great relationship with us since we entered Afghanistan and there's no way they'd go against us.

I'm still waiting for your reply in the Cobain/Tupac thread. -Pat

Yea I saw that earlier today. I wouldnt go so far as to predict World War III, but this definetly isnt good news.

Wahhhhh!

Man, we all worry too much.

Hell yes we do. Reminds me of Dr. Strangelove.

Sounds like the last time I played Risk :rolleyes:

Which side do you have Italy on?

Iran says they are using the radioactive material for power generating plants. With all that oil? You mean they have an environmental policy? Scary bunches of people.

I dunno, Part.....

I usually like to start with Austrailia (since they have only one border) and work my way out from there.

Sorry plaw, I have to side in with Partagas here, that was always the first country I went for.

Hello to WWIII. How many times do I have to say it out loud for it to happen?

Reminds me of when we used to say Bloody Mary in the school toilets.

Mick

I do not think there will ever be a WW3. When one of the countries say the United States, Russia, Great Britian or say Israel is about to be taken over, whats to stop one of those nuclear powerhouses from useing there nukes? Instead of loseing and being taken over they will shoot there nukes and then everyone else will shoot theres also. And then there would be no world!
It's scary but maybe all these countries having nukes actualy has prevented a third world war. Who knows? But I do think it is a slap in the face to Bush and our country when Putin signs such a stupid thing with Iran.
Iran says the contract with Russia is for energy uses only, what a bunch of crap, they sit on one of the biggest oil reserves in the world. :rolleyes:

Let us not forget Putins background.

And as for the Governmant of Iran, well we all know what they really are!

Don Cardi

Putin is an ex KJB thug. He is not to be trusted!

KGB criminal you mean, right?

KGB criminal you mean, right? [/b][/quote]Definition: criminal
Synonyms: badman, bandido, bandit, convict, cutthroat, gangster, gunman, hoodlum, lawbreaker, mugger, outlaw, ruffian, thug

KGB criminal you mean, right? [/b][/quote]Definition: criminal
Synonyms: badman, bandido, bandit, convict, cutthroat, gangster, gunman, hoodlum, lawbreaker, mugger, outlaw, ruffian, thug [/b][/quote]DV the only reason Pat said that is because if Don Smitty said Thug/Criminal are the same thing Pat would start in with his "thug life" again. :rolleyes:

I saw Pat saying something about it the minute DS posted it

KGB ... thanks for the correction.

Just a side note: While I'm very much against my gov. having nuke because they are not the kind of gov. to be trusted with such a thing and if God forbid they get to it and use it against any other country it would be a big stain on the history of our country and something that would embarrass us for ever, I'm really astonished to see some of people think since Iran has one of the biggest oil resources shouldn't have nuclear power plants. It is like saying since your country has a lot of donkeys you shouldn't have automobiles. Yes, we want to be prepared when our oil fields come to their end, so help us God let that be sooner and I for one am concerned with our environmental problems, where we try to raise our kids. Just wanted to remind you if that's your reasoning, why the US gov. itself proposed 20MW nuclear power plant to be built in Bushehr? Yes, the power plant which was left half way through is a project that was proposed and developed by Americans back in the time of Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran.
The contract that was signed with Russia the other day was actually to limit the Iranian gov. to take back the remains of nuclear fuel to Russia so that they can not enrich the remains to use it again as nuclear fuel. The thing that has concerned Europe and America has been the enrichment process that could enable Iranian gov. to make nuclear bombs. The US and European Union say Iran should stop enrichment forever. Iranian gov. argues that they can not accept the club of elite countries limiting them on nuclear fuel in future. I think at least at the time of ruling of this gov., the enrichment should not be allowed here in Iran. But the contract that was signed with Russia was not against the agreement of Europe and America.

Now the real note: If you still think otherwise, here is hello to WWIII from me. :p Be sure to send in your applications for my underground facility.
The criteria are that you have to be a handsome, sarcastic and intelligent man.

I know this is nothing to do with this topic, but, Mick, what was the Bloody Mary thing?? It rings a bell from my (distant) school days, but I just can't remember!

Bella, say Bloody Mary thirteen times in the mirror and she comes to visit you right there and then. Guaranteed to work, too.

Mick

Very insightful Afsaneh. I can definately see your point about the power situation, and I have always favored nuclear energy as long as it is used responsibly. The question here is whether the Iranian governemt would A). Use it responsibly and safely, and B). Not try to enrich the uranium to weapons-grade for obvious reasons. I wouldn't trust them on either account personally, nor do I trust the Russian governemnt here. The whole thing just stinks.

So where do you send those applications again?

Well, yes, I guess you can not trust anyone with nuclear tech. nowadays.

[Sarcasm]
Send your applications to P.O. Box 12345-67890 Iran
Be sure to add a recent photo, the funniest piece you've ever written and have your GRE score sent to this address.
[/Sarcasm]

Oh yeah!!! We used to do that at school. God, that's a real blast from the past .

Cheers Mick