Editorial
Arab News, Saudi Arabia
5 February 2006

The debate over Iran’s possible nuclear armament program is shot through with double standard and blindness. It is easy to agree that Iran should not become a nuclear power. We do not want such weapons in the Middle East. But we already have them. Israel is a nuclear power. As long as it does not sign up to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, its nuclear program will never be inspected. Washington has connived at this dangerous situation even though it nullifies America’s commitment under Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II not only to cut nuclear weapon stockpiles but also to work for their eradication. North Korea is apparently a nuclear power, yet far from threatening Pyongyang with UN sanctions or worse, Washington has placated this old style communist regime with aid. Nor have the Americans reacted precipitously against Pakistan or India, neither signatories of the NPT.

Not only this but far from preparing to abandon their nuclear capability, the Americans and British are busy working on even deadlier upgrades for their arsenals. Washington may protest that the program is “defensive” but that is not the way it looks to outsiders. America’s nukes are the bedrock underpinning its superpower status. From such foundations it can safely strike out and destroy a regime like Saddam’s in Iraq.

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