It is now official, the UN has officially sanctioned Iran. Link to new story:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061223/D8M6PNDO0.html

No matter what you think about the UN, this is a major milestone and Iran has much power to react or do nothing and proceed ahead anyway regardless of the UN. The key will be if Russia and China continue to help Iran in its quest for increasing nuclear technology. I believe they will. What ever the actions of Irans providers and allies, I believe we will be sitting here one year from now and looking at this UN sanction as the milestone that made many dominoes tumble in 2007. What do you think?

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Turk Quid Pro Quo

I agree that the sanctions won't do anything to deter Iran from its present path. The sanctions are a turning point that we have been waiting to come out of the UN for four months. What they will do is: Make Iran more determined and vocal in its quest, thus ratcheting up the rhetoric...the sanctions now put the ball in the Bush administrations court for the beginning of the year. The way in which the Bush administration chooses to resond will set the course for the year, in many areas. The naval buildup near the Straight of Hormuz has been on-going for months by both the west and Iran. The straight of Hormuz is the choke point for approximately 80 percent of the oil supplied to the world from the region. 'Nothing happening' is not an option. There will be a chain of events triggered by these sanctions. I know, the events are in truth triggered by Irans actions, but it is the UN sanctions that will become history's marking point for what follows.

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Turk Quid Pro Quo

There will be a reaction eventually. I agree that sanctions are a good political move. I am surprised at the unanimity of the UN.
I will not be surprised if Russia and/or China do not follow up, and eventually support inaction. It is impossible to have your OIL and eat it. Like CAKE. You can't be friends with your major oil supplier, and stab him in the back the same day.
I guess it sounds great on first look, but unless the UN goes out and buys a new set of dentures, I don't see any teeth in the sanctions.

I was sorry to see our US Ambassador to the UN resign. That does not give me confidence that the UN is a body to look up to. I hope I am wrong.

Sad but true. I went to an Air Force school once, for a year, with an Iranian military person. He and his family went back to Iran after the school. The Shah was dethroned, and I have never heard from my friend again.

Off topic here but, trying to find an open uncensored internet forum or blog in Iran is impossible unless you are in contact with someone there who can tell you. Any one know if there are any open internet roads that allow real two way communication between Iranians and westerners?

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Turk Quid Pro Quo

Go to HOT TOPICS where Mike started "IRAQ is smarter than the rest of the world..."
Itaewon's posts are a good place to start- click on his name, then on all his posts.
Probably we should try to get all of our posts on the topic under Religion and Politics.