Iran's Nuclear Development:

There is a general belief in the West that Iran is developing a nuclear bomb while the Mullahs insist that the facilities are being built for peaceful purposes. It has made Israel and all the Western governments very nervous. To dissuade the rulers, various sanctions have been imposed on Iran but they have had no effect. According to some media reports Israel is now set to attack the nuclear facilities of Iran with or without the support of the U.S.

I suggest that the only reason Iran is developing a nuclear capacity, if indeed it is, is because Israel already has it. Islamic countries in the Middle East have good reasons to worry about expansionist aims of Israel. Their view of the situation, rightly or wrongly, is that the Jews expelled Arabs in 1948 and have annexed the territories of their neighbours twice since then; have showed no interest in negotiating a piece deal with Palestinians and have been building the military capacity, including nuclear weapons, far greater than they would need for defensive purposes. No coercion will change this impression and one way or the other populist governments of Islamic countries will continue working towards military parity with Israel. This does not mean that continuous wars in the area are inevitable till one of the two sides is annihilated. It does mean that huge imbalance in the strength of two sides does not auger well for peace.

Israel does not have to weaken itself to begin the process that could reduce tensions in the region. Rather than threaten strikes which may or may not work and could easily backfire, Mr. Netanyahu can suggest that Israel will abandon its nuclear arsenal and start negotiations with Palestinians if three conditions were met:
1. Iran unconditionally gave up any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
2. Iran allowed international observers to monitor its nuclear development to ensure that it is exclusively for peaceful purposes.
3. Other countries in the region signed and promised to abide by non-proliferation treaty.

Iran can not turn down this offer without confirming the worst fears of its enemies and alienating her remaining friends. In that case there will be much greater support for the attack to destroy the facilities. On the other hand, if good sense were to prevail, Iran would accept the offer and the possibility of a war in the region will be averted, not only now but for some time in the future.

If there were a win/win situation here is one. Will Netanyahu be able to convince his motley group to do it? Let us hope so.

Set of Rules for Governance of Canada:

1. Government of Canada has been replaced by Harper government.
2. Absolute majority in parliament, though far from it in votes, gives a Prime Minister the right to push his narrow agenda, no matter what harm it does to the country.
3. The ministers don’t lie or play tricks; it is some junior official in a back office.
4. If caught with a hand in the cookie jar, throw the jar at the person making sure s/he learns a lesson and never snoops on you again.
5. Cut the services to those most in need and where it will do the most long term damage because these are the people who voted against you.
6. Protect the jobs and benefits of your cronies irrespective of costs. After all it doesn’t come out of your pocket.
7. Make sure every pronouncement promotes your party and puts down the opposition parties whatever the truth.
8. Use government funds to promote your party and its candidates in the next election.
9. Encourage your supporters to sabotage fair elections at home while extolling democracy abroad.
10. Avoid the high road; why risk of falling down. No one can bring you down from the low road.