War and Its Consequences
By Thomas Powers
... a war to overthrow Saddam Hussein won't by itself provide a "decision outcome" in the present case, because there are two rogue states with programs to build nuclear weapons in the Middle East. The theory says that both have to go, and if President Bush can be taken at his word, he thinks the same thing. To me the implication seems clear: Iraq first, Iran next. -- February 26, 2003
<http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16155>
[From the Washington Post]
Iran's Nuclear Program Speeds Ahead
'Startling' Progress at Complex Poses Challenge to Bush Administration at Delicate Time
By Joby Warrick and Glenn Kessler Monday, March 10, 2003
Near the town of Natanz in central Iran, 160 newly minted centrifuges stand in neat rows inside a nuclear complex that the United States and other countries were surprised to learn about only seven months ago. The machines have been tested and judged fully operational, senior Bush administration officials say. Sometime this year they will begin spinning hot uranium gas into nuclear fuel. ...
Details about the Natanz complex are beginning to trickle out following the first visit to the site by officials from the United Nations late last month. U.S. officials who were briefed on the visit described Iran's progress last week as "startling" and "eye-opening," so much so that intelligence agencies are being forced to dramatically shorten estimates for when Iran may acquire nuclear weapons.
But equally striking is the extent to which Iran's breakthrough caught the United States and others by surprise. ...
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2677-2003Mar9.html>
Carl
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