I was reading about the banning of UN Nuclear Inspections in Iran, and I was reminded of another story, an old story, but an important one. It makes me think of the hypocrisy prevalent in the government of the United States these days. Allow me to elaborate.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently drafted a resolution condemning Iran for not being suitably transparent in its admission of information and not being cooperative enough with the IAEA's demand's. Iran banned inspections, citing displeasure over the resolution.

The resolution was drafted as a result of strong U.S. political pressure. The United States, of course, is vitally concerned with issues of Nuclear Proliferation and the development of Nuclear technology in countries around the world. It would almost seem noble, this concern and demand for accountability among the international community, but for the small issue of nuclear arms within the United States.

Two years ago the U.S. decided to unilaterally (obviously) break away from any and all nuclear non-proliferation/non-nuclear development agreements and come up with their own plan to build nuclear 'bunker busters'. The idea is that enemy bunkers are now too deep and fortified to be destroyed by conventional bunker buster bombs, hence larger and more dangerous bombs are required. An atomic bunker buster could be as much as 5,000 times more powerful than any in the existing arsenal. Not to mention the after-effects of radiation.

Now, unless I'm mistaken, arguing against nuclear development while developing your own nuclear arsenal should be, well, difficult? Using a pyramid analogy: It seems to me that the building blocks put together by Bill Clinton, with the de-commission of American nuclear weapons in the 90's, have been quite neatly bulldozed. Yet George Bush still seeks to stand upon the pinnacle. I'm sorry George, there's nothing left for you to stand on.

Going back to the development of new atomic bombs. Is it possible that anyone in the Pentagon looked beyond their own noses at the possible repurcussions of the program? According to the Charleston Post and Courier, in 2001 a Pentagon document titled the Nuclear Posture Review (a description of Bush administration policy) listed 7 nations listed as possible targets of United States weapons: China, Russia, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya, and Syria. Nations with ample capability to engage in their own nuclear build up. The point here is, with the United States creating new atomic weapons, they are setting the stage for another arms race.

It's pretty hard to miss, really. As one nation builds up it's own weapons, in an attempt to protect itself; others invariably will feel threatened and build up their own weapons. As the build up continues, tensions continue to rise. Soon enough, we find outselves in a state of Cold War. It doesn't necessarily take a leap of logic to see how this position could be reached.

All I can really say here is (Stealing a quote from Zach De La Rocha): Wake Up!

~K