Iran Nuclear Plant: Countdown to Armageddon?

[CaptainBlowhole]

Within a few days, with Russian aid, Iran will begin to install the fuel that will power the Bushehr Iranian Nuclear plant. Experts say that once the reactor is charged, and attack on it would spread contamination across the region. But, if it were to be attacked before that time, the collateral damage is not that great. So, essentially, the clock is running out. Since it is unlikely the US would lead such an attack, i is logical to assume that Israel would. If that happens, what will be the reaction?

LINK (http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=185060)


http://www.virginmedia.com/images/nuclear-431x300.jpg



Are we on the verge of Armageddon??

[epo]

You should liquidate everything and buy gold.

[spoon]

fillings for sale!

[brettmojo]

Within a few days, with Russian aid, Iran will begin to install the fuel that will power the Bushehr Iranian Nuclear plant. Experts say that once the reactor is charged, and attack on it would spread contamination across the region. But, if it were to be attacked before that time, the collateral damage is not that great. So, essentially, the clock is running out. Since it is unlikely the US would lead such an attack, i is logical to assume that Israel would. If that happens, what will be the reaction?
A sigh and a change of the channel.

[Kevin]

If Israel wants to get their asses handed to them by Iran, its their deal.

We should stay out of it

[spoon]

If Israel wants to get their asses handed to them by Iran, its their deal.

We should stay out of it

You're kidding right?! Israel would surely not get their asses handed to them by Iran.

[torker]

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[Kevin]

You're kidding right?! Israel would surely not get their asses handed to them by Iran.



Maybe I'm wrong..

I'm just going by size alone..

Israel does have a ton of fire power.

[Syd]

Their firepower can only be maintained so long as America keeps paying for it.

[torker]

why attack a power plant?
http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/radioactive-homer-simpson.jpg

[CaptainBlowhole]

The power plant will be able to supply other materials that are used in nuclear weapon manufacturing. That's the fear. Iranian leadership seems mentally unstable and is vocal about their negative feelings of Israel. Israel has reason to worry. Tensions have been escalating there with the naval blockade and settlement issues, so a lot of saber rattling is going on. Israel may feel an Iranian strike would quell a lot of tension, but I think it will also intensify feelings of hatred towards them by other Muslim countries. Muslims are probably feeling anger at being lumped in with terrorists, as witnessed by the (near)ground zero mosque issue.

[Suspect Chin]

This is an almost impossible situation. Bombing it is almost certain to set off retaliation leading to WW3. Not bombing it is likely to lead to an attack on Israel, which will initiate our involvement, thereby causing WW3. Our best bet might be to let them build it and just pray our missile defenses work so if a nuke is launched toward Israel, we can shoot it down.

[Barnaby Jones]

Why do people seem to be assuming that Iran would engage in a nuclear strike on Israel? Have they never seen a map of Middle East? Iran nuking Israel would likely turn at least Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia against Iran since the fallout would impact all of those nations!

Iran wants nuclear power for leverage, not a suicide strike!

[Kevin]

Liquidate everything buy gold...

That will be the only currancy for survivors after a nuke war.

[underdog]

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[torker]

The power plant will be able to supply other materials that are used in nuclear weapon manufacturing. That's the fear. Iranian leadership seems mentally unstable and is vocal about their negative feelings of Israel. Israel has reason to worry. Tensions have been escalating there with the naval blockade and settlement issues, so a lot of saber rattling is going on. Israel may feel an Iranian strike would quell a lot of tension, but I think it will also intensify feelings of hatred towards them by other Muslim countries. Muslims are probably feeling anger at being lumped in with terrorists, as witnessed by the (near)ground zero mosque issue.

fuck fear

[Suspect Chin]

Why do people seem to be assuming that Iran would engage in a nuclear strike on Israel?

Perhaps all the hate Ahmadinejad has been spewing over the last decade? Is it a risk you're really willing to take?

[Barnaby Jones]

Perhaps all the hate Ahmadinejad has been spewing over the last decade? Is it a risk you're really willing to take?

Of course, since he doesn't actually run the country or the military! They have him to talk a good game, but Iran's actions show that the actual ruling council has no interest getting themselves eradicated! They want to strengthen their power, which is what nuclear leverage does!

[Syd]

http://i38.tinypic.com/52ews4.jpg

if only Ahmadinejad was our crazy ass puppet, this wouldn't be such a big deal

[CaptainBlowhole]

So that ad said that Iran was building 2 nuclear power plants, and the suave Shah has been gone for how long now?

[A.J.]

Their firepower can only be maintained so long as America keeps paying for it.

This.

[CaptainBlowhole]

If we are arming Israel, would this make radical Muslims hate us?

[A.J.]

If we are arming Israel, would this make radical Muslims hate us?

That's one of Al-Qa'ida's main beefs with the U.S.

[torker]

This.

If you ever run for office (or seize control),
you have my unwavering suuport.:king:

[torker]

That's one of Al-Qa'ida's main beefs with the U.S.

http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/barbecue-pork-chops-recipe.s600x600.jpg

[A.J.]

If you ever run for office (or seize control),
you have my unwavering suuport.:king:

Thanks but in order to run for office, I have to be nice to people. It's hard enough doing that as a Mod.

http://sp.life123.com/bm.pix/barbecue-pork-chops-recipe.s600x600.jpg

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! HARAM!!!

[Syd]

If we are arming Israel, would this make radical Muslims hate us?

Between the supplying of weapons to Israel and the troops in their holy lands (troops were removed from Saudi Arabia at some point in 2004 iirc) yeah, the far right Muslims have a legitimate problem with America. Most countries have come to terms with Israel and simply want to move back to the '67 borders but there's very little chance of Israel giving up territory. Still the whole "everyone wants to wipe Israel off the map" has as much legitimacy as Obama not being born in America. It's just something the extreme right says to get the people under them fired up.

America's supplying of arms to Israel and unending fiscal support and Obama being a shit president are the things people should be concerning themselves with before more problems arise from these issues.

[Dude!]

and Obama being a shit president

syd called obama
a 'shit president'!

[Barnaby Jones]

He's been a pretty crappy president!

[Serpico1103]

He's been a pretty crappy president!

I stopped worshiping him last week.

[epo]

I've converted everything to gold, what do I do now?

[Kevin]

Wait for the money to come in.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

I've converted everything to gold, what do I do now?

Attend Glenn Beck fest on 8/28 ?

[Serpico1103]

Attend Glenn Beck fest on 8/28 ?

Is that where all the self-described libertarians going? Got your tix yet?

[keithy_19]

Is that where all the self-described libertarians going? Got your tix yet?

Amazingly, it's free!

I personally won't be there. I hate Lincoln. Worse than Wilson.

[hanso]

http://i38.tinypic.com/52ews4.jpg

if only Ahmadinejad was our crazy ass puppet, this wouldn't be such a big deal

I thought they were sitting on a sea of oil. Them going nuke. Is like the dope dealer staying clean as to not dip into profits.

[scottinnj]

I've converted everything to gold, what do I do now?


Melt it down and paint your chick with it.
http://spectrumculture.com/assets/Goldfinger(2).jpg

[scottinnj]

Why do people seem to be assuming that Iran would engage in a nuclear strike on Israel?


Because their lunatic of a leader has said many times he's jerking off at the thought of nuking Isreal.

[Barnaby Jones]

Because their lunatic of a leader has said many times he's jerking off at the thought of nuking Isreal.

He's not their leader!

Nuking Israel ends Iran, period! Their own neighbors don't want them doing it, so you really think that the ruling party in Iran is looking to willfully end their reign and likely their existence in a suicide strike?

[scottinnj]

He's not their leader!

Nuking Israel ends Iran, period! Their own neighbors don't want them doing it, so you really think that the ruling party in Iran is looking to willfully end their reign and likely their existence in a suicide strike?

If they're stupid enough to keep this guy in power, then their whole leadership is nuts. Why would you risk it?

[scottinnj]

If Israel wants to get their asses handed to them by Iran, its their deal.

We should stay out of it


We'll be blamed for it anyway, so we might as well help them if they do.

[Syd]

If they're stupid enough to keep this guy in power, then their whole leadership is nuts. Why would you risk it?

because we're going to run out of money bombing every country that has nuclear ambitions?

[epo]

We'll be blamed for it anyway, so we might as well help them if they do.

That's honestly the last thing we need. The youth and western-thinking trends of Iran could soon make them a solid ally if we don't fuck it up.

[Barnaby Jones]

If they're stupid enough to keep this guy in power, then their whole leadership is nuts. Why would you risk it?

He's not "in power;" he has no control over the military! He's essentially a mouthpiece to appeal to the hardliners! He has no final say on anything of lasting importance to the Iranian state!

[scottinnj]

because we're going to run out of money bombing every country that has nuclear ambitions?

Only if Isreal is planning something. It's too late now for us to do any sort of pre-emptive strike, and all the sanctions & negotiations have failed due to Russia's desire to be on their side just to spite the USA, so since this is all pointing towards an attempt to destroy Isreal, we should just follow their lead, or at least just be ready to help defend them once the warheads are able to be put on the tips of missles.

[scottinnj]

That's honestly the last thing we need. The youth and western-thinking trends of Iran could soon make them a solid ally if we don't fuck it up.

I've always liked that approach best. If they try another election and have the mullahs come down hard on them like they did the last time, what do you think we should do to assist in an internal attempt to change the leadership?

Edit: If they do succeed in changing the power structure over there, then in my opinion, all this talk about their nuclear program becomes moot. They'd be no more of a threat to us then Pakistan or India.

[Barnaby Jones]

They can't destroy Israel with nuclear weapons without impacting numerous other countries in the region! Nobody in the M.E. is going to stand for that!

[Kevin]

That's honestly the last thing we need. The youth and western-thinking trends of Iran could soon make them a solid ally if we don't fuck it up.



We will if we elect another Cletus to the white house before that happends..

[Kevin]

I've always liked that approach best. If they try another election and have the mullahs come down hard on them like they did the last time, what do you think we should do to assist in an internal attempt to change the leadership?



Nothing...

Eventualy the Mulla's won't have power over anyone..

If we butt in, that would give them a uniting battle cry and take the attention away from them..

Like the dumb shit Reps wanted to do the last time..

[epo]

I've always liked that approach best. If they try another election and have the mullahs come down hard on them like they did the last time, what do you think we should do to assist in an internal attempt to change the leadership?

Edit: If they do succeed in changing the power structure over there, then in my opinion, all this talk about their nuclear program becomes moot. They'd be no more of a threat to us then Pakistan or India.

I really do think this is the only smart choice for us. As for whether/how we push them in the right direction...I wouldn't honestly know enough about their culture to make an honest assessment.

We might unfortunately have to just wait them out.

[scottinnj]

They can't destroy Israel with nuclear weapons without impacting numerous other countries in the region! Nobody in the M.E. is going to stand for that!

Right now, no, but if Iran becomes the only Muslim state in the region with nukes, the other countries won't have much say in the matter. Which is why I don't think Iran will necessarily "nuke" Isreal, but will through Syria and Lebanon attempt something conventional while holding over the region the threat of swinging the big nuclear stick.

[Barnaby Jones]

Right now, no, but if Iran becomes the only Muslim state in the region with nukes, the other countries won't have much say in the matter. Which is why I don't think Iran will necessarily "nuke" Isreal, but will through Syria and Lebanon attempt something conventional while holding over the region the threat of swinging the big nuclear stick.

That doesn't really give them much leverage since they don't have anything even close to an adequate nuclear weapon system to face multiple enemies!

They definitely want to be able to swing a big stick, but they want it in terms of political and regional leverage as opposed to pushing for war with Israel! War with Israel accomplished nothing except taking down Iran!

[scottinnj]

That doesn't really give them much leverage since they don't have anything even close to an adequate nuclear weapon system to face multiple enemies!

They definitely want to be able to swing a big stick, but they want it in terms of political and regional leverage as opposed to pushing for war with Israel! War with Israel accomplished nothing except taking down Iran!

Well one thing is for sure: Epo's right. The only thing we can do right now is wait and see what Iran's move is next. I hope your analysis is good, Barnaby.

[Recyclerz]

The Point of No Return - The Atlantic (http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1969/12/the-point-of-no-return/8186/)

A very good article if you want to dig a little deeper than each side's bumper stickers. Bottom line - there are no easy answers. Surprise!

[scottinnj]

Surprise!


OOOOH! A party? :smile:

[Recyclerz]

OOOOH! A party? :smile:

Not the good kind. :glurps:

[Barnaby Jones]

Well one thing is for sure: Epo's right. The only thing we can do right now is wait and see what Iran's move is next. I hope your analysis is good, Barnaby.

You and me both!

[pennington]

Does anybody know what the U.S. position is on this?

The President is on another vacation (this time in Martha's Vineyard) and I haven't heard anything from the Secretary of State since her daughter's wedding. Wasn't there a Middle-East Czar? Wasn't it former Senator George Mitchell? Has he had any public statements?

I agree with previous posts in this thread that we're going to get sucked into this mess no matter what happens.

[Willmore]

That's honestly the last thing we need. The youth and western-thinking trends of Iran could soon make them a solid ally if we don't fuck it up.

There's is a trend, but you have to keep in mind that Tehran is not a representative sample of Iranian society. Fivethirtyeight.com did some analysis after the Iranian election and while there is a trend away from the conservative Ahmadinejad/Khamenei regime, it is not country-wide. It's still a conservative, theocratic government and society.

[Kevin]

Does anybody know what the U.S. position is on this?

The President is on another vacation (this time in Martha's Vineyard) and I haven't heard anything from the Secretary of State since her daughter's wedding. Wasn't there a Middle-East Czar? Wasn't it former Senator George Mitchell? Has he had any public statements?

I agree with previous posts in this thread that we're going to get sucked into this mess no matter what happens.

Well to tell the turth, Israel's relationship with us has cooled quite a bit since the settlement thing a while back..

Then a few other issues..

The Administration felt disrespected by it and how it has been announced...

Israel has gotten a little cocky and reckless and it does not sit too well this This admin..

[hanso]

Well to tell the turth, Israel's relationship with us has cooled quite a bit since the settlement thing a while back..

Then a few other issues..

The Administration felt disrespected by it and how it has been announced...

Israel has gotten a little cocky and reckless and it does not sit too well this This admin..

One of their head muckety mucks was said to admit he was just appeasing. What he stated about peace efforts. And he hasn't done shit about it for like a decade.

[Kevin]

This thing was 35years in the making.

With a shit load of setbacks..

Its so out of date that it is not a big threat all.

Just the Israeli and Iranian sides both overly exagerrating to fit an agenda..

[hanso]

Yesterday a crawler read it was to start up.

[Kevin]

Yesterday a crawler read it was to start up.



Yea they started it up today..

But it took so long to build that its way out of date and can only produce so much uranium, way below wepons grade.

[hanso]

Now I read that Iran are getting drones.

[A.J.]

Now I read that Iran are getting drones.

They've been working on those for some time. Now they're getting an "unmanned bomber". (http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/08/201082284951981270.html)

"The jet, as well as being an ambassador of death for the enemies of humanity, has a main message of peace and friendship," Ahmadinejad said.

[Barnaby Jones]

What a wordsmith!

[CaptainBlowhole]

Yeah, we can trust them now that they have drones.

[weekapaugjz]

just like i said, israel didn't have the balls to do anything.

[hanso]

Yeah, we can trust them now that they have drones.

Hook some nuke power on those. Then they could stay up there a long time.

[StanUpshaw]

The world is doomed I tell ya. They've got the bomb and now we're all corpses. Truth bomb em, Barry:

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[StanUpshaw]

Maybe I was too hasty. The world has a lot of good to offer. How about an optimistic shot in the arm from the Spokesmen?

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[Crash]

The Point of No Return - The Atlantic (http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1969/12/the-point-of-no-return/8186/)

A very good article if you want to dig a little deeper than each side's bumper stickers. Bottom line - there are no easy answers. Surprise!

VERY good article Recyclerz.

And sobering.

Thank you.

[Kevin]

Israel's best option i think is to cave a little with Palestine and gain some good will towards the Muslim states around it and starting a joint effort against Iran.. The Mulsim states have no love for Iran either..

But they won't do that..

Because they never do something that would not help them and only them.

[Syd]

Israel's best option i think is to cave a little with Palestine and gain some good will towards the Muslim states around it and starting a joint effort against Iran.. The Mulsim states have no love for Iran either..

But they won't do that..

Because they never do something that would not help them and only them.

It's a Mexican standoff with everyone pointing their guns at Iran and just shouting back and forth at everyone else. The Persian Gulf is the lifeblood of that area and assuming a big goal of a nuclear Iran, even purely energy producing nuclear Iran, is to project itself farther in the area.

[spoon]

Israel's best option i think is to cave a little with Palestine and gain some good will towards the Muslim states around it and starting a joint effort against Iran.. The Mulsim states have no love for Iran either..

But they won't do that..

Because they never do something that would not help them and only them.

Kev, you seem to have some pent up hate here huh!? While this current Israel administration hasn't treated the situation with kid gloves, others have and nothing helped "gain some good will". They'll be hated forever unless the poverty levels in those Muslim states go down. Once again, that won't happen bc each country has to hold down their lot of 600 princes of excess. Oil money be dammed, we need more artificial islands that look like a map of the globe and buildings so tall they're deemed unsafe.

[Kevin]

Kev, you seem to have some pent up hate here huh!? While this current Israel administration hasn't treated the situation with kid gloves, others have and nothing helped "gain some good will". They'll be hated forever unless the poverty levels in those Muslim states go down. Once again, that won't happen bc each country has to hold down their lot of 600 princes of excess. Oil money be dammed, we need more artificial islands that look like a map of the globe and buildings so tall they're deemed unsafe.



Oh yea.

The situation in the middle east is a mess.

You are dead on with the prince thing.

I was talking to an Imam one day and he said he got invited to a prince's house one day for dinner.

Gold toilets, faucets, tables, everything.

While walking just miles away he saw just crushing poverty everywhere.

He said he was so disgusted that he could not even eat.

As far as the Israel thing.

They could do much more than they are to help the region out, but they won't.

[spoon]

Oh yea.

The situation in the middle east is a mess.

You are dead on with the prince thing.

I was talking to an Imam one day and he said he got invited to a prince's house one day for dinner.

Gold toilets, faucets, tables, everything.

While walking just miles away he saw just crushing poverty everywhere.

He said he was so disgusted that he could not even eat.

As far as the Israel thing.

They could do much more than they are to help the region out, but they won't.

99% of that region wants it wiped off the map. I'm not so sure it's solely on them or a good approach unless the dialogue changes drastically.

[Syd]

99% of that region wants it wiped off the map. I'm not so sure it's solely on them or a good approach unless the dialogue changes drastically.

99% of the region is ready for Israel to go back to the '67 borders after which they'll be a recognized country. Guess who that 1% that thinks it deserves the lands from a proxy war fought during the Cold War?

[spoon]

99% of the region is ready for Israel to go back to the '67 borders after which they'll be a recognized country. Guess who that 1% that thinks it deserves the lands from a proxy war fought during the Cold War?

Iceland?

[A.J.]

Kev, you seem to have some pent up hate here huh!? While this current Israel administration hasn't treated the situation with kid gloves, others have and nothing helped "gain some good will". They'll be hated forever unless the poverty levels in those Muslim states go down. Once again, that won't happen bc each country has to hold down their lot of 600 princes of excess. Oil money be dammed, we need more artificial islands that look like a map of the globe and buildings so tall they're deemed unsafe.

Most of the Arab countries have given billions to the Palestinian cause. For years, most of that money went into the coffers of Arafat and the other Fatah scumbags. That's why the Palestinians elected HAMAS because they were the ones that actually put the money to good use.

99% of the region is ready for Israel to go back to the '67 borders after which they'll be a recognized country.

Yep.

[torker]

Iran blames Israel after N-scientist dies in blast (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-blames-Israel-after-N-scientist-dies-in-blast-/articleshow/7013078.cms)

TEHRAN: Assailants on motorcycles attached magnetized bombs
to the cars of two nuclear scientists as they were driving to
work in Tehran on Monday, killing one and wounding the other, I
ranian officials said


that's pretty cool

[underdog]

Iran blames Israel after N-scientist dies in blast (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-blames-Israel-after-N-scientist-dies-in-blast-/articleshow/7013078.cms)

TEHRAN: Assailants on motorcycles attached magnetized bombs
to the cars of two nuclear scientists as they were driving to
work in Tehran on Monday, killing one and wounding the other, I
ranian officials said


that's pretty cool

Shit, Iran has N-scientists now? They're really progressing.

[Crash]

Iran blames Israel after N-scientist dies in blast (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-blames-Israel-after-N-scientist-dies-in-blast-/articleshow/7013078.cms)

TEHRAN: Assailants on motorcycles attached magnetized bombs
to the cars of two nuclear scientists as they were driving to
work in Tehran on Monday, killing one and wounding the other, I
ranian officials said


that's pretty cool

If you haven't already done so, check out the Atlantic article Recyclerz linked above. It lays out how Israel believes that somewhere around December 2010 potentially represents a point of no return in Iran's nuclear pursuit. And how they won't tolerate a nuclear Iran.

The next six months may just be bat-shit crazy.

May you live in interesting times.

[Recyclerz]

If you haven't already done so, check out the Atlantic article Recyclerz linked above. It lays out how Israel believes that somewhere around December 2010 potentially represents a point of no return in Iran's nuclear pursuit. And how they won't tolerate a nuclear Iran.

The next six months may just be bat-shit crazy.

May you live in interesting times.

If I bummed anybody out with the last story this one is a bit better for our side

Computer virus knocks out Iranian centrifuges (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11868596)

I can't wait to find out what kind of porn the Israelis (or maybe our guys) hid the virus in to attract the Iranian engineers. :clap:

[A.J.]

Iran blames Israel after N-scientist dies in blast (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/Iran-blames-Israel-after-N-scientist-dies-in-blast-/articleshow/7013078.cms)

He was black?

[Crash]

If I bummed anybody out with the last story this one is a bit better for our side

Computer virus knocks out Iranian centrifuges (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11868596)

I can't wait to find out what kind of porn the Israelis (or maybe our guys) hid the virus in to attract the Iranian engineers. :clap:


Experts say the worm, which Iran said in September had attacked its computers, has been specially configured to damage motors commonly used in uranium-enrichment centrifuges by sending them spinning out of control.
The computer bug is a form of customised malware, written to attack a precise target.


Wow. Magnetized bombs deployed from motorcycles taking out key players. Customized pinpoint computer viruses. Looks like the Iranians are under attack - presumably from the Israelis. But this is an unexpected strategy.

It's like a Le Carre novel. I can't wait to see what happens next...

...excpet the armageddon part. That would be really bad.

[keithy_19]

...excpet the armageddon part. That would be really bad.

Or kind of amazing.

I don't want to die, but I'd love to tell people I was there when it all ended.

[Crash]

Let's see...

Magnatized bombs deployed by mortorcycle riding assasins?

CHECK.

High-tech disruptive computer virus initiated?

CHECK

Weather-control doomsday device in place and turned on?

CHECK

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/01/AR2010120101114.html

I've revised my opinion. It's no longer like a Le Carre novel. Now it's an Underdog cartoon.

[Crash]

Holy shit...this is amazing.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/bits-before-bombs-how-stuxnet-crippled-irans-nuclear-dreams/?news=123

When the Stuxnet computer worm first surfaced back in June, it seemed like a sophisticated piece of malware that was ineffective, but dangerous. A few months later, it appears that the worm may have crippled Iran’s nuclear plans, leading to some analysts to describe it’s coming “like the arrival of an F35 into WWI battlefield.”

When a uranium sample was inserted into a Stuxnet-infected centrifuge for refinement, the virus would command the machine to spin faster than it was designed for, then suddenly stop. The results were thousands of machines that wore out years ahead of schedule, and more importantly, ruined samples. But the real trick of the virus was that while it was sabotaging the machinery, it would falsify the readings and make it appear as if everything was operating within the expected parameters.

After months of this, the centrifuges began to wear down and break, but as the readings still appeared to be within the norms, the scientists associated with the project began to second guess themselves. Iranian security agents began to investigate the failures, and the staff at the nuclear facilities lived under a cloud of fear and suspicion. This went on for over a year. If the virus had managed to completely avoid detection, it eventually would have deleted itself entirely and left the Iranians wondering what they were doing wrong.

Wow. Just wow.

[StanUpshaw]

If they can do this with a computer virus...what CAN'T be done with one? Are we going to see Honda create a virus that makes every Ford roll off the line with some huge and/or hidden defect?

This is crazy sci-fi shit right here.

[Recyclerz]

The Stuxnet gambit is impressive. It does highlight that this kind of thing is a double-edged sword though. The good news is that there are people left in Western Civilization who still pay attention in math and logic classes. The bad news is that a bug 20% as clever as Stuxnet could probably still take out large sections of our electrical grid or something else equally annoying.

[Crash]

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/09/despite-iranian-claims-stuxnet-worm-causing-nuclear-havoc/


Iran's nuclear program is still in chaos despite its leaders' adamant claim that they have contained the computer worm that attacked their facilities, cybersecurity experts in the United States and Europe say.



The Stuxnet worm, named after initials found in its code, is the most sophisticated cyberweapon ever created. Examination of the worm shows it was a cybermissile designed to penetrate advanced security systems. It was equipped with a warhead that targeted and took over the controls of the centrifuge systems at Iran’s uranium processing center in Natanz, and it had a second warhead that targeted the massive turbine at the nuclear reactor in Bashehr.



“Here is their problem. They should throw out every personal computer involved with the nuclear program and start over, but they can’t do that. Moreover, they are completely dependent on outside companies for the construction and maintenance of their nuclear facilities. They should throw out their computers as well. But they can’t,“ he explained. “They will just continually re-infect themselves.”

[Crash]

From the Jerusalem Post...

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=199475

“It will take two years for Iran to get back on track,” Langer said in a telephone interview from his office in Hamburg, Germany. “This was nearly as effective as a military strike, but even better since there are no fatalities and no full-blown war. From a military perspective, this was a huge success.”

Well that's a relief. We can all relax until December 2012...


...at which time we'll probably have to start worrying about nuclear armageddon again...


...at the exact time the ancient Mayans said the world was going to end...


...


...OH WE ARE SO SCREWED!!!!! :annoyed:


...Goddammit.

[Tallman388]

too bad they didn't have a nice anti-virus program for themselves. You'd think a scientist would known about that sort of thing.

[keithy_19]

From the Jerusalem Post...

http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=199475



Well that's a relief. We can all relax until December 2012...


...at which time we'll probably have to start worrying about nuclear armageddon again...


...at the exact time the ancient Mayans said the world was going to end...


...


...OH WE ARE SO SCREWED!!!!! :annoyed:


...Goddammit.

I hate Mayans. So glad that they're dead.

[TripleSkeet]

I hate Mayans. So glad that they're dead.

Amazing they didnt see that coming.

[Crash]

The cyber-attack on the Iranians might be continuing...

Meet ‘Flame’, The Massive Spy Malware Infiltrating Iranian Computers (http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/05/flame/)

A massive, highly sophisticated piece of malware has been newly found infecting systems in Iran and elsewhere and is believed to be part of a well-coordinated, ongoing, state-run cyberespionage operation.

Dubbed “Flame” by Kaspersky, the malicious code dwarfs Stuxnet in size – the groundbreaking infrastructure-sabotaging malware that is believed to have wreaked havoc on Iran’s nuclear program in 2009 and 2010. Although Flame has both a different purpose and composition than Stuxnet, and appears to have been written by different programmers, its complexity, the geographic scope of its infections and its behavior indicate strongly that a nation-state is behind Flame, rather than common cyber-criminals — marking it as yet another tool in the growing arsenal of cyberweaponry.


Among Flame’s many modules is one that turns on the internal microphone of an infected machine to secretly record conversations that occur either over Skype or in the computer’s near vicinity; a module that turns Bluetooth-enabled computers into a Bluetooth beacon, which scans for other Bluetooth-enabled devices in the vicinity to siphon names and phone numbers from their contacts folder; and a module that grabs and stores frequent screenshots of activity on the machine, such as instant-messaging and email communications, and sends them via a covert SSL channel to the attackers’ command-and-control servers.

The malware also has a sniffer component that can scan all of the traffic on an infected machine’s local network and collect usernames and password hashes that are transmitted across the network. The attackers appear to use this component to hijack administrative accounts and gain high-level privileges to other machines and parts of the network.

In related news, when the Russians invaded Georgia in 2008, their first move was a cyber-attack designed to take out the Georgian command and control structure.

In 2011, Leon Panetta said that "there’s a strong likelihood that the next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyberattack that cripples our power systems, our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental system."

[PapaBear]

.

[IamFogHat]

The cyber-attack on the Iranians might be continuing...

Meet ‘Flame’, The Massive Spy Malware Infiltrating Iranian Computers (http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/05/flame/)







In related news, when the Russians invaded Georgia in 2008, their first move was a cyber-attack designed to take out the Georgian command and control structure.

In 2011, Leon Panetta said that "there’s a strong likelihood that the next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyberattack that cripples our power systems, our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental system."

On one hand, I'm glad the Iranians are getting their nuclear program fucked with in a creative, non-lethal war way, but I also feel like our government becoming proficient in cyber-attack-espionage makes me really really scared about our future.

And also, since you noted that point about the Russian ploy is this going to turn into our next cold war? And I don't mean just because the Russians did it, I mean for whoever, is this going to turn into a new building of 'arms' in the form of who can best fuck with another nations infrastructure based on viruses in computer systems? That shit is terrifying.

[high fly]

If you haven't already done so, check out the Atlantic article Recyclerz linked above. It lays out how Israel believes that somewhere around December 2010 potentially represents a point of no return in Iran's nuclear pursuit. And how they won't tolerate a nuclear Iran.

The next six months may just be bat-shit crazy.

May you live in interesting times.

Good thing they didn't go "bat-shit crazy" in terms of Iran's nuclear program.
I do not believe Israel will attack.
In previous long-range strikes in Tunisia or Iraq, Israel did not telegraph their move ahead of time. I think they are bluffing because they do not have the bombs in their arsenal that can penetrate deeply enough to be assured they have destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities.
Our most powerful such ground-penetrator might be able to do it, but the thing weighs something like 15,000 pounds and even if we sold some to the Israelis, I do not think they have an aircraft that can deliver it on target.
The only weapon I am aware Israel has that could do the job is a nuke, and it is highly unlikely they will use them.

Likewise, If Iran got a nuke, it is highly unlikely they would use it on Israel. A large portion, probably most of the casualties would be Muslims, and there is also the chance that prevailing winds would send a radioactive cloud right back to Iran. The Iranian leaders have shown no signs of seeking a war that would pit them against the much larger Sunni Muslim countries in the region, who already dislike Iran for being majority Shiite.

[underdog]

Apparently we did it. (http://gizmodo.com/5914846/obama-ordered-devastating-cyberattacks-against-iran)

[Furtherman]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/304491_10151094125949032_1590475043_n.jpg

Netanyahu makes his case against Iran acquiring ACME bombs from one Wile E. Coyote – Super Genius.

[Dude!]

he's speaking to third-worlders...
it has to be with pictures
and simple diagrams

[CountryBob]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/304491_10151094125949032_1590475043_n.jpg

Netanyahu makes his case against Iran acquiring ACME bombs from one Wile E. Coyote – Super Genius.

I think it was brilliant - easy to see what he thinks is the dividing line in this craziness...

[WRESTLINGFAN]

he's speaking to third-worlders...
it has to be with pictures
and simple diagrams

They love to come here during the Opening of the general assembly. 5 Star living while the majority in their countries live in mud huts and less than a dollar a day

[brettmojo]

Can't wait for the photoshops.

[Kevin]

Here is the issue with Nettendouchbags scare tactics and fear mongering.

Iran will NOT, not now, not ever be able to nuke Israel.

Not because of the US or Israel..

But because Israel is situated next to other Arab countries.

If you nuke Israel, you will be damaging other places around it immensely.

We know this, Israel knows this, Iran knows this and so does every country near there.

This is all a bullshit ploy by nettendouche and Israel to start another war in the mid east.

You want to attack Iran, go the fuck ahead. leave us and the world out of it.

Show your mite big boy, stop being like the bully in a xmas story and hiding behind the bigger guy.

This will get solved by dialogue, not fear mongering and war.

[Dude!]

Here is the issue with Nettendouchbags scare tactics and fear mongering.

This is all a bullshit ploy by nettendouche and Israel to start another war in the mid east.

You want to attack Iran, go the fuck ahead. leave us and the world out of it.

Show your mite big boy, stop being like the bully in a xmas story and hiding behind the bigger guy.

This will get solved by dialogue, not fear mongering and war.


wow...someone really hates jews

[A.J.]

Here is the issue with Nettendouchbags scare tactics and fear mongering.

Iran will NOT, not now, not ever be able to nuke Israel.

Not because of the US or Israel..

But because Israel is situated next to other Arab countries.

If you nuke Israel, you will be damaging other places around it immensely.

We know this, Israel knows this, Iran knows this and so does every country near there.

This is all a bullshit ploy by nettendouche and Israel to start another war in the mid east.

You want to attack Iran, go the fuck ahead. leave us and the world out of it.

Show your mite big boy, stop being like the bully in a xmas story and hiding behind the bigger guy.

This will get solved by dialogue, not fear mongering and war.

Yep. And funny how this comes up during an election year.

[Furtherman]

wow...someone really hates jews

No, someone knows how to mind they're own f'n business.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Even if theres a worst case scenario and there is world war 3, Sure the Saudis and Iranians hate each other, Different cultures, languages and sects of Islam. Theres one thing they hate more than each other. Jews.

[Dude!]

Even if theres a worst case scenario and there is world war 3, Sure the Saudis and Iranians hate each other, Different cultures, languages and sects of Islam. Theres one thing they hate more than each other. Jews.

in the late 80s
Iran and Iraq killed a million+
of each other's people

if iran had a nuke back then
they would have lobbed it
into baghdad
without a second thought

[A.J.]

in the late 80s
Iran and Iraq killed a million+
of each other's people

if iran had a nuke back then
they would have lobbed it
into baghdad
without a second thought

Perhaps, but the Arab world was content with letting them kill each other.

The Jords and Egyptians would not be cool with an Iranian nuke hitting Israel and spreading radioactive material into their countries.

[sailor]

Perhaps, but the Arab world was content with letting them kill each other.

The Jords and Egyptians would not be cool with an Iranian nuke hitting Israel and spreading radioactive material into their countries.

Then why are they bothering to try to get nukes?

[A.J.]

Then why are they bothering to try to get nukes?

Who, Israel?

[sailor]

Who, Israel?

Iran. Isn't that the point of this thread?

[A.J.]

Then why are they bothering to try to get nukes?

Who, Israel?

Iran. Isn't that the point of this thread?

To be a regional power and part of an elite club.

[sailor]

To be a regional power and part of an elite club.

They should just join the Freemasons.

[Furtherman]

Then why are they bothering to try to get nukes?

Nuclear power. That's what they want. To run their electric sheep shearers. It's true. I hear that brearded guy Amenejenjenastahd say so.

[brettmojo]

Nuclear power. That's what they want. To run their electric sheep shearers. It's true. I hear that brearded guy Amenejenjenastahd say so.

I think I saw that guy on the Brooklyn Bridge the other day.

[CountryBob]

Time to send The Expendables in and straighten this shit out!

[WRESTLINGFAN]

Rural Whites prefer Ahmedinijad to Obama and the Persian press falls for it



http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/iranian-news-agency-plagiarizes-the-onion/

[hanso]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/304491_10151094125949032_1590475043_n.jpg

Netanyahu makes his case against Iran acquiring ACME bombs from one Wile E. Coyote – Super Genius.

Maybe he is the equivalent of McCain, just gots to get his war on.

[WRESTLINGFAN]

What good is the UN?

They couldn't stop a 2nd Carmegeddon this weekend on the 405

[A.J.]

Netanyahu Feeling Like Trip To US To Start World War III Went Pretty Well (http://www.theonion.com/articles/netanyahu-feeling-like-trip-to-us-to-start-world-w,29732/)