Masques wrote:
I voted religious zealots...at home and abroad. Honestly, that's why Pakistan having nuclear weapons is more frightening for me than either Iran or the DPRK going nuclear. Say what you will about Iran, but it's probably one of the more stable societies in the region, save Israel or Turkey and if the current theocracy fell, the likely government waiting in the wings would most likely be better. North Korea having nukes doesn't fundamentally change the national security calculus for the US or the ROK as a pre-nuclear DPRK invasion of the south would have probably involved the US using tactical nukes and the likely destruction of the south...not much has changed as far as I can see.
Pakistan however is a different situation. Hell, Musharraf is a (fairly) good ally, but if he falls...
And I don't particularly cotton to the nuts here at home that feel that global death and carnage are a sign of the
"glorious return of Jesus Christ". Makes me wish their asses were already raptured up to wherever the fuck they're going so they can leave me to my pleasures of the flesh.
you are right. but, religious zealots, I dont think will have much of a long term effect on global history. These guys, are not necessarily government organizations and their influence could only extend for so many stupid, ignorant generations. The world, (thank....god?) is a much more secular place than it was at any time prior since the invention of religion. I think government bodies, in this case Iran with its theocracy, real fuckin strong history and sense of nationalistic pride is the main threat. They want to step up into the world stage and we dont want em to. But, from what Im learning bit by bit, the iranian government is more open to moderation and change, but ofcourse the situation in the big sand box is so fluid its hard to make any real concrete predictions.
Musharraf is our friend for now, i say for now because the that shit always seems to change in the middle east and central asia. but what I trip out on is the fact that Musharraf is in pakistan with the bomb and osama bin laden is right there in pakistan, closer than most people in the world are to nuclear weapons. What happens to Musharraf when he A)Dies or B)dies some more. Dictatorships never have happy endings. realigious zealots are indeed a serious threat, but I think only for the immediate, not long term. People eventually smarten out
