# Former UN Ambassador Bolton thinks israel needs to strike against Iran's nuclear capability now! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 4, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030 "2013-11-04T04:24:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Latro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@Latro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latro)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/61 "2013-11-06T13:37:06Z")
In a world where not everyone can carry a nuke, only criminals have nukes. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/62 "2013-11-06T14:01:17Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > You’re right, but why is that not also a concern with other nuclear powers, including the US and Israel? I mean, why is Iran special here? Because Iran’s government is inherently less stable than either the US or Israel. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/63 "2013-11-06T14:47:58Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > You’re right, but why is that not also a concern with other nuclear powers, including the US and Israel? I mean, why is Iran special here? > [@KarlGauss](#): > > Because Iran’s government is inherently less stable than either the US or Israel. It is, yes. It’s a byzantine and highly factionalized government where unelected religious leaders struggle for power with the military and elected officials. Fun stuff! And the concern is that nuclear technology or weapons could get to bad people (not just Al Qaeda) through a small faction of well placed people. I’m not saying it’s about to happen, but it’s a possibility you certainly want to avoid if possible. And I’m just as worried about Pakistan in that regard because that government is also deeply divided and deeply screwed up and involved with religious terrorists. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/64 "2013-11-06T18:31:41Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > I think you didn’t address this: > [@](#): > > . . . concern that Iran may . . . accidentally (i.e. by diversion without their permission), or as a result of regime change . . . Iran may be more vulnerable than say, France, but to me its a moot point to consider that a country the size of Iran will topple the way of Tunisia, Libya, or Egypt. Plus, whoever comes into power would still have the same sense of self-preservation than the previous regime has. I think Iran will watch it their stash like a hawk and it will not fall into the wrong hands any more than Israel’s stash would or the US or France. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/65 "2013-11-06T18:42:25Z")
So, if I understand correctly, the problem with Iran is they have crazy people like Bolton in high posts. People like Bolton scare the shit out of me. And countries why give people like Bolton high posts scare me even more. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/66 "2013-11-06T19:29:33Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Incidentally you’re talking to someone who’s RL first name is Ali and has has had to correct many people(most of whom weren’t stupid or bigoted) who assumed I was an Arab. Ooh! Ooh! Are you [this person](http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/56/5614/E8RVG00Z/posters/ali-macgraw.jpg)? 'Cos if you are, I’ve always wanted to tell you how much I admire your . . . body . . . of work. P.S. Bolton is a no-talent assclown who’s also a hotheaded jerk. The fact that he has EVER had the title of “Ambassador” associated with his name is one of the supreme ironies of twenty-first century U.S. foreign policy. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/67 "2013-11-06T19:34:19Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > So, if I understand correctly, the problem with Iran is they have crazy people like Bolton in high posts. That’s a mighty big “If.” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/68 "2013-11-06T19:38:11Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > So, if I understand correctly, the problem with Iran is they have crazy people like Bolton in high posts. > [@Marley23](#): > > That’s a mighty big “If.” Granted, it IS a pretty big “if.” Still, even if it’s not _THE_ problem, it’s certainly _A_ problem… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/69 "2013-11-06T19:49:36Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Granted, it IS a pretty big “if.” > > Still, even if it’s not _THE_ problem, it’s certainly _A_ problem… It’s a different kettle of fish. It’s absurd that a guy like Bolton was named UN ambassador, but that’s all he was, and he was put there by an elected government. Iran has a different system and a lot of crazier people. “Clown,” as **Great Antibob** said upthread, or “giant asshole” is probably a more apt description of this guy. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/70 "2013-11-06T20:45:04Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Ooh! Ooh! Are you [this person](http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/56/5614/E8RVG00Z/posters/ali-macgraw.jpg)? > > 'Cos if you are, I’ve always wanted to tell you how much I admire your . . . body . . . of work. > > P.S. Bolton is a no-talent assclown who’s also a hotheaded jerk. The fact that he has EVER had the title of “Ambassador” associated with his name is one of the supreme ironies of twenty-first century U.S. foreign policy. No. I wish I was that good looking. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/71 "2013-11-06T20:46:16Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > So, if I understand correctly, the problem with Iran is they have crazy people like Bolton in high posts. People like Bolton scare the shit out of me. And countries why give people like Bolton high posts scare me even more. I’m no fan of Bolton, but he’s not remotely in the same league as the leaders in Iran. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/72 "2013-11-06T20:46:28Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > It’s a different kettle of fish. It’s absurd that a guy like Bolton was named UN ambassador, but that’s all he was, and he was put there by an elected government. Iran has a different system and a lot of crazier people. “Clown,” as **Great Antibob** said upthread, or “giant asshole” is probably a more apt description of this guy. Plus he couldn’t get confirmed by the Senate, and thus only served a short term due to a recess appointment, before having his nomination withdrawn in favour of someone else. So the system (kinda) works! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030/73 "2013-11-06T20:59:22Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > I’m no fan of Bolton, but he’s not remotely in the same league as the leaders in Iran. He’s a lot crazier than President Rouhani, at any rate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-un-ambassador-bolton-thinks-israel-needs-to-strike-against-irans-nuclear-capability-now/673030.md?page=3)