Iran is getting pre-emptive, moving its stores of foreign currency to banks other than European. I imagine most people will see this move as a defensive one, and that may be the case, but consider for a moment that this could very well be an offensive move. Or at the least an indication of a potential offensive stance. Then again it could simply be a matter of Iran being pragmatic. Who knows; it's hard to really tell with Ahmadinejad.

The "undisclosed locations" to which the currency is being wired, could very well be in Swiss bank accounts. Again, who knows? But this report in tandem with the news that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the Iranian President holding a summit of sorts to publicly announce a solidarity between their respective countries makes for interesting speculation.

It should come as no surprise that it is Syria who is choosing to stand with Iran. I have no doubt there are others, but Syria is perhaps the second biggest dog on the middle-eastern porch. Any other nation that declared solidarity with Iran would not get as much attention... At least from me. Both governments are facing possible confrontations with the UN Security Council, so perhaps they hold to the belief that there is strength in numbers, even if that number is only two. The shift of funds by Iran has obviously "alarmed" the West, which views the Iranian shell-game as an indication that Iran at least takes the UN's threats seriously. Again, a defensive posture, or an offensive one?

Aside from the threat of Nuclear retaliation-- a day which, thankfully, has not yet arrived --Mr. Ahmadinejad's biggest weapon at present is his ability to effect an oil shortage across the globe; a more immediate threat, and an event China, Russia, Europe and every other industrialized nation would like to avoid as much as [at present] the "other" threat.

That's not to say the thought of Iran in possession of nuclear weapons is not as frightening as a world-wide oil shortage, but let's face it, every industrialized nation on the face of the earth needs oil to keep its Industrial Machine running. Which only underscores the need to quicken research into Hydrogen Cell Technology and alternative sources of fuel to keep everyone on the road, going to work, shopping at the malls, the grocery stores... In short, driving their nations economies.

UPDATE: Tehran plans nuclear weapon test by March

What do you think? Does Iran want Nuclear Power only for peaceful means? If so, why are they planning to conduct weapons tests?



Iran Moving Its Foreign Currency Reserves
Syria backs a nuclear Iran