Posted on 15th June 2010 by Silvana Gomes in Politics
Brazil, Brazil United Nations, brazilian, Diplomacy, diplomat, diplomatic, foreign policy, Iran, Nuclear, peace, Politics, United Nations, war, weapons
Not too long ago, Iran finally agreed to send out some of its very divisive uranium out of the country. This actually revives a stalled agreement put together by the UN. This agreement works to monitor Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Many leaders see the Brazil diplomatic victory towards peace with Iranian nuclear deal as a new phase in talks, while others are approaching the deal with caution.
Even though this may be a minor step in the right direction for peace, Iran has not promised to stop its divisive uranium enrichment development. The halt of this program, and others like it, is what most Western nations want from Iran. Why? Simply because these types of programs are seen as a threat to world peace and stability.
Many countries see this deal as a victory, however, some countries are not convinced of Iran’s intentions. Whatever their intentions may be, Iran has successfully halted the sanctions process, or at least postponed it. This deal makes resolving the nuclear issue a more tangible goal, at least more so than it was previously.
Some countries are confused by Iran. Simply because Iran says that its uranium enrichment program is being developed solely for peaceful energy uses, but yet, it will not let international monitors oversee their nuclear production. This sends out mixed messages to the international community and troubles world leaders across the globe.
The priority that Iran gives to privacy regarding the issue is what worries many global leaders. The logic behind this is that if Iran is not doing anything against international law, why does it insist on hiding its program? However weary some countries may be on this topic, Iran exporting some of its uranium is a step in the right direction for a resolution to the conflict.
Even if people may feel conflicted over Brazil diplomatic victory towards peace with Iranian nuclear deal, this deal has for the meantime halted increased sanctions on Iran. Before this deal was in affect, many countries were working to increase sanctions on this country. Since the deal, talks of increased sanctions have stalled, at least for the meanwhile.
Read complete information and details on the Obama letter to Lula regarding Iranian nuclear talks and see the interesting arguments given. When you read the original Obama letter, you will see how a Brazilian diplomatic victory can be achieved easily.
Posted on 16th December 2009 by Jeff Kamar in Politics
armies, collectables, flail, history, mace, maces, Politics, rome, spear, spears, swords, war, weapons
Though today we live in an age where such weapons are considered by many to simply be the pathetic tools of a technologically inferior age, there is something noble about swords and other melee weapons of days gone by.
The sword in particular has a special place in the hearts of many. Perhaps it is because it is the preferred weapon of duelists, and we find something special about the idea of two men facing off, skill against skill.
Whatever the reason, though, it is undeniable that the sword is the most common weapon when it comes to popular culture melee weapons. Be it the curved grace of the Japanese katana, or the simple efficiency of an Italian rapier, swords have a tendency to show up when you need to suitably epic duel.
The sword isn’t the only melee weapon to talk about though. The spear in particular needs special mention; a weapon regarded by many to be superior to the sword in every way except for being easy to carry. There is an old saying: To defeat a spear user takes three times the skill it would take to defeat a similarly talented sword wielder.
It is of course no surprise then that spears have served as the main weapons for armies since the dawn of human history. Almost every army has used spears as their main weapon of war, and for good reason: They are simple to produce, and have a brutal, simple efficiency that is almost impossible to match.
The last class of weapons, bludgeons, is overlooked even more often than polearms. But maces, warhammers, and flails all have their own uses, even if they aren’t as graceful or pretty as the other weapons; their brutal efficiency simply cannot be ignored.
In particular, a bludgeoning weapon can have devastating effect when employed against armored foes. It is for this reason that at several points in history, western knights preferred maces and flails over swords as their sidearms.
Though not really a weapon, I feel this article would be incomplete without a mention of shields. Despite being even less popular in popular culture than other melee fighting weapons, the fact remains that the man with a shield is often the last man standing.
A skilled fighter can defeat almost any attack with a good shield in his hands, and the best can use them as a brutally effective bludgeon. Dual-wielding may be popular in movies and games, but I’ll take a shield for my off hand any day in real life.
That’s all I have to say about melee weapons today. I hope you’ve learned a little about the weapons that defined our history for so many years, and that you give them at least a little respect even in a world with guns and bombs.
Long to read more from this author? Check out my blog, where I write on everything from Roman Swords to Armor Clothing, plus everything else related to armor past plus present!
