They're just a few squares away on the periodic table of elements, but one can be used to hoist a diamond and the other to build a nuclear warhead.
What’s happening
It’s suspicions about uranium that laid the foundation for war in Iraq and it's uranium that led to the debacle over the outed-CIA agent Valerie Plame -- and ultimately the indictment and resignation of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. It’s uranium that’s now heating things up with Iran, where production of enriched uranium – used in making nuclear warheads – is causing concern over how Iran plans to use it. While Iran says it's simply developing an alternative form of energy, talks are on the table: Six nations handed over a package of incentives and penalties in return for Iran's abandoment of its enrichment program. As of Thursday, Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is hinting he's ready to talk.
The big picture
The potential developing stand-off that harkens back to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 when the Soviets placed nuclear missiles aimed at the United States in Cuba, when "the other fellow just blinked" and nuclear war was avoided. In what could be the first time that Iran and the united states have had direct contact since 1979, did President Bush already blink? One report says in return for stopping its program, the United States will offer nuclear technology to Iran for different uses.
Wouldn't it be nicer to talk about platinum?
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