Iran's nuclear progress is slow

It looks as though the Iranis have not made much progress on the nuclear program. They're way behind their own schedule:

Iran had said it would be operating three cascades by now, each with 164 centrifuges able to enrich uranium. Instead, one cascade is assembled and is working only sporadically.

"Their progress is far less than expected," said David Albright, a nuclear expert who is president of the Institute for Science and International Security. "Whether it's because of technical problems or self-restraint it's hard to gauge, but I don't think the U.S. can deliver on its promise to get hard sanctions when Iran is barely progressing."

Russia and China were reluctant to impose sanctions even before the report came out, playing down the need just weeks after U.S. officials felt they had received assurances from both countries to support such measures. Although many countries appear to share U.S. suspicions about Iran's intentions, they have profound differences with the Bush administration over how to respond and are apprehensive about the goals of a U.S. president who has said that "all options are on the table" in dealing with Tehran.

But, will that stop Bush & Co. from frothing at the mouth about this? Don't bet on it. It still sounds like they're beating the drums of war. But, that's not new either, is it? Sounds just like to run up to Iraq to me.

Maybe they've got enough enriched uranium to light the dial on their Mickey Mouse watch by now.