搜索关注在线英语听力室公众号:tingroom,领取免费英语资料大礼包。
(单词翻译)
AS IT IS 2015-04-12 Nuclear Deal Could Lead to Increased Influence for Iran 核协议将增强伊朗影响力
Negotiators are trying to reach an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities. The deal would include an easing of international sanctions against Iran. The restrictions1 were designed to punish Iran for its nuclear activities.
Some observers believe a final agreement would help Iran expand its influence in the Middle East.
Representatives from Iran, the United States and five other countries recently agreed on a plan for future negotiations2 on Iran’s nuclear program. Negotiators now hope to reach a final agreement by the end of June.
As the talks move forward, some governments have raised other concerns about Iran, including its support for Houthi rebels in Yemen. They are also concerned about Iran’s assistance in Iraq in the fight against Islamic State militants4 and its ties to Hezbollah, the Shi’ite militant3 group based in Lebanon.
One of the most outspoken5 critics of a stronger Iran is Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticized the deal reached in Switzerland this month.
“The deal would greatly bolster7 Iran’s economy. It would give Iran thereby8 tremendous means to propel its aggression9 and terrorism throughout the Middle East.”
But United States officials say a nuclear deal may actually help reduce threats from Iran. Marie Harf is with the State Department.
“One of the reasons we are so committed to seeing if we can prevent them from getting a nuclear weapon is, if you can imagine how much power they're able to project today, they would be able to project ever more power if that was backed up by a nuclear weapon.”
Kelsey Davenport studies efforts to stop the spread of weapons. She says an Iran nuclear deal might lead to more unrest in the Middle East.
“Any agreement that left Iran with a nuclear infrastructure10 was going to be a bad deal.”
Emanuele Ottolenghi is a Middle East expert at the Foundation for the Defense11 of Democracies. He says people should be worried that the easing of sanctions might empower Iran. He spoke6 to VOA on SKYPE.
“It will be a great boost to Iran’s wealth, which the regime has used as a tool to influence regional foreign policy, to fund terrorist movements, to advance its goals, to enhance Iran’s role as a leader in the non-aligned movement. The sky is the limit…”
Emanuele Ottolenghi says several countries would likely feel most threatened by an empowered Iran. One of them is Israel. Another would be Saudi Arabia, which he says competes with Iran.
“There is a, an irreconcilable12 rivalry13 between the two countries and the ruling elites14 as both aspire15 to be the beacon16 and, and guide, and sort of global power in the Islamic world. These two things cannot be reconciled.”
He says the changes should help countries that enjoyed trade relations with Iran before the sanctions were put in place.
Words in This Story
sanction(s) – n. an action taken to force a country to obey international rules or laws; a measure designed to limit or stop trade with that country
outspoken – adj. speaking in an honest, open way about one’s opinions
regime – n. a government or administration
empower(ed) – v. to give power to someone (or something)
1 restrictions | |
约束( restriction的名词复数 ); 管制; 制约因素; 带限制性的条件(或规则) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 negotiations | |
协商( negotiation的名词复数 ); 谈判; 完成(难事); 通过 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 militant | |
adj.激进的,好斗的;n.激进分子,斗士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 militants | |
激进分子,好斗分子( militant的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 outspoken | |
adj.直言无讳的,坦率的,坦白无隐的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 bolster | |
n.枕垫;v.支持,鼓励 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 thereby | |
adv.因此,从而 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 aggression | |
n.进攻,侵略,侵犯,侵害 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 infrastructure | |
n.下部构造,下部组织,基础结构,基础设施 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 defense | |
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 irreconcilable | |
adj.(指人)难和解的,势不两立的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 rivalry | |
n.竞争,竞赛,对抗 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 elites | |
精华( elite的名词复数 ); 精锐; 上层集团; (统称)掌权人物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 aspire | |
vi.(to,after)渴望,追求,有志于 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 beacon | |
n.烽火,(警告用的)闪火灯,灯塔 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
本文本内容来源于互联网抓取和网友提交,仅供参考,部分栏目没有内容,如果您有更合适的内容,欢迎 点击提交 分享给大家。