Hot Topic: Iran's Nuclear Program

The current commotion regarding Iran revolves around development of nuclear technology. Iran claims that they are developing nuclear capability for use as an alternative, clean, efficient energy source. Many countries, including the United States, Israel, and countries in the European Union consider Iran’s nuclear program a major threat. They believe Iran is secretly developing a nuclear weapons program.

Iran signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but violated its safeguards agreement by developing a uranium-enrichment program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), after inspection, has released evidence that they consider credible that suggests Iran has carried out activities related to the development of a nuclear device.

The United States and the European Union have imposed economic sanctions against Iran in order to cut them off from the international financial system and pressure Tehran to end their nuclear program. In response, Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, and also to cut off sales of Iranian oil to at least six nations of the EU.

Here is a link to the New York Times Topic Page for Iran: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/iran/index.html?ref=topics

So, the controversial question follows: Does Iran have the right to develop a nuclear program for peaceful intentions (i.e. energy)? Vote below!

Does Iran have the right to develop a nuclear program for peaceful intentions (i.e. energy)?

The Long Awaited Facebook IPO: Boom or Bust?

Yesterday (2/1/2012), Facebook filed their S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to begin the paperwork for their Initial Public Offering (IPO). They are looking to raise $5 billion with their IPO, with a total company valuation upwards of $100 billion. The social media giant's IPO has been the most widely anticipated and is the latest in a string of tech IPOs that came out starting in 2011. This string includes Groupon, LinkedIn, and Zynga, all of which were considered "failures" on the Street.

In 2011, Facebook earned $1 billion in profit on $3.7 billion on revenue. 84% of their revenue came from advertising. Following Eric Schmidt (Google), Larry Page (Google), Larry Ellison (Oracle), Meg Whitman (HP), and Steve Jobs (Apple), CEO Mark Zuckerberg will be taking the traditional Silicon Valley salary cut in 2013; his salary will be $1 annually.

Given the hype around Facebook, the company's revenue potential, and the anticipation of its IPO, will Facebook perform well on the stock exchange? Or will it's fate be of the likes of LinkedIn or Zynga or Groupon? Cast your vote now!

Will Facebook's IPO be a boom or a bust?