Opinion

February 9, 2012

Now is the time for a determined course of action on Iran

JINSA

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Counterpoint: Will AIPAC and Bibi get their war?

We should not be too surprised that Iran continues to defy international calls to open its nuclear program to greater scrutiny and transparency. Even as the toughest U.S. sanctions yet were enacted, and Europe was considering a ban on Iranian oil imports, the militant theocracy threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 40 percent of the world’s seaborne supply of crude oil flows. But such bluster, typical of the Tehran regime, was also accompanied by the usual call for new negotiations, this time with both the P5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany), and also with the EU. Such talks have been going on for years with little to show for the effort.

While the various sanctions imposed by our country on Iran since 1996 have certainly made life increasingly difficult for the Islamic Republic, these restrictions have not been adequately implemented by any U.S. administration to date. The result has been all too predictable - continued Iranian defiance and support of worldwide terrorism, accompanied by increased efforts to accelerate nuclear programs leading to weaponization capability.

U.S. policy must be to use all means to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran with its potential for a disastrous impact on the region. What is needed is the strictest application of the latest sanctions aimed at Iran’s Central Bank, with the administration’s strong encouragement for Europe to follow suit. Both France and the UK are actually ahead of our own country in this regard, and are making real attempts to get a number of European countries that rely on Iranian oil, such as Spain, Greece, and Italy, to join in banning these imports. A unified EU position is expected to be announced on January 23. Meanwhile, a full spectrum of covert actions should be intensified, along with “soft power” efforts to encourage Iran’s oppressed opposition to push for change. Such efforts should include more focused broadcasting by Radio Farda, the Iranian branch of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and the Voice of America. We must pursue opportunities to achieve real change in Iran, having squandered the potential for transformation in the aftermath of the 2009 sham elections there.

There is growing evidence that sanctions are beginning to bite deeply into the Islamic Republic’s economy. The Iranian currency, the rial, is trading at its lowest rate ever, while inflation and unemployment are rapidly increasing. Iran’s continued support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s bloody attempts to cling to power has severely hurt its standing among many Arab states, as well as with Turkey, which until now had been a particularly close ally.

It is likely that a number of countries, including Japan and South Korea, will seek the waivers that the Administration insisted be added to the most recently enacted sanctions bill, in order to continue their energy trade with Iran. Only under the most serious circumstances should these waivers be granted and the timetable for action on oil imports be extended. Sanctions will work only if the United States succeeds in getting friendly and not-as-friendly countries alike to change their trade patterns with Iran, which is so dependent on its oil revenues.

We should not expect Iranian goals and behavior to change unless the White House demonstrates a more consistent and forceful approach. With the newest sanctions offering the possibility of greater success, it is a propitious time for the United States to chart a determined course of action leading to the prevention of a nuclear-armed Iran, as well as regime change. With these goals in mind, the United States must remain committed to a policy of sanctions and other punitive measures until the menace of Iran as a nuclear power is overcome.

This article originally appeared on JINSA.com.

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A well written article. Many are dumbfounded why America is in the wait-and-see mode and still twiddling it’s thumbs. Iran has ignored the sanctions and it’s business as usual. They are ensuring that their nuclear program is not hindered by any country. Unless US and Israel hit them hard and fast, they will soon become a nuclear power. Just imagine… nuclear arsenal in the hands of these islamic lunatics who want to wipe Israel out of the map !!

Comment by Roland on 2/09/12 at 9:32 pm

Pardon,  but this is NO COUNTERPOINT to “Will AIPAC and Bibi get their way”; the latter a bald-faced ad hominem attack on the Republican presidential candidates. This article doesn’t even carry a by-line and speaks to a broad-brush generalization of those means employed and remaining for those nations seeking to ensure that Iran does (may) not obtain a nuclear weapon.

Presenting this pablum as antidote to the toxic MJ Rosenberg political hit piece smacks of employing a fly-swatter to subjugate a rogue elephant.

Your readers deserve better; much, much better!  Try again?                Aunty Mame

Comment by Mr. Againster on 2/09/12 at 9:54 pm

If you look at the history of JINSA, you will find the same people who brought us the disastrous war on Iraq. But don’t just take my word for it—which I know you won’t—but Colin Powell’s who told his biographer that those responsible for the Iraq War was “the JINSA crowd.” And Powell? He was just following orders like a good soldier.

Comment by HollywoodJeff on 2/09/12 at 9:55 pm

the people of Iran wanted a change in their government and the US leadership, ie obama, refused to back the call for democratic change. We know for a fact that Iran is behind much of the terrorism and incitement in the world and specifically against Israel. Why didn’t our president, the president who 78% of us voted for, back regime change in Iran like he did throughout the middle east.

Comment by Lou Adams on 2/09/12 at 11:15 pm

Iran is a country with science part of their cultural heritage. The constant desire of the West to prevent its development of nuclear capabilities is strikingly absurd. What if Iran’s policies were to change in the next few years? Would it still be prevented from pursuing nuclear science? Assassinating its scientists is an incredibly stupid act that in time will draw an eye for eye retribution.

Let Iran do its thing the way they have been and let’s rely on their pacifying reasons. Attacking them is preposterous. Were Iran to actually develop the launching capability of their promised threat they could be annihilated in the span of 24 hours with less than half a dozen nuclear missiles.

Comment by Alex Nodopaka on 2/10/12 at 10:09 am

Well said, Alex. Lou, by what right do you claim has the US to go around the world changing regimes it doesn’t like? As for worrying about stolen elections you might begin with Dubya’s “victory” in 2000. As for your “fact” about incitement to terrorism, I would suggest you examine first Israel’s policies. Before the ‘82 invasion there was no Hezbollah and before ‘87 no Hamas.

Comment by HollywoodJeff on 2/10/12 at 1:00 pm

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