Deterring Iran

Submitted by Maurice Picow (Israel), May 10, 2006 at 08:23

From the very beginning, the main issue has not been whether or not Iran should be allowed to have a nuclear reactor. The crux of the problem is Iran's desire to acquire more powerful and more sophisticated weapons, including nuclear leapons and other WMD's . While it was bad enough when previous Iranian leaders voiced their harsh rhetoric towards the West in general, and Israel in particular, the messages now being emitted by Iran's present ruling junta, in particular from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, are fearful indeed. By allowing Iran to proceed on its unranium enrichment program, it's only a matter of time before Iran will have joined Pakistan as a manufacturer and possessor of nuclear weapons.

As the 'nuclear debate' on Iran continues, and the U.N. becomes forced to impose harsh economic and political sanctions on the Islamic Republic, Iran's leaders will be even more imposed to go ahead with their nuclear program as they see that they are becoming more and more isolated.

Other than a full scale invasion or massive air attack against that country, the consequences of which may be as bad or worse than anyone can imagine; the optimal solution is for Iran's population, especially the young, educated ones, to say "enough is enough" and take the situation into their own hands to change the present ruling system.

This is an easier option for Iranians to do than, say, the citizens of North Korea, who are much more oppressed and intimidated. While North Korea also presents a proposed nuclear danger (and they already have developed some nuclear weapons) Iran's threat to the stability of the Middle East - especially to the State of Israel - is presently much more real.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".