Monday, October 20, 2008

Preventing nuclear Iran


New Approaches to Halt Iran's Nuclear Program -Bennett Ramberg

The West cannot buy the mullahs off. The time has come to explore another approach, one that challenges the values that sustain Iran's atomic ambitions. For the mullahs, one value dominates - preservation of the theocratic regime.

In this view a nuclear Iran provides security, international influence, and prestige while buttressing popular support. Iran's values, however, can become the West's sword.

[Nuclear capacity] will make the regime less secure. Iran will become an American and Israeli nuclear bulls-eye in this era of preemption. Reinforce this point with a U.S./NATO security guarantee to Israel: A nuclear attack on the Jewish state will result in Iran's extinction.
(Jerusalem Post)

1 comment:

LHwrites said...

I am not sure they will use the word 'extinction' but a guarantee of nuclear retaliation would seem reasonable and appropriate. Iran may feel the complicated world stage will shield it, but the West has to make it clear that no ally will be nuked and ignored.