By Joe Carbonari
The Middle East is not a stable neighborhood. Governments have been toppled, civil wars have raged, countries have been invaded, and heads have been cut off, for show. Pressures are still building and bombs exploding. Irrationality abounds.
Should Iran decide to thumb its nose at the international community it could conceivably develop a nuclear weapon within two months. Diplomatically speaking, two months is a very short period of time. The Israelis would have to consider it a death threat. The Saudis and the entire Sunni Muslim world would consider themselves on a short list for intimidation at least, annihilation at worst.
Consider those two months. Our Congress in a cluster. Europe seeking consensus and direction. Russia and China are maneuvering behind closed doors. The world’s economy “on hold.” If I were running the show, I’d rather have a year or so to work things out, to calm things down, to seek reason.
In the end, Iran will have to curb itself, just as we all have to curb the irrational, the violent, and the malicious among us. Their regime, or its thinking, will have to change. The nations of the world can neither live with its current misbehavior and threat, nor allow it to add a nuclear arsenal to it.
Military action is the result of diplomacy failed. We need to keep talking, stay calm, and prepare ourselves. Critics included.
By Tim Baldwin
Political discussions have focused recently on the Iran nuclear deal. According to the president, this deal provides a way for the international community to prevent Iran from obtaining essential components to make a nuclear weapon and provide inspections to ensure Iran complies. Both Republicans and some Democrats oppose this deal, however. Opposition claims it will empower Iran further to develop nuclear capability, thus threatening world safety.
The terms of this deal have not been published. Apparently, most proponents of the deal have not even read it. Secretary of State John Kerry said in committee hearing, he was going to explain to Congress what he understood the deal to mean. Crafty, but what Kerry understands has little or no effect on what happens. It seems that before Congress can vote on the deal, the terms must be revealed. Then, the public needs to know so we can hold our representatives and president accountable.
The principle of self-defense requires nations to protect themselves against their enemies. Whether the deal accomplishes this is unknown. Given Iran’s hostility toward America, it is unlikely that any “deal” will improve Iran’s relations with us. It may provide a barrier, but the threat will remain. More foreign policy changes need to happen to improve America’s standing in the world, including diminishing our foreign entanglements and policing. Peace is enhanced by strong defenses, but also by prudent policies.