Iran is a terrorist nation pursuing nuclear capabilities and is a threat to the security of the United States.\u00a0 Is the president’s approach of “diplomacy with no illusion (while) pursuing a tough, direct dialogue” enough?\u00a0\u00a0 The president said Iran should “take its rightful place in the community of nations,” but does it have any intention of abandoning terrorism or nuclear expansion?<\/p>\n
According to Fawaz A. Gerges of Sarah Lawrence College and author of “The Far Enemy:\u00a0 Why Jihad Went Global,” Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his ruling Guardian Council of clerics are convinced their approach has led to prestige and recognition of Iran in world politics.<\/p>\n
Iran continues aiding and abetting terrorists who kill our military personnel.\u00a0 And it ignores the world’s empty demands and moves ahead with its nuclear program.\u00a0 So, what do we do?\u00a0 Let’s look at similar difficult situations the United States had with Russia and Libya.<\/p>\n
When President Reagan took office, he refused to continue the Cold War impasse with Russia; instead, publically calling Russia what it was, an “evil empire.”\u00a0 Further, he challenged Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down” the Berlin Wall.<\/p>\n
Along with the public reproaches, Reagan met face to face with Gorbachev; his opening statement to the Russian leader, “Mr. Gorbachev, let me explain why it is we distrust you.”\u00a0 Blunt and to the point; simple, straightforward honesty.<\/p>\n
President Reagan’s approach to Libya was decidedly different, though equally honest and straightforward.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 He was not dealing with someone who wanted change, who wanted to develop a long term relationship.\u00a0 Instead, he was dealing with an unpredictable terrorist bent on our destruction.<\/p>\n
Again abandoning the prior policy toward Libya, he ordered the closing of the Libyan People’s Bureau in Washington, held naval maneuvers in the Gulf of Sidra leading to United States jets shooting down two Libyan fighters, and ordered American citizens in Libya to return to the United States. This continued until, in 1986, Libyan terrorists planted a bomb in a Berlin nightclub frequented by United States military personnel.<\/p>\n
Just 10 days later, the United States launched air strikes on Tripoli and Benghazi.\u00a0 Although some experts debate the correctness of this action, Gadhafi has been remarkably quiet since.<\/p>\n
President Reagan understood each of these men’s character.\u00a0 He knew Gorbachev was a man with whom he could negotiate and befriend and he knew Gadhafi was just an unpredictable thug.<\/p>\n
So, is Ahmadinejad more like Gorbachev or Gadhafi?\u00a0 How do we deal with Iran?\u00a0 We cannot continue, like children in a sandbox, drawing a line in the sand and telling the bully to not cross it or else; and then when he does, re-draw the line and re-issue the same empty threat.\u00a0 We cannot continue to speak softly and not carry a big stick.
\nIran is and will continue to be a threat to our troops and a threat to our national security.\u00a0 President Obama needs to return to the tough talk he used during the campaign, when he described Ahmadinejad as “reckless, irresponsible, and a threat to all of us.”\u00a0 He needs to follow through with his warning that global leaders must do whatever it takes to stop Iran from enriching uranium and acquiring nuclear weapons.<\/p>\n
Although the president’s willingness to meet with Ahmadinejad is commendable; he must demand, rather than suggest, a precondition to any dialogue is Iran stopping all terrorist activities and dismantling its nuclear program.\u00a0 If that occurs, the president’s first statement to Ahmadinejad should be, “Mr. Ahmadinejad, let me explain why it is we distrust you.”<\/p>\n
Iran has control of its future and its relationship with the United States.\u00a0 It alone dictates the response of the United States–diplomacy or hostility.\u00a0 If it continues as a terrorist nation, then we will eliminate the terrorists in Iran.\u00a0 If it continues developing nuclear capabilities, then we will destroy its nuclear program.\u00a0 Iran is a threat to the United States and it must choose our response – an olive branch or a club.<\/p>\n
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