Recently I wrote about Clinton’s comments about developing a defense system to deal with a nuclear Iran. Basically her remarks indicated that the US has no intention of physically forcing Iran to relinquish such a program. Rather the US plans to continue to punish Iran with sanctions while developing “defense umbrellas” for United States allies. However Israel appears to be less than satisfied with these remarks. In the event that Iran develops nuclear capabilities, Israel will be in serious danger of attack. Simply having precautionary defense programs in place does not always relinquish fear if you are facing an unstable nation with nuclear weapons.
Clinton had these remarks about building up a nuclear shield, “We want Iran to calculate what I think is a fair assessment: that if the US extends a defense umbrella over the region, if we do even more to support the military capacity of those in the Gulf, it is unlikely Iran will be any stronger or safer . . . they won’t be able to intimidate and dominate as they apparently believe they can once they have a nuclear weapon.”
Israel was less than satisfied with this plan from Clinton and the Obama administration. Israeli Intelligence Services Minister Dan Meridor commented, “I heard without enthusiasm the American declarations according to which the United States will defend their allies in the event that Iran uses nuclear weapons, as if they were already resigned to such a possibility . . . this is a mistake . . . we cannot act now by assuming that Iran will be able to arm itself with a nuclear weapon, but to prevent such a possibility.”
I have to admit that I completely agree with Israel. Conceding to a nuclear Iran is simply insane. I know that we are in a place of economic turmoil and that our nation is weary of war. However this plan just doesn’t sit well with me. I feel as though the plan is “let the Iranians procure weapons and we will do our best to discourage them from using the weapons.” That answer just isn’t good enough for me.
Surely there has to be a better way.
