Reader Question: United States and a Nuclear Iran

by Eric on February 14, 2012

Nuclear Iran

As the editor of this site, I get many questions, rants, and opinions by comment and email. Some of them are interesting. Some of them are racist. Some do not warrant a response, others do. I received a very logical question about the relationship of the United States and Israel pertaining to an Iranian nuclear threat.

The Question

In response to your statement “The balance of power in the Middle East is at risk, and it is vital that Israel not wait until it is too late to keep Iran from having nuclear weapons. The United States is fully able to prevent this path, but it seems unwilling to make any solid steps today.” I am confused. Please explain to me just how the US is “fully able to prevent”anything between these 2 country’s when 1 of these country’s has publicly declared their full unwavering intentions are to wipe out the other? How could the US do anything positive?Negotiations won’t work, other than muddying the waters, and drawing the US into another war, by being forced to declare a side and fight on their behalf. The Muslim country’s do not want the US “Butting in” to negotiate and will not come to any agreement the US were to propose. History has proven that the US “Political Intervention” is not wanted, welcomed, nor tolerated. Only scoffed at and used for political and financial gain of the other country via various aid, (Military/Financial, etc.) Thanks.

My Response

The United States can prevent Iran from wiping out Israel by taking proactive steps to protect its ally. While I agree that the Muslims, such as those in Iran, do not want the United States trying to influence negotiations, the US has become a leader in diplomatic affairs in the Middle East. As an important strategic ally, it is in the best interest of the United States to help Israel survive the existential threats posed by Iran. In the same sense, Israel is reliant on its fellow Democracy, the US, for military support.

This is a symbiotic relationship for both countries. While negotiations will not working, moves like freezing the assets of the Central Bank of Iran and working to arrange international embargoes of Iranian oil may help. If not, a swift military intervention would certainly do the trick. While Israel is the primary focus of Iranian hatred, they are not too fond of the United States either. Preventing a nuclear Iran is in the best interest of the United States, Israel, European Union, and the rest of the Middle East.

Your Response

I am not the only Israel expert that reads this blog. I would appreciate if you would chime in as well. I am interested to see what you all think when it comes to the United States intervening against a nuclear Iran in the comments below.

Image by futureatlas.com

About the author

Eric Eric is the founder and editor of IsraelSituation.com. He has been to Israel many times including a semester at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the former president of the Israel advocacy group at the University of Colorado and teaches about Israel and the Media at a local religious school.

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Tagged as: Foreign Relations, Iran, Nuclear Weapons, Security, United States

  • http://andyboy1.com Andyboy

    Firstly, I must declare a vested interest. When the tens of thousands of missiles of Iran’s proxies (Hezbullah and Hamas) land, it will be on my head. Note, I say “when” and not “if”, since I am certain the the feeble response of the West,in general, and America, in particular, to the Iranian threat, will eventually result in some kind of war, wanted or not.

    I take the “existential threat” very personally so, maybe, that clouds rational judgment. But rational argument doesn’t really work in this region of the World. The only way to stop what is happening in Iran is force. Overwhelming, overpowering force – and, above all, the determination to win at all costs.
    Unfortunately, The West’s performance in Iraq and Afghanistan does not give me great comfort.

    In the past few days those of us originating from the UK, have had cause to remember two significant events in our history. The first was the carpet bombing of the German city of Dresden during the second World War. The Second was the Falklands war, especially the sinking of the Argentinian warship, the Belgrano. The determination displayed by Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher is sorely lacking in today’s Politically Correct world.

    What we in Britain once hailed as great victories would today have resulted in both Churchill and Thatcher being hauled in front of the European courts on war crimes charges.

    It is impossible to influence or defeat dictatorships, or hostile Muslim entities, playing by some set of “rules of war” or hiding behind diplomatic niceties.
    Only when these regimes understand that their actions will not be tolerated, and that they will face possible obliteration if they continue, will they even consider a change of direction.

    Given the current Western leadership, the constraints of the United Nations and, probably, an international feeling that it’s not worth risking world conflict just for Israel, I assume that, once again, when push comes to shove, we are on our own.

    So now I have to go; I need to prepare my sealed room and survival kit. Well, it’s not the first time since I made aliyah.

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