We’d like you to forget about nuclear weapons for a minute. Iran, even when it acquires nuclear weapons, is not likely to use them. Deploying nuclear weapons would, most likely, equate to Iran’s own demise, whether by the US, Israel, NATO or whomever else that’s armed and ready.
The acquisition of nuclear weapons is part of Iran’s strategy for regional hegemonic power. Now that it has secured a deal that pumps $100 billion into its economy, who needs nuclear weapons? Iran has cash, and cash is king, especially when dealing with disparate terrorist groups in desperate need of funds.
The corollary danger of this deal is the message it sends to Iran: We’re ready to do business without asking much in return. You can continue to jail our citizens, curse and denounce us, wage proxy wars in the most unstable region in the world, but we’ll help you rebuild your economy, making your goal of becoming the predominant regional power attainable.
A strong economy is arguably far more beneficial to Iran, especially in strengthening its role as patron to rogue nations and groups. One need only look at North Korea to recognize that nuclear weapons alone do not a powerhouse make. One needs money, control, influence and intimidation, too. With this deal, we’ve handed Iran all of them.
Is it a coincidence that Iran feels so confident it can ignore UN travel bans and send Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force, to Moscow, reportedly to encourage Russia to continue propping up Assad? These are the people we’re doing business with. The ones who want war and instability across the region. The ones who encourage Russian adventurism.
Sen. Michael Bennet tells us this deal is better than the “plausible alternative,” which he fails to elucidate. How is a deal that serves to revitalize an Iranian economy that is basically run by the Revolutionary Guard better than any alternative?
Sen. Bennet says we need to build a cohesive policy in the Middle East. He’s right — so why are we signing a deal with the most dangerous actor in the region when we have no cohesive strategy?
There’s one good argument that we’ve heard from Sen Bennet: If the US approves this deal, it’s in a better position to respond forcefully if and when Iran violates any of the terms. The logic is sound in theory. Unfortunately, our current leadership appears incapable of and unprepared to stand up to anyone.
Copyright © 2015 by the Intermountain Jewish News
