NY Times 9.26 Will Sanctions Work?

The obsession driving Iran’s leadership has never been the development of peaceful nuclear energy for their consuming public. In spite of strategically designed stalling tactics on their part, the immediate goal is the development of nuclear weapons, export of nuclear technology and ultimately destruction of the state of Israel. The Iranians are rank amateurs at deception as this latest fiasco of the extra nuclear facility so vividly demonstrates.

In spite of president Obama’s reminder to the U.N. General Assembly that America can no longer act unilaterally in solving international problems, this latest Iranian example demands a U.S. response that exceeds weak sanctions. Israel will not remain idle, ignore the threat and allow its own destruction. Most Americans, when asked, support the Jewish state in defending its nation. Obama’s healthcare, cap and trade, and other minor program priorities have now been placed on the back burner. The president will either forgo diplomatic fantasy or the Israeli’s will destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities, hopefully with U.S. support and assistance. The problem of Israeli settlements is at best a distraction from the real threat to middle east peace.

The American presidency has always been a powerful position of public representation, strong informed decision making, and use of force in the defense of vital national security interests. Munich proved in the later 1930’s the utter bankruptcy of appeasement. Sanctions alone when instituted by the U.N. with dictators in the past have been totally ineffective.

This ongoing nuclear challenge from Iran threatens the peace of the region and holds the entire world hostage to their fanatical whims. I personally will support presidential toughness and resolve in eliminating Iran’s nuclear facilities. In the words of an old oil filter commercial, “pay me now or pay me later.” These facilities need to be destroyed before they mature into incubators for weapons of mass destruction, to be used on Israel and other nations, no alternative exists.

Dr. Phillips
Illinois