The United States and Iran have been enemies since the 1979. The theocratic regime in Iran has labeled the U.S. the “Great Satan”. It has also funded terrorist organizations in the Middle East bent on destroying Israel but it is Iran’s nuclear weapons program that presents the greatest danger to the United States. Iran has publicly stated its intention to destroy Israel and strike at U.S. interests in the region. The U.S. has tried diplomatic pressure, negotiations and U.N. sanctions but they have failed to deter Iran from pursuing its nuclear weapons program. If it is discovered that Iran is on the verge of completing a nuclear weapon, the President will be forced into a difficult decision. One thing is clear: Iran’s nuclear program, its support of terrorism and regional ambitions make it a major threat to the United States, its allies and to stability in the region.

First, a little background on Iran. It is a country of 67 million people that are well-educated and very young. The median age in Iran is 27.6 years old (the median age in the U.S. is 36.7). Unlike the rest of the Middle East, Iran is ethnically Persian, not Arab. Surprisingly, the Iranian people generally like Americans. It is only the radical fundamentalist government that has such disdain for Americans. Politically, Iran often stands alone or with Syria creating a clear split between pro-U.S. Arab States in the region and the small contingent of anti-U.S. States.

The Fundamentalist Iranian regime came to power in 1979 after overthrowing the pro-U.S. Shah government. The current government is a fundamentalist Muslim theocracy that rejects Western culture and views Israel as its sworn enemy. The government enforces strict interpretations of Islamic Law which oppress the rights of women and others. For decades, Iran has armed and funded terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, which have attacked Israel countless times.

In 2005, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power promising a radical hard-line administration that would aggressively pursue its nuclear program despite international pressure. During his first term the Iranian economy has suffered severely due to reduced trade, economic sanctions and mismanagement by the government. A country with vast oil reserves relies on foreign countries to refine and supply its gasoline. In 2009, Ahmadinejad won a second election that most believe was based on fraudulent results. His reported landslide victory angered the Iranian people and spawned the “Green Revolution”. The Green Revolution is a pro-democratic movement that includes millions of young Iranians. Thus far, they have engaged in peaceful protests only.

However, the Green Revolution has not deterred President Ahmadinejad his aggressive policies. Israel has demanded the international community stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons by any means necessary. Israel has dealt with nuclear threats before. In the mid-1980s Israeli fighters destroyed an Iraqi nuclear facility that was being used to enrich Uranium. In 2007, Israeli fighters destroyed a nuclear facility in Syria as well. Neither resulted in war. There have been discussions within Israel about a similar strike on Iran.

Israel is a key ally of the United States and one of the few democracies in the region. A nuclear armed Iran is an existential threat to Israel which cannot be tolerated.

President Bush engaged Iran in several rounds of diplomatic negotiations but only slowed Iran’s nuclear program. President Bush pressed hard for sanctions and got the U.N. Security Council to impose weak sanctions in 2006, 2007 and 2008. President Obama successfully persuaded the U.N. Security Council to impose a fourth set of weak sanctions on Iran but sanctions have failed to persuade Iran to shut down its nuclear program.

Recently, there has been more talk of military action against Iran. The attack would likely be precision strikes, not an invasion or a nation-building mission. Some argue it is the only way to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Young Americans are VERY weary of another long war and nation-building mission in the Middle East. Most are eager to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan and certainly have no interest in starting a third conflict. Precision strikes could trigger Iranian retaliation against American Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Iranian threat poses a very complicated problem with no clear solution.

President Obama’s “reset” of relations with Iran clearly failed. Not only did negotiations fail, but President Obama said very little in support of the anti-government movement in Iran. While young Iranians are defying their oppressive government in the streets, Obama seemed more interested in negotiating with that oppressive government. There is also no indication President Obama is willing to use military force against Iran under any circumstances. It appears he is willing to tolerate a nuclear Iran or unwilling to do what it takes to stop them.

There is no guarantee that NOT attacking Iran will preserve peace. With a nuclear deterrent, Iran may become more aggressive toward its neighbors and towards the United States. They may use it to bully us out of the region knowing that the Americans will do anything to avoid another war. Such a posture invites aggression.

Young Americans must also actively support the Green Revolution and pressure the U.S. Government to do the same. By supporting this faction and promoting regime-change in Iran, we are likely to find a more friendly party to negotiate with. A popularly elected government would be far more friendly towards the U.S.

Diplomacy has had no success in stopping Iran’s nuclear program. The U.N. sanctions are weak because Russia and China will not agree to harsher sanctions that may threaten their trade relations with Iran. The U.S. is running out of options. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mullen stated, a military attack will have adverse consequences but a nuclear Iran would be worse. Many in the region feel the same way. It may come down to a military strike by either the U.S. or Israel. President Obama must acknowledge that diplomacy has failed and be prepared to use the military option if necessary. A nuclear Iran is unacceptable.

Author Bio: J. Wesley Fox is the Chairman of Restore America’s Legacy PAC. He is a recent graduate of DePaul University College of Law and has been active in local and national politics for several years. He currently lives in New Jersey after growing up in the Chicago suburbs.www.restoreamericaslegacy.com

Category: Politics
Keywords: Iran, nuclear weapons, UN sanctions, President Obama, Green Revolution, democracy, Israel, military