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Third Time's the Charm? Don't Count On It

from the March 04, 2008 eNews issue
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On Monday the United Nations Security Council passed economic sanctions against Iran in an attempt to prevent the Islamic nation from developing nuclear weapons. It is the third time the UN has imposed sanctions, it did so previously in December 2006 and March 2007. However the Security Council's efforts have been more symbolic than substantial. The UN sanctions are little more than a slap on the wrist. It might hurt a little, but it won't stop them. In fact, it probably won't even slow them down.

Iran's nuclear program has long been the subject of debate. It is viewed by most as one of the greatest threats to our security. Yet some have condemned efforts to stem Iran's nuclear ambitions as hypocritical. One such commentator wrote, "The US government cannot make a reasonable case as to why it's OK for Israel to have a stockpile of nuclear warheads but it's not OK for any other nation in the Middle East to pursue nuclear weapons technology." However such cursory remarks do not take into account some of the key dynamics behind the Middle East conflict.

Iran is governed by Shiite Muslim clerics committed to a stern interpretation of Islamic law. Hatred of the United States has been a key component of Iranian foreign policy since the 1978 Islamic revolution, and Iran's leaders often refer to the United States as the "Great Satan." Iran's distaste for the United States is surpassed only by their utter loathing of Israel. Iran's political and religious leaders have repeatedly called for Israel's complete destruction.

The State Department calls the Islamic Republic of Iran the world's "most active state sponsor of terrorism." Iran continues to provide funding, weapons, training, and sanctuary to numerous terrorist groups including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Iran uses such groups to carry out a proxy war on Israel and the West. It is therefore folly to allow Iran, and consequently its terrorist allies, to obtain nuclear technology.

Over the past five decades Israel has developed a nuclear-weapons program but has neither denied nor admitted the existence of its nuclear arsenal. Israelis call this policy "strategic ambiguity." Israel is surrounded on all sides by enemies bent on bringing about its destruction. Israel, therefore, developed its nuclear program to serve as a deterrent. Israel's nuclear arsenal is one of the primary reason nations like Iran have not yet succeeded in their plans to wipe Israel "off the map."

Israel is perhaps one of the most controversial members of the nuclear club. Israel's officially unacknowledged nuclear arsenal has been described as "the worst-kept secret in the Middle East." Reports indicate that Israel possesses a little over 100 nuclear missiles. It has never officially conducted a nuclear test, however some suspect that such a test may have occurred in 1979 off the coast of South Africa (an event now known as the Vela Incident).

Iran is heading steadily toward a confrontation with Israel. There has long been speculation that Israel is preparing for a possible attack on Iran's nuclear facilities - there has even been evidence to suggest that Israel may be planning a tactical nuclear strike. To learn more about this topic, we encourage you to watch The Coming Conflict: Israel and Iran in which Avi Lipkin shares his unique insights on Middle East affairs.