[Financial Times Deutschland/Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Matthew Levitt - The more significant conclusion of the latest U.S. National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear intentions and capabilities is that the most likely tool to successfully alter Iran's nuclear calculus is targeted political and economic pressure, not military action. Iran continues to produce fissile material and the ballistic missiles needed to deploy a weapon. According to IAEA director Mohamed ElBaradei, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in "only a few months" once it completes the fuel-cycle facilities it is building. The answer is to sanction Iran now, before it reaches this critical threshold. All those interested in averting a military confrontation with Iran must rededicate themselves to employing a robust regime of smart sanctions targeting Tehran's illicit activities. While multilateral sanctions are always preferable, targeted financial measures applied unilaterally by major economic powers and regional bodies are sufficient to successfully target Iran with painful financial sanctions. The writer directs the Stein Program on Terrorism, Intelligence, and Policy at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and was deputy assistant secretary of the Treasury for intelligence and analysis.
2007-12-20 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive