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Source: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jan/20/hugh-shelton-tehrans-own-brand-of-irony/
Iran Remains America's Greatest Strategic Challenge
(Washington Times) Gen. Hugh Shelton - The single greatest strategic challenge the U.S. faces in 2016 remains the Islamic Republic of Iran. It remains a source of terror that keeps the region in a continuous and growing death spiral. There is a yawning gap between U.S. words and actions toward Tehran that has been noted by the regime in Tehran and has, in fact, empowered its bad behavior. Across the board, the U.S. has shown leniency in the face of belligerence and used half-measures to confront adversaries who define extremism in both word and deed. It is bewildering that Western governments including the U.S. have continued to keep the Iranian opposition at a distance as agents of Iran's fundamentalist regime have continued to murder these brave people who advocate democracy and tolerance. The Iranian regime, including President Rouhani, should be held accountable for their belligerent domestic and international conduct. Period. The writer is former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (1997-2001).