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Beyond Sanctions, How the U.S. Can Pressure Iran
(Reuters) Michael Makovsky - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a powerful speech that essentially defined U.S. policy objectives toward Iran by three noes: no nuclear program, no regional terrorism and aggression, and no domestic oppression. But even with Iran's currency crisis and popular discontent, sanctions can only be one tool in a broader U.S. plan. A clearer declaration of a military option would send a stronger signal. By aggressively interdicting Iranian arms supplied to Syria and Yemen, threatening to knock out any Iranian ballistic missiles that are tested or fired, updating contingency plans for striking Iranian nuclear facilities, and forward-deploying missile defense ships to the Middle East, the Trump administration could better demonstrate that it is prepared for confrontation if necessary. The United States should also bolster ties with, and the military capabilities of, allied states to resist Iranian aggression, including Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan. But Washington must help Israel the most, since it is most exposed and has repeatedly demonstrated a strong willingness to push back against Iran. A recent report by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America recommended that the United States frontload some of the 10-year, $38 billion U.S. commitment in foreign military aid to boost Israel's capability to meet growing threats from Tehran. The report also recommends that Trump issue an executive order that raises Israel's status as a U.S. ally to that of Australia and Canada. The United States should also replenish its arms stockpiles stored in Israel with precision munitions and other critical wartime supplies, and cooperate with Israel in researching and developing advanced weapons technology. The writer is President and CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America JINSA and a former Pentagon official.