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Iran Marches Forward

(National Interest) Benny Morris - Against the backdrop of popular uprisings sweeping many Arab capitals, little attention is being given to the relentless, steady progress being made in Iran's massive effort to produce nuclear weaponry. International economic sanctions, spearheaded by the U.S. (and neutralized by the behavior of the Russians, Chinese, Indians and various Muslim countries, including Turkey), and covert Israeli operations have so far failed to halt the onward march of the Iranian bomb. There are those who believe that Iran will make do with achieving a nuclear weapons production capability but will stop short of actually producing them, but this runs against the logic of Iranian policy and thinking. Iran's leaders wish to fend off Western power and influence, to dominate the Middle East and to destroy Israel - and for all these, brandishing real, fearful nuclear weapons will be much more effective than merely announcing a "capability." And once they have the Bomb, Americans and Europeans will think twice and three times about any step they take in the region. Israel's leaders and populace will, thereafter, live in perpetual fear of Iranian nuclear assault, whether out of the blue or as the endgame in some future crisis (an Israeli retaliation against Hamas or Hizbullah, etc.). The religiously fanatical Iranian leadership may well prove undeterred by thoughts of mutually assured destruction: Maybe they believe that destroying Israel or the Jews, as desired by Allah, is worth the candle; maybe, that Allah will protect them.
2011-04-22 00:00:00
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