A Pragmatic Approach to Iran’s Nuclear Capability
There are numerous reports, some conflicting, that Iran is only six months away from being ready to test an A-bomb. That may be true but even if it isn’t everyone knows they are headed in that direction.
From a pragmatist’s point of view—if the above is true and Ahmadinejad carries out the threat he made to the world regarding Israel’s nuclear extinction—this is how it would look. According to a recent article in The National Post destruction would be demonic and in turn could trigger a worldwide economic collapse. Take just a few seconds and imagine what the US healthcare system would look like then. Think about pension plans and social security; think about food supplies, energy supplies. The list grows like Pinocchio’s nose. Oh, I forgot to mention what Washington DC’s Center for Strategic and International Studies concluded about such an event. If Iran lobbed a relatively small 100-kiloton nuke at Israel and Israel returned a lob of its own from just some of its 200 (much more powerful bombs) the Center estimates, at the low end, sixteen million deaths within three weeks. The deterrent of mutually assured destruction only works when the folks who have their fingers on the red button are not quite ready to meet their maker. On the other hand those button pushers expecting a harem of virgins awaiting them might be motivated to expedite the event.
According to AFP report carried on United Against Nuclear Iran’s website Republican Senators Jon Kyl, John McCain; Independent Joseph Lieberman; and Dem Senator Evan Bayh urged Obama to prepare sanctions targeting the Central Bank of Iran in the event of diplomatic stalemate. Remember, Obama offered his hand to Ahmadinejad in an effort to solve the nuke matter diplomatically. Many folks, this blogger included, had doubts the overture would work. President Obama, thinking he was the new face of America, offered his open hand to prevent ‘a closed fist’ approach later. Sanctions aren’t likely to work either. So, what’s next?