by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright February 25, 2007
All Rights Reserved.

ranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continued his game of chicken with the U.N., insisting the Islamic Republic will not back down from its nuclear enrichment program. Ahmadinejad offered a diplomatic path out of the crisis if the West would also suspend its enrichment activities. After getting slapped with token sanctions by the U.N. in Dec. 24, 2006, Ahmadinejad bets his key veto-wielding allies on the Security Council, China and Russia, will block attempts at more draconic sanctions. “The train of the Iranian nation is without brakes and a rear gear,” Ahmadinejad told a gathering of Iranian clerics, signaling Iran won't back down from its atomic activities under threats from the West. “We dismantled the rear gear and brakes of the train and threw them away some time ago,” leading to what many see as an eventual military confrontation with the United States.

      President George W. Bush tried to dispel rumors of an impending air strike, insisting the U.S. seeks a diplomatic solution. Bush also said that while he prefers diplomacy, all options are on the table. “The United States is not planning to go to war with Iran,” said Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman, saying nothing about the possibility of targeted air strikes aimed at Iran's nuclear facilities. Most experts agree that the U.S. has no intention of putting boots on the ground in Iran, despite reports by an anonymous government source that Special Forces have already made incursions. Dispatching two U.S. aircraft carriers to the Persian Gulf has some wondering whether gunboat diplomacy could turn to military action. Vice President Dick Cheney echoed Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) view that the only thing worse than military confrontation was a nuclear-armed Iran.

      White House and Pentagon denials about the growing possibility of air strikes against Iran correspond with the same denials before Cruise missiles hit Baghdad March 20, 2003. Speaking to reporters on a visit to Australia, Cheney expressed concerns that Ahmadinejad wants enriched uranium to build A-bombs, not generate electricity. “You get various estimates of where the point of return is,” said Cheney, not knowing whether it's when Iran produces fissile material or builds A-bombs. While Cheney said the U.S. wants a diplomatic solution, he would not rule out air strikes. “We clearly want to see a diplomatic solution to this . . . The emphasis is on diplomacy and there's no reason for us to change which options are or are not on the table,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto, trying to allay concerns about possible military action. Congress has grown more nervous about air strikes.

      Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Iran about its decision to defy the U.N. on its enrichment program. “They don't need a reverse gear. Then need a stop button,” said Rice on “Fox News Sunday,” telling Ahmadinejad that he must stop reprocessing uranium before the U.S. can engage in serious diplomacy. Iran has already passed the Feb. 21 deadline for suspending its enrichment program. “I've said that I am prepared to meet my counterpart or an Iranian representative at any time if Iran will suspend its enrichment and reprocessing activities,” Rice told “Fox News Sunday's” Brit Hume. Diplomats from the five permanent U.N. Security Council, U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Russia and China plan to meet in London this week to discuss more sanctions. Ahmadinejad tells the press that the U.S. opposes Iran's nuke program because it's jealous of Iran's new power.

      Faulty intelligence on Iraq has led to growing suspicions about the quality of U.S. intelligence on Iran. Members of Congress have grown more skeptical of Iran's nuclear ambitions, calling for restraint in U.S. policy. “The president does not have the authority to launch a military action in Iran without first seeking congressional authorization,” said Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), warning Bush about skepticism on Capitol Hill. Yet the White House, not Congress, has the primary duty as commander-in-chief to protect the American public. While Congress would like to restrain Bush, only the commander-in-chief has the responsibility to defend national security. Unlike Iraq, which was not a threat to U.S. national security, Iran has openly admitted its nuclear ambitions and, in fact, is a growing threat. At some point, diplomacy will no longer be a viable option.

      Pushing Iran to the brink, Ahmadinejad may get his wishes, watching the U.S. bomb Iran's enrichment facilities. You don't have to make rocket fuel to figure out that the White House won't allow Tehran to get nukes. Congress can't stop Bush from taking whatever measure he needs to protect U.S. national security. With Admadinedad already seeking to “wipe Israel off the map,” Iran's uranium enrichment program represents a provocative threat to U.S. interests. When Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent another aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf, he put Iran on notice that the U.S. won't sit idly by while Tehran adds centrifuges and collects fissile material. Unable to find a “stop button,” Ahmadinejad overplayed his hand, threatening to continue enrichment activities at the expense of world stability. Without the U.N. acting decisively, the U.S. will be forced to take unilateral action.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

©1999-2005 Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.
(310) 204-8300
All Rights Reserved.