Let
me begin by stating a few of my positions on the Middle East politics.
First, I believe that the State of Israel has absolute right to exist
and to do so in peace and security. Second, I believe that the
Palestinians have the right to sovereignty and statehood should have
been granted more than half-a-century ago. And third, I believe that
both sides can and should coexist peacefully.
In addition, I believe in power parity
and deterrence, and also believe in the absolute right of nation-states
to pursue independent foreign and national security policies so long as
they do not endanger the well-being of the global common. And where
states have gone roguish, then, it is incumbent on the United Nations or
similar bodies to act. Furthermore, it is my view that the Iranians
have the right to acquire nuclear weapons. Why not?
The United States conducted its first
test in 1945 and as of today, has about 7,650 nuclear warheads. Russia
followed suit in 1949, and has about 8,420 warheads. France, Pakistan
the United Kingdom, China, North Korea, and India, all, have nuclear
weapons. According to the Cable News Network, “Israel refuses to
confirm or deny the widespread belief that it has the bomb, but it is
thought to have about 80 atomic weapons and enough plutonium for as many
as 200.”
The global news outlet went on to say
that “Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, in a 1998 television
interview, said Israel began developing a ‘nuclear option’ in the 1950s
to prevent war. Over the years, Israel has acquired submarines and
aircraft capable of carrying nuclear warheads, but it isn’t confirmed
whether they’ve been modified to do so. Many estimate that Israel’s
land-based Jericho missiles are also nuclear-capable.” What does Iran
have?
Other than the Palestinians and her
non-state allies, the Israeli government, it seems, is more concerned
with the Iranians who are considered the most formidable in both the
Arab and Islamic world. Along with Syria, it remains, perhaps, the only
unconquered and unbowed state in that part of the world. A nuclear-Iran
becomes even more formidable.
Iran, in the estimation of Israel and
many western capitals, is the most dangerous country in the world — or
at least in that part of the world. Unless you are paranoid or just
being mischievous, you cannot and must not believe this to be true. The
Islamic Republic of Iran remains one of the most stable and rational
countries in the world. Sure, it is not a country you mess with; but
when did strength and singular focus become a crime? By the way, who has
ever messed with the US and got away with it?
There is an argument that goes like this:
Israel is a democracy and abides by international laws and conventions;
however, it is dangerous for a non-democracy like Iran to have such
weapons. Baloney! Only an unreasonable fellow will argue that Iran is
not a democracy, or stable. Democracy is not just about elections (which
Tehran conducts freely and periodically), but it is whatever system of
government the people want, promote and condone. Also, Tehran is as
stable as any country anywhere in the western world.
In trying to discourage Iran from
possessing nuclear weapons, she has been threatened with awe-inducing
bombing; her cyberspace has been targeted; and crippling sanctions
placed on her financial and economic dealings. In recent times,
however, it seems as though (a) there is the possibility of normalcy
between the West and Iran; (b) embargoes will be lifted if certain
conditions are met; and (c) the bombing option is looking less and less
likely. For the first time in a generation or two, Iran may be invited
to global parties. These visions are vexing Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu who prefers military actions.
For years now — and more so since
President Obama spoke with President Rouhani — the Israeli prime
minister has been threatening this and that and everything else. He has
been beating the drums of war. How ironic that this is coming from a
Prime Minister who has refused to acknowledge owning weapons of mass
destruction.
The world has known for at least four
decades that Israel has nuclear weapons; yet – yet – not a single
journalist has had the courage to directly ask Benjamin Netanyahu if he
possess the bombs. Not a single American, British, German or French
journalist has been able to look the Israeli Prime Minister in the eye
and ask and to point to his duplicity. And for that matter, not a single
western capital has publicly confronted Tel Aviv on this issue.
In all of this, however, something
strange has been going on in the last couple of weeks: the scolding and
verbal spanking of President Obama by Netanyahu. It’s been difficult to
watch and to listen to such public-putdowns. Many American politicians
do not hold Obama in high regard. He’s been disrespected in so many ways
it’s insane! However, I have yet to see a foreign leader or politician
that disrespects him as much as Netanyahu.
The Israeli leader is not even pretending
or hiding his disdain for Obama. Sadly, no one has chastised Netanyahu
for his sustained disrespect of Obama. The media is looking the other
way, and so too is the American political establishment. What’s going on
here? What’s vexing Netanyahu? Is it Obama’s overture to the new
Iranian president – and for not going to war over Syria? What is it?
Just as many thought Yasser Arafat was
the stumbling block to peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians,
many also believed that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian President from 2005
to 2013, was the stumbling block to whatever Washington and her allies
wanted. Arafat wasn’t but he was killed. Today, Iran has a new
president. Why won’t Netanyahu give peace and diplomacy a chance instead
of constantly calling for war against Iran? The UN, NATO and others
should caution Netanyahu.Wars are tiring.
The world is tired of conflicts. Even the
good people of Israel must be wary and weary of wars. But
unfortunately, Netanyahu seems not to know this. He seems not to
understand the mood of the global community – a community that opposed
the bombing of Syria. Diplomacy, not military aggression, is the key to
solving the region’s problems and challenges. What does he not
understand?
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