Yesterday, we may have reached a precipice for the security of the Free World. Apparently, Iran successfully launched its first satellite into orbit. Such a successful launch means that if Iran does not currently possess ballistic missile technology sufficient to deliver a weapons payload anywhere in the world, it will very soon. The technology used in "peaceful" space programs is the same as that in ballistic missile technology. Now, in addition to worrying about Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon, we also have to worry about them having the ability to deliver it anywhere in the world, including the United States. (As an aside, this is, of course, an argument for the continued deployment of our missile defense shield!)
We now know for certain that the President's open letter to the Iranian people which is currently in the drafting process, back channel (all be it low level) diplomatic contacts and television interview on Al Arabiya have made him look weak in the eyes of the Iranian leadership. Iranian government spokesman, Gholam Hossein Elham, was quoted as saying that the request to talk "...means Western ideology has become passive, that capitalist thought and the system of domination have failed. Negotiation is secondary, the main issue is that there is no way but for the United States to change." Unfortunately, because of Mr. Obama's ascension to the Presidency, and after only two weeks in office, the world's largest sponsor of state terror is newly emboldened by his perceived weakness at a time when the consequences are more dire than ever.
President Obama must act immediately to end the Iranian nuclear program forever. He must show that the Iranians' initial perception of him is incorrect. Bold action is required now before the final touches are put on the next Islamic bomb and the ballistic missiles necessary to deliver it to our shores. At minimum, there must be a complete naval blockade of Iran in the Persian Gulf. Although it is one of the world's largest oil producing nations, Iran has very little in the way of refining capacity. Therefore, almost Iranian gasoline is imported. A complete naval blockade of Iran would have a devastating affect on the already depressed Iranian economy. This may even lead to a popular uprising against the ruling Mullahs.
In addition to the blockade, the President needs to seriously consider air strikes against the Iranian nuclear sites. While the sites are scattered and believed to be super-hardened, our newest bunker buster technology should be able to severely disable, if not eliminate, the nuclear weapons program. The Bush administration denied an Israeli request for this technology. Maybe President Obama will reconsider this request as the Israelis appear to be ready to elect a new hawkish prime minister.
Also, strong action against Iran would also stand as a warning to our other enemies that the new administration will act decisively to defends its citizens, our homeland and our allies. Al Qaeda and its enablers will then be on notice that the United States remains strong and willing to defend her interests. Remember, the detonation of a nuclear weapon in an American city will not lead to 3,000 causalities, but rather tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of casualties. We can no longer wait to see if making happy talk with our enemies will work. The stakes are too high. The Obama Administration must do what the Bush Administration didn't - rid the world of a nuclear armed terrorist state that has the ability to strike any time and anywhere.
Remember back to the late 1970s when the occupant of the Oval Office was perceived as weak by Islamic extremists. I do not think that any American wants to see that again. To avoid this, the President must act boldly and soon. If not, I'm afraid, that history will repeat itself, only on a far more deadly scale.
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