Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran?

Talk of Iran getting nuclear power has been hovering in the media for several years now. In 2003 it was clear that Iran was developing nuclear power; however, they claimed it was for peaceful purposes and invited inspectors. Then, in 2004 Tehran signed an agreement with Germany, France, and Britain to cease uranium enrichment. Then in 2006 it was clear they had broken the agreement and sanctions were place upon Iran. Finally, in 2007 further sanctions were placed upon Iran for continuing failure to cease nuclear production.

 

            Now, the better part of two years later, Iran has 5,000 functional centrifuges, used in producing nuclear power as well as nuclear weaponry. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that he plans to build 6,000 more in the coming year. Fortunately, not all 5,000 current centrifuges are perfect, which is needed to produce enriched uranium, however Iranian methods are improving quickly.

 

            “Most estimates say Iran is about a year away from developing a nuclear weapon.” –CNN.com

 

            The CNN report goes on to say, “David Albright -- president of the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington group dedicated to informing the public about science policy issues -- said the figure is credible and that "Iran is marching onward in developing its nuclear weapons capability."

 

            We don’t know when Iran will achieve nuclear power, either logistical or offensive. But we do know that if action isn’t taken soon they certainly will have nuclear power in the near future. We also know that the country is lead by a man who hasn’t been fazed by economic sanctions. We know that Israel stopped a similar development in 1981 when they attacked Osirak, one of Iran’s nuclear power plants. And we know Israel will defend itself by any means necessary if they feel the western world won’t intervene.

 

            President Elect Barack Obama will be inheriting, perhaps literally, a ticking time-bomb in the Middle-East. The President Elect will have to handle the situation delicately, as too strong of an action could incite another war, and inaction will certainly do the same. However, it is clear now that so long as the current President of Iran stays in power, decisive action must be taken and it must be done quickly. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has proven he won’t respond to reasonable diplomacy, but perhaps he will respond to force.

 

How dangerous will we let people like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad get before we see diplomacy won’t always work?

 

-The Burninator