Hardly appeasement
Equating the interim agreement with Iran to the appeasement of Hitler in 1938 is like comparing apples to oranges.
There was no State of Israel in 1938. Today, Israel is the most potent military force in the Middle East. Although Israel will not confirm or deny it, most military experts believe it has nuclear bombs and the ability to launch them if necessary. Israel also has an intelligence network second to none. Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly declared that Israel will attack Iran if it feels its security is threatened with or without America’s approval.
In 1938, America was not the financial and military power it is today. Sanctions initiated by President Obama have caused severe financial hardship on the Iranian people, leading to the election of a more moderate leadership. The president’s threat of military intervention if Iran does not abandon its ambitions to build a nuclear bomb has led to an agreement freezing enrichment of uranium above what is needed to fuel a nuclear reactor. As part of the agreement the United States has agreed to ease, not eliminate, the sanctions. The agreement calls for stringent inspections to ensure that Iran lives up to its commitments under the agreement. President Obama insists the military option is still on the table if Iran tries to circumvent the agreement.
Israel and Saudi Arabia have voiced their strong opposition. President Obama has expressed understanding of Netanyahu’s skepticism but has assured the prime minister that when the final agreement is reached there will be stringent safeguards preventing Iran from developing a bomb.
The agreement enjoys support in the United States and most of the world. The people are saying, give the new leadership in Iran a chance. War should be the last option, not the first.
Marvin Bograd
East Windsor
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