Obama Urges For Diplomacy With Iran At Israel Conference
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Netanyahu (Creative Commons)
Trying to answer critics who have criticized him for taking a weak stance on Iran, President Obama said he would act militarily, if necessary, against the country but urged diplomacy at a American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference.
"Already, there is too much loose talk of war," Obama said. "For the sake of Israel's security, America's security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster."
Obama assured the pro-Israel lobbying group that the U.S. would not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. However, a United States or Israeli military strike would only delay an Iranian nuclear program, he said.
The speech comes on the heels of an important Monday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
That meeting, some say, could be quite tense. According to CBS:
"There is a disagreement between the United States and Israel over how long it is possible to wait before sending warplanes to try to cripple Iran's nuclear program. Israel has the military capabilities to carry out the mission but it would be very difficult and might not accomplish the goal.
"American forces are much better equipped to do enough damage to Iranian nuclear sites. But U.S. officials reportedly believe they can wait longer until Iran's intentions are completely clear."
According to Haaretz, an Israeli news source:
"For everyone else, including those people who have legitimate gripes about the president’s policy, Obama’s speech was as solid and supportive as could be expected from any US president."
Shortly after Obama's speech, presidential hopeful Mitt Romney told a Georgia pancake breakfast crowd that Obama had failed the American people, and accused the president of doing little address Iran's nuclear threat.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the speech, despite prompting numerous standing ovations, received mixed reviews from those in attendance, some hoping for a stronger stance on Iran.
Comments
Has Netanyahu talked with the fathers, mothers, wives, brothers and sisters of the soldiers who may die in the contest with Iran?
Has he visited their homes to see what emptiness will be there when they are gone? Has Netanyahu recently visited cities reduced to piles of rubble by sustained air strikes?
To be sure, Iran will sustain far worse devastation, not only from Israel, but also from the U.S. This does not change the likelihood, however, that both countries will also sustain damage in one form or another.
When Abe Lincoln advised his clients to settle whenever possible, he did so not only because it ends the dispute and uncertainty, but also because in a public trial a client often loses even when he wins the underlying case. BP understood this well last week, which is why it settled. It thus put the loss behind it and is now moving forward.
In the same way, Israel, as a modern nation should think of smart ways to deal with Iran. Indeed, keen understanding of human nature has been the great asset of the Jews, which has helped them finesse through predominately Christian or Muslim countries.
Why then has war now become the only option? Even when you become good at it, any battle entails losses.
And here is another point. Just as in time Iran might acquire nuclear weapons, it might also abandon them. Libya did, and so did South Africa. Perhaps North Korea would also, though no one is holding his breath.
Not these guys, you say. Perhaps.
But was it not in Iran where Arab Spring had its roots -- in the protests that followed the 2009 disputed election. Yes, the hardliners have put out all those flames. The hot coals are still there, however, smoldering in the ashes. Such is the resiliency of the human spirit, and as we see it now in Syria.
Let's assume, however, that Iran, as expected, becomes an insufferable bully. Surely, we have dealt with bullies before -- and the Jews have dealt with them throughout the centuries. Recent history shows that bullies do not last forever, and have an unkind end lately. Thus if Iran was to become an insufferable bully with its nuclear knowledge, it will only be pushed further into isolation in an increasingly interconnected world.
If none of this convinces us to put aside our war drums, maybe we should recall the story of the captain and his mate who were about to be executed by the pirates.
“Let us live for six months,” the captain told them boldly,” and we will train your dog to talk."
"How we're gonna do that," the mate whispered?
The captain replied:
"In six months we may die.
The pirates may die.
Or the dog may talk."