Why we must not take Iran for granted

Recently a report by a United States intellignece organization found that in 2003 Iran had halted its nuclear program. President Ahmadinejad took it upon himself to take this opportunity to say that this was a "declaration of surrender" on the part of the United States.

At this same time, the Russian government makes its first shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran today, after a much waited debate over sanctioning Iran over its nuclear program.

Many liberals are breathing easy, because now we cant just charge into Iran and once again try to free a country from a deranged government. The paranoia many liberals feel about engaging this enemy is the highest its ever been. Moveon.org has been swift to condemn a vote in the senate to label Iran's Revolutionary guard a terrorist organization as a act of aggression.

But are we out of the water with Iran now that this report tells us we are? Absolutely not. Iran is now in the process of creating a second nuclear power plant, and a senior Iranian official recently said that Iran had no "intention of halting its nuclear enrichment programs."

Ahmadinejad's attitude and crazy demeanor has lead many in the west to question the dangers of a nuclear Iran. I must say any and all things must be done to prevent Iran acquiring nucelar weapons, including force if diplomacy fails.

Why would it be so bad if Iran gets nuclear weapons? Part of the problem is the instability it would cause in the region. Iran would now be a super power in the region, able to influence any of the governments it sees fit. It is written into Iran's constitution that all countries must become Islamic States, with Iran paving the path . There is no doubt Iran would back up pro-fundamental Islamic regimes in different countries, causing much more turmoil in the region. We saw in the 1980's the Iranian desire to turn Iraq into a pro-shia, pro-Iranian government. We see these efforts on Tehran's part in Iraq currently, with Iranian troops supplying insurgents with supplies that are hurting our troops now as we speak. The idea a Iranian government with a nuclear bomb would not "be that bad" as a liberal told me once, is preposterous.

Not to mention the countries constant verbal attacks on Israel and its support of aggression against it. I need not remind you that Ahmadinejad has denied the holocaust and blames Israel for the all problems in the middle east. He even uses Israel as a scapegoat for its high unemployment rate. There is no doubt Israel would be in grave danger is Iran ever got its hand on the bomb.

Sure, this report says it stopped its nuclear program. But many also believe that Iran is playing the same games Iraq did with regard to weapons inspectors, and trying to cover it up before they start again. I wish i believed this report was accurate, but to much evidence is pointing to the contrary. If we do not elect a leader who is willing to stand up against Iran, we may have a much bigger problem than Iraq, a nuclear Iran.