Don’t Exaggerate Iranian Threat

Most world powers want to prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. Yet at the same time, those opposed to Iran nuclear capability cannot resort to unrealistic fears. For example, US policy should not focus narrowly on the threat that nuclear Iran poses for Israel. Without nuclear weapons, a military confrontation would inevitably turn in Israel’s favor: Israel has state-of-the-art infrastructure and an elite air force in contrast to Iran’s economic status as a developing country with inferior planes and pilots. Even if Iran had a nuclear bomb, deployment against Israel would prove disastrous for Iran’s security and international standing – bringing new meaning to the term “suicide bombing,” according to authors Thomas W. Lippman and Juan Cole. Furthermore, despite inflammatory comments from Iran’s president, the nation’s political machine is complex, unprepared and unmotivated for such attack. The world must take tackle the Iranian threat with reason, not permitting alarmists to determine the course of action. – YaleGlobal