Editor's Letter Bunt Miss These JARC 40th Anniversary Events! ( Defanging Iran I knew Iran was a global menace, but if I had doubts about the enormity, they were dashed by visiting experts whom I respect. On June 24, I sat in on a Jewish Community Relations Council-hosted discussion led by Jonathan Miller, senior dep- uty director general of the Jerusalem-based Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department for Non-Proliferation, and Ofer Moreno, the department's deputy director. Two days later, I had breakfast with Josh Block, the director of strategic communications and spokesman for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington, D.C. The common theme was that Iran has real nuclear potential and that it churns the instability in the Middle East. The Persian nation is develop- ing long-range ballistic missiles. It is striving to trigger a new world order intended to neutralize America as a super power and immu- nize itself and its proxies from security breakdowns. And it remains a danger to Israel. No wonder it's top of mind for President Obama although I'm skeptical that his diplomacy alone will solve Iran's nuclear pursuit. I'd prefer that he create an international coalition capable of imposing crippling sanctions. In no uncertain terms, the Metro Detroit visitors affirmed that Americans, especially the Jewish community, must urge U.S. leaders to remind the world about the danger of a nucle- ar-armed Iran. We can't be dismissive when such a danger would disrupt the world order, prompting nuclear prolifera- tion in the Middle East while fundamentally changing the strategic balance of the embattled region. Moderate regimes would be toppled. Israel's fragile peace with Egypt and Jordan would be worthless. Western energy security would dissolve. Take Iran Seriously Iran's public face is President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a rac- ist, Holocaust denier and anti-Zionist. He leads a sovereign nation with biblical roots, not a Third World backwater. So the Islamic Republic's role as an archenemy of Israel and the West is unquestioned. Don't be fooled by Iran's claim that it harbors enmity toward the Jewish state only, not the Jewish people. Yes, 25,000 Jews live in relative calm among the 25 million Iranians. But that's a strategic ploy ordered by the ruling mullahs. Before the Islamic revolution of 1979, Iran was home to more than 50,000 Jews; thousands have fled. While the Jewish commu- nity may be openly religious, it's not openly Zionist; as such, it avoids a political confrontation it can't win. Powerful as it seems to be, Iran isn't working alone. Hezbollah, based in Lebanon to Israel's north, Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip to Israel's west, and Syria, on Israel's northeastern border, all are terrorist proxies. Unless deterred, Iran will produce a nuclear bomb that would reach Israel and parts of Europe — although pre- cisely when is subject to debate. In direct violation of several United Nations resolutions, Iran continues to generate nuclear enrichment and technological warhead advances, both vital to offensive atomic capability. Iran's might derives from the spread of Islamic fundamen- talism, which also has roots in Lebanon, Gaza, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Jordan and Afghanistan. Behind this force are the region's corrupt, repressive regimes that cannot provide jobs, or hope, for the masses of poor people. The civilized world must stay aware of who will control the Iranian levers of atomic power: the Revolutionary Guard. The Guard works with Iranian mullahs led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to strengthen the revolution through enforcement of Islamic codes and morals. The black-robed leadership wouldn't flinch sacrificing Iranian lives in Allah's name if they could realize Ahmadinejad's vow to destroy Israel; Israel's military superiority would be at a distinct dis- advantage in such a firefight. Power Of Sanctions Israel is 8,000 square miles and has 7.4 million residents. Seventy percent of its 5.5 million Jews live in four cities: Jerusalem, Haifa, Tel Aviv and Beersheva. One atomic bomb hitting Tel Aviv could take out up to 500,000 people. America and other major powers like the European Union, Russia and China are in the best position to spur tougher economic, travel and trade sanctions — the only nonmili- tary option to slowing Iran's nuclear march. Iran already has rejected cooperation or compromise. So let's move the option of not buying Iranian oil front and center. That would echo through the Central Bank of Iran; oil revenues account for 80 percent of Iran's total export earn- ings and 40 percent of the government budget. Limiting Iran's ability to import refined petroleum products, which yield 40 percent of the nation's gasoline and diesel fuel, would be effective as well. Clearly, stronger sanctions on businesses that underwrite Iran's energy and military sectors would be potent. United Nations Security Council sanctions are in place but apparently paper tigers. Splintering its financial timbers would make Iran more vulnerable to the growing chorus of governments, including moderate Arab nations, demanding the end to Iranian nuclear ambitions. Stay On Alert The trio of experts I met a few weeks ago underlined the diplomatic challenges ahead, not the least of which is main- taining economic pressure as Obama courts Iranian power brokers. If the courtship fails, an Obama-backed international coalition must bolt dramatic sanctions onto Tehran and let it be known that only full compliance would bring exoneration. We can't settle for anything less. Obama says he's prepared to heighten the stakes against Tehran, a complicated theocracy with different power cen- ters. The American people must assure that he and Congress don't lose their offensive edge. Hardened U.S. resolve will bolster the global battle against the grand plan to chisel a new model that would position Tehran at the top of the world order. ❑ 0 • • CC Can a nuclear Iran really be averted? I— ca Z z What is the right blend of sanctions? 10.17. SOMERSET COLLECTION PARTY LIKE IT'S 1969! Celebrate Somerset South & JARC's 40th Anniversary? • Dance at 'Club Somerset A-Go-Go' • Shop Select Stores (% of sales to benefit JARC) • Food, Martinis and Morel ® Tickets $58 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT www.jarc.org 1017. "An Eiie of a Show' -Time Magazine JARC's( 29th An Fall Fundraiser 7:30 PM Fisher Theatrei- TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 11 www.jarc.org o a. CL • 301 Northwestern z Suite 100 ' Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248.538.6611 vitty i Fax: 248.536 .6 . 1492590 A5