In what has to be the least surprising piece of news this summer, Iran has refused to comply with the United Nations deadline to give up its nuclear program. So now we get to the episode in this farce in which the UN will debate sanctions on Iran (while former Iranian president Mohammed Khatami, invited here by the UN, enjoys a two-week publicity tour in the U.S.).
How to stop Iran from going nuclear is a tough question, but we should at least start by ruling out what won’t work — which is trying to go through the UN. I have an Op-ed in today’s Wall Street Journal on why this is nuts. All it will do is wring concessions from the U.S. in the effort to win over inveterate cheats such as China and Russia, and buy more time for Iran to make bombs. If it’s effective sanctions we want, maybe we should start by banning the State Department from dealing with the UN on Iran (or for that matter, the rest of the Middle East).
In other words, skip the Potemkin debate at Turtle Bay, require our own government to face facts, and free up the U.S. to put together a coalition of countries unburdened by the moral blindness, corrupt workings and slippery Secretary-General of the UN. And get serious about stopping the terror-loving Iranian regime from launching a global nuclear blackmail racket out of the oilfields of the Middle East.
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8 Comments
1. Kobayashi Maru:That was a rippin’-fine editorial this morning! I’m now a fan. Found your blog and added you to my roll. Keep up the good work!
Aug 31, 2006 - 5:01 pm 2. Orah:I want to commend you on this post on Sanctions on the UN. Let’s go further: How about disbanding the UN entirely. It is no better than the League of Nations was before World War II with its incapability of preventing terrorist attacks worldwide and in thwarting rogue states such as Syria and Iran from funding and arming terrorist groups or verbally threatening the annihilation of another member state of the UN. I would venture to say that the UN is even worse, some of its members being dictatorships who do not have the same values and goals as do democracies. In short, the interests of the United States are not always that of the United Nations. In reading your op-ed article in the Wall Street Journal, where you indicate that the United States should seriously consider military action towards Iran, a fascinating thought came to mind. Especially because the US will not have much luck in getting a coalition together towards this end, wouldn’t it be interesting if Israel and the United States would ‘coalesce’ militarily to teach Iran a lesson…
Aug 31, 2006 - 7:50 pm 3. William W. Webb:I’m very glad to find you joining PJM.
I’ve been consistently impressed with the quality of your work at the WSJ, and the more words you get out via multiple outlets, the better.
Aug 31, 2006 - 11:09 pm 4. GlindatheGood:Claudia – So glad to see you here on PJM. I loved your work during the Oil for Food uncoverings, and having daily access now is even better!
Sep 1, 2006 - 8:11 pm 5. Peter Hughes:An excellent suggestion. Absolute silence when asked a question and absolute refusal to participate in theatre such as the UN at least would give us time to think, to ponder, and to act unilaterally. Europe, and others, are just eating up our time with nonsense.
Sep 3, 2006 - 8:31 am 6. Gullspirit:Excellent idea!
Too bad such an organization will require Congressional approval (if I’m not mistaken).
Until oil-stained Annan and his Middle East conduits (Russia and China) are cleansed, the UN will continue to be barreled by its own crude (drop the “e” for effect).
Sep 3, 2006 - 8:53 am 7. Fausta:Excellent as always.
Sep 3, 2006 - 9:53 am 8. Steve Ralston:Keep up the good work!
I have been reading articles penned by Ms. Rosett for quite some time. The detail & thoughtful insight on critical issues has been a welcomed breath of fresh air.
Sep 5, 2006 - 7:17 pmBlogging will be a new world for her. The words coming from many who want to offer comments & especially to someone as effective as Ms. Rosett, will be many.
I join with what must be a huge following in welcoming her to the blogsphere & wish her the best with The Rosett Report. I see this as a long overdue commentary tool regarding what may be the most decisive & relevant issue of our times, the United Nations.
Welcome Claudia Rosett, we really do need your sane voice in these incredibly difficult times.