The recent deal to halt further Iranian nuclear activity brokered between world powers and Iran is logical and helpful to all sides.
For the United States, it helps reach several key national security objectives. It prevents an Iranian nuclear weapons program. It decreases the chances of another costly war in the Middle East. This is important at a time when the United States faces several other political and military challenges around the world.
It also helps our country shift focus back home. People are still without work or better job opportunities. Our education system needs to be more effective. Our national debt is climbing. Our immigration law is faulty. Our criminal justice system needs reform. Some minorities question whether their country and communities support them. Problems. Problems. And more problems that need to be addressed by our leaders.
Opponents of the Iranian deal suggest that a nuclear Iran is more possible now because of the agreement. They point to the sanctions placed on the Iranian economy and threat of military action as successful measures to stop nuclear activity. How is that possible when Iranian nuclear activity managed to increase under sanctions and military threats? History suggests that countries react to economic punishment and military threat by in turn hardening their stance, which only makes war more likely (i.e. Nazi Germany and Russia, today). This is exactly what’s happening with Iran in the past decade. So I believe that the opponents of this deal only want war with Iran.
Why would Iran vigorously pursue a nuclear weapon, especially in the last decade? I believe Iran reacted out of fear. Fear of what its enemies had planned for it. We sandwiched Iran with two wars on its eastern and western fronts in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. This and the sanctions may have motivated a deep Iranian resolve to pursue nuclear weapons more than any other reason. By obtaining a nuclear weapon, Iran could achieve peace by making its enemies second guess launching military strikes. At the core, Iran wants sovereignty.
In regard to our decades long poor relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, it would be careless not to mention why it is so poor. The beginning of the Islamic Republic is rooted in deep American hatred. Our country supported the Shah, who exploited and oppressed the Iranian people, for Cold War-era strategy and economic privilege in oil exports. The Iranian people were upset, which created the climate for the ultra-conservative Islamists to take over in 1979. On the other hand, our country hates Iran for the humiliation suffered in the storming of the US Embassy and hostage crisis during 1979 and 1980. Iran and the United States have battled by proxy many times since relations soured. Iran has sponsored attacks that led to American military casualties. The United States has done the exact same thing to the Iranian military. However, a pathway to another war to settle a decades long grudge will only sharpen further resentment on both sides.
I was not born when any of those events that soured US-Iran relations occurred. During the second war in Iraq, I was maturing in my adolescence and understood little of world politics. What did resonate with me was the constant visuals of IED attacks on US troops and the high death tally. We launched that war because of weapons of mass destruction claims against Iraq, which proved to be wrong. All that we have to show for the war now is a divided and failing Iraqi state and a government closer to Iran than ever before.
So I believe that the Iranian nuclear deal is a golden opportunity for peace. It offers a great opportunity for our countries to begin addressing issues that will lead to better relations and increased cooperation. This is very important in creating a stable environment in the Middle East. Our greatest regional ally, Israel, could also greatly benefit if our efforts have a lasting impact. If this agreement works, trust builds, and further dialogue is pursued, it could lead to better prospects for Israeli national security. It also offers an opportunity for our country to better its international standing from within. We cannot be externally strong if we continue to allow domestic issues to puncture us from within. The alternative to the deal, which is likely war, will only makes matters worse for everyone.
I support Secretary Kerry, President Obama, and the other world powers’ efforts to secure the Iranian deal. I hope that Congress will do so as well.
