(Note: The following appeared as a letter to the editor in the Washington Times on Jan. 25, 2024, entitled “We Know Iran’s Intentions”)
“Ben Wolfgang is correct to note that Iran is the ‘root cause’ driving instability in the Middle East (‘Iran pulls yet another president into conflict,’ print, Jan 23). And it’s equally important to note why and what can be done to address the problem.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is an imperialist and revisionist power that seeks to upset the status quo and become the preponderant force in the region. The ruling mullahs want the United States banished, Israel destroyed, and America’s longtime Arab allies overthrown.
And to the extent that they’ve succeeded, it is because Washington has failed to deter them from these objectives, often believing that appeasement is a ‘safer’ choice. Events have clearly shown otherwise.
But by reversing course and standing forthrightly with regional pillars like Israel in its battle against Iranian proxies, the United States can signal resolve and restore deterrence.
Henry Kissinger once asserted that Iran must decide ‘whether it is a nation or a cause.’ Yet, the Islamic Republic’s decision — to lead an Islamic revolution across the region and beyond — has always been clear. The U.S. must stop pretending otherwise.”
Sean Durns
Washington D.C.
The writer is a Senior Research Analyst for CAMERA, the 65,000-member, Boston-based Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis