OPINION:
In a recent Republican debate, GOP White House hopefuls touched upon President Obama’s failure to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. In my opinion, if Mr. Obama is re-elected, Iran will get nuclear weapons. Why? Mr. Obama refuses to stand up to the ayatollahs; is retreating in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt and Libya; and is abandoning our allies in the region to Iran.
As Mr. Obama withdraws for personal political reasons, our allies are being forced to come to terms with the ayatollahs who dominate Iran. Mr. Obama is sacrificing our country’s interests overseas for his re-election priorities, just as he is sacrificing the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline project for the same end. He does this, in both cases, against the best interests of the American people and our country.
To maintain peace with Iran, we must be prepared for war, and a new policy toward Iran is needed. Specifically, we require far tougher economic sanctions, a unified NATO stance, much more support for the Iranian dissidents, forceful diplomacy with a serious military option, restoration of aircraft-carrier groups in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean, an increase in military assistance to Israel and a clear message to Iran that the United States will not tolerate its acquisition of nuclear weapons.
LT. COL. DOMINIK GEORGE NARGELE
U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
Arlington
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