ArcaMax

After decades of the Iranian terrorist dictatorship voicing grave threats to global security, Israel and the United States have ultimately resolved to take decisive action to mitigate the threat posed by Iran's nuclear weapons program. What was once perceived as a suicidal scenario for our world, a circumstance that could incite a nuclear conflict capable of annihilating humanity, ultimately proved to be a conflict that produced nothing more than prophetic, but ultimately empty, threats.

Within seven days of initiating its bombing campaign against Iran, Israel rapidly established aerial dominance with minimal difficulty and effectively neutralized one-third of Iran's offensive and defensive capabilities. After the theocratic leadership was incapacitated, the U.S. intervened and deployed 14 "bunker-buster" bombs on three key nuclear weapon production sites in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

This, of course, demonstrated that Iran talked a big game but possessed minimal capabilities. Nevertheless, Americans continue to harbor more broad fears. Will Russia intervene and attack Israel and the U.S. for instigating such an attack? The response to that question thus far appears to be negative. Although Russia established a strategic military collaboration with Iran last year, it did not incorporate a mutual defense clause, meaning that Russia is not obligated to defend Iran when provoked.

Yet Americans remain justifiably apprehensive that our world, presently extremely volatile and potentially on the brink of nuclear conflict, could see an incident of this nature incite a broader confrontation not only in the Middle East but globally.

So, is the likelihood of nuclear war high and imminent? The answer varies based on who you ask. The U.S., Israel and a significant portion of Western society have asserted for decades that Iran is mere years or weeks from emerging as a nuclear threat. The same type of concern prompted the U.S. to go in war with Iraq in 2003, ultimately revealing that the intelligence was erroneous and that Iraq lacked nuclear capabilities. In a certain regard, we find ourselves in a similar predicament; yet it is certain that although Iran may not have been on the verge of achieving nuclear power, they were, at the very least, advancing their nuclear weapons program. How close they were is a question that we don't have an answer to just yet but may be clarified in the coming weeks.

Israel asserted that Iran had achieved 60% enrichment. The Israeli ambassador to the U.S. stated that the distinction between 60% enrichment and a nuclear weapon is really a minor aspect of the overall process. Consequently, they say, Iran could have attained nuclear capabilities far sooner than anticipated.

China and Russia have been largely silent; yet, like with President Donald Trump, we lack insight into their thoughts or ideas for potential actions. In fact, approximately one hour before the U.S. assault on Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump expressed his willingness to engage in conversation instead of resorting to military action. Clearly, that was just smoke and mirrors.

Many in the U.S., including military personnel, express criticism or hesitation toward entering another Middle Eastern war. Think back to when the U.S. invaded Iraq and ousted Saddam Hussein. The ousting of Hussein, a tyrannical ruler, resulted in considerable instability, an extended civil war and a power vacuum that has had enduring repercussions on Iraq's political and social structure.

Iran cannot be allowed to continue to do what it has done for decades.

Proxy wars and terrorism and random rocket fire ... it all needs to end.

What was most striking to me in reading the news accounts this weekend were the stories from Tehran businesses. They are worried their revenue is drying up; they'll need to lay off employees. This is talk of a thriving domestic market ... with employable citizens desiring peace and all that comes with it.

Iran does not need to be known as a warmonger. Its people should desire peace for their own prosperity.

Ultimately, we do not need another protracted conflict, nor do we need U.S. involvement. We are currently in an era where the public has become fatigued by Middle Eastern wars and the relentless cycles of bloodshed they generate. This one likely will not be any different.

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Armstrong Williams is manager/sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast owner of the year. To find out more about him and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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