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Confront Iran's Nuclear Challenge with a Coalition of the Willing

(Washington Post) Editorial - Iran's resumption of uranium enrichment dramatically narrows the options of Western governments that hope to prevent its Islamic regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. Referring Iran's case to the UN Security Council probably won't change Iranian behavior or lead to Security Council action; North Korea has been before the council for three years without result. But to shrink from referring Iran to the Security Council now would strip the West of its remaining credibility. While the means of the Security Council must be tried, Western governments should also begin fashioning a policy of sanctions and containment for Iran that can be applied by a coalition of the willing. That should be coupled with a more concerted effort to support the large part of the Iranian population that yearns to free itself from repressive clerical rule. If there is to be a credible alternative to military action against Iranian facilities - or the concession of nuclear weapons to a regime that openly advocates wiping Israel from the map - now is the time for Europe and the U.S. to agree on it.
2006-01-09 00:00:00
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