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Contain Iran: Admit Israel to NATO

(Washington Post) Ronald D. Asmus - What can the NATO alliance do to help address the growing likelihood that Iran will acquire nuclear weapons? European capitals would be within striking distance of Iranian nuclear arms. NATO would have to return to its classic mission of defending Europe by deterring a nuclear threat. But the country most threatened by a future Iranian nuclear capability is Israel. If the West opts for a policy of deterrence and long-term peaceful regime change, it must also take steps to ensure Israel's protection for the interim period. The best way to provide Israel with additional security is to upgrade its relationship with NATO, the collective defense arm of the West. What must be clear is that the West is prepared to match the growing bellicosity against Israel by stepping up its commitment to the existence of the Jewish state. Several leading Europeans have called for NATO to embrace Israel, but this debate will not get serious until the U.S., Israel's main ally, puts its weight behind the idea. The time has come to do so. The writer, executive director of the German Marshall Fund's Transatlantic Center in Brussels, served as deputy assistant secretary of state for European affairs from 1997 to 2000.
2006-02-23 00:00:00
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