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Time to Authorize Use of Force Against Iran

(Weekly Standard) Elliott Abrams - Why would Israel, with so much less power than the U.S., decide to take on a task at the far outer edge of its military capacities? Why not leave that task to the superpower, which would do a much better job? The answer is simple: Israelis do not believe the U.S. will perform the task - will ever use military force, even as a last resort, to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. In that belief Israel's view is shared by Iran. Iran's leaders feel free to delay forever, present ridiculous proposals, and refuse to engage in serious bargaining. Meanwhile they push their nuclear program forward. An effort by the president to seek a formal authorization for the use of force from Congress is a way for him to show seriousness of purpose, and for Congress to support it - and send an unmistakable message to the ayatollahs. Such a proposal would be controversial, but its very presentation would show a new level of clarity and commitment. And should such a resolution fail, everyone would be clear that the U.S. was not going to act and that Israel need delay no longer.
2012-08-23 00:00:00
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