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The recent tragedy in Israel
The recent tragedy in Israel, with Hamas launching thousands of rockets at Israeli cities, is a stark reminder of the grave threat that Iran and its proxies pose to the region and to the world.
While much has been made of the failure of Israeli intelligence to predict the timing and scale of the Hamas attack, it is important to note that this is not just a failure of Israeli intelligence. It is also a profound indictment of US-led policy on Iran.
In recent months, the Biden administration has been quietly appeasing and enabling Iran. This has included releasing billions of dollars in frozen sanctions accounts, easing oil sanctions, and turning a blind eye to Iran's continued nuclear program.
The extra cash that Iran is now receiving is being used to fund and equip Hamas and other terrorist proxies throughout the region. This is the direct cause of the current conflict in Israel.
What the diplomatic classes in the West fail to fully understand is that Iran's rulers are in the grip of a fanatical theology similar to Islamic State. They believe that an apocalyptic war is coming in which a mythical figure called the "Mahdi" will reveal himself and take control of the globe, dividing it into cantons for each of his bravest followers.
War with Israel would be the catalyst for this apocalyptic war. This is why Iran is investing so heavily in nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and proxy militia.
Make no mistake: the Ayatollahs want apocalypse. They are very close to going nuclear. And when they do, Israel will be their first target. But the West will not be far behind.
The US-led policy of appeasement towards Iran is a grave mistake. It is empowering Iran's rulers and enabling them to carry out their apocalyptic agenda.
What is needed is a new policy towards Iran that is based on realism and strength. The West must make it clear to Iran that it will not tolerate its nuclear ambitions, its support for terrorism, or its destabilizing activities in the region.
The West must also work with its allies to impose comprehensive and crippling sanctions on Iran until it changes its behavior.
Only then will the threat of Iran be contained and the region be able to find peace.
Iran's funding of Hamas is a long-standing matter. In 2012, a senior Hamas official admitted that Iran provides the group with $70 million a year. In 2018, the US Treasury Department estimated that Iran provides Hamas with $100 million a year.
Iran's funding of Hamas is used to purchase weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment. It is also used to fund Hamas's social welfare programs, which help to build support for the group among the Palestinian population.
In addition to funding Hamas, Iran also supports other terrorist proxies in the region, including Hezbollah, the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, and the Houthis in Yemen.
These proxies play a vital role in Iran's strategy of regional destabilization. They allow Iran to project its power and influence throughout the region without having to directly commit its own forces.
Iran's nuclear program is the most serious threat to regional and international security today. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it will be able to blackmail its neighbors and threaten the free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's nuclear program is also a threat to Israel's existence. The Iranian regime has repeatedly stated that it wants to destroy Israel. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, it will be able to carry out this threat.
The US-led policy of appeasement towards Iran has failed to achieve its objectives. Iran's nuclear program has continued to progress, and Iran's support for terrorism throughout the region has only increased.
The Biden administration's decision to release billions of dollars in frozen sanctions accounts to Iran is particularly egregious. This money is not being used to improve the lives of the Iranian people. It is being used to fund Iran's nuclear program and its support for terrorism.
The West needs a new policy towards Iran that is based on realism and strength. The West must make it clear to Iran that it will not tolerate its nuclear ambitions, its support for terrorism, or its destabilizing activities in the region.
The West must also work with its allies to impose comprehensive and crippling sanctions on Iran until it changes its behavior.
Only then will the threat of Iran be contained and the region be able to find peace.
The Biden administration's policy of appeasement of Iran is a failure. It is emboldening Iran and endangering Israel and the West. The Biden administration must reverse its policy and take a tough stance on Iran.
BY: Michael Arizanti
