So long as Europe remains in denial, it remains vulnerable to attacks and serves as a partner in Iran’s terrorism buildup. Even the head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, recently admitted that being on the European terrorist list would “destroy Hizbollah,” drying up sources of financial, political and moral support. Nasrallah also disclosed that Iranian officials will drag America into war if it fails to stop Israel from taking military action. He threatened that, “American bases in the whole region could be Iranian targets. ”
As tensions mount in the Middle East, the world remains divided: the UN Security Council is at a loss for what to do about Syria, yet Canada has taken a stand. The United States is focussed on an election campaign but still keeping its eye on Iran, as it prepares to escalate pressure on the regime by mounting the largest ever multi-national minesweeping exercise in the Persian Gulf later this month. The exercise will focus on a hypothetical threat from Iran to place mines in the strategic international waterways in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman.
There is an organized plot in Iran against the West and against Israel. The plot is growing in magnitude and force, and is heavily backed by the Iranian propaganda and military machine; and it is multifaceted, working from home base as well as on the soil of Western nations. Although many “deniers” minimize the threat of Islamists to the West, sadly, this is no conspiracy theory. Even though Canada’s decision captured world attention, and serves as a model for all Western nations, there is another occasion to applaud: before the heads of state and delegates of the 120 members of the Non-aligned Movement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon recently denounced Iran for its “outrageous” comments denying the Holocaust and Israel’s right to exist. Ban Ki-Moon was heavily criticised for attending, but his unexpected vehemence succeeded in undermining Iran.
While it is expedient to castigate Iran for its many violations, a coordinated approach is lacking between Western nations. A Foreign Policy article, “This Week At War: The Pentagon Doesn’t Have the Right Stuff ,” by Robert Haddick, highlights the evolving approach in dealing with Iran and other security issues relevant to America. It points out that General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, revealed a new American approach to security, stretching from Egypt to Afghanistan. It is one of defense, a breakaway from the Bush era offensive strategy, and apparent in Obama’s escalation in the war in Afghanistan. The article also refers to Dempsey’s remarks, which suggest that distance is being created between between the U.S. and Israel, as well as between the American view of indefinite waiting and the Israeli view of a potential Israeli strike against Iran. Unsurprising, but how will that distance serve the free world as the Iran continues its menacing nuclear program?
A coordinated effort is required by all Western allies, and these nations need to pull their weight; with the goal of isolating Iran. There is an urgent need for an approach of zero tolerance to Iran’s terrorist strategies practiced both within its boundaries against dissidents and Westerners, and those exported by means of a fifth column in Western democracies. Taken straight from the Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah: Being on the European terrorist list would “destroy Hizbollah,” drying up its financial, political resources and moral support.
The foreign policy spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party in the Bundestag, Philipp Missfelder, also advised that the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah should be placed on the European Union’s list of terrorist groups. Western citizens are accustomed to civilized negotiations and dialogues, but terrorist states use these to buy time as they coordinate and execute their plans. Canada has done well to shut down its embassy in Iran in the interests of safety and as a moral, political and policy statement. Hopefully other states will quickly follow.
Originally published by the Gatestone Institute.