The United States stands at a critical crossroads, facing a choice that will shape its future and that of the world. It's time to confront the hard truth: inaction and half-measures have failed, and a more aggressive approach is necessary.
The recent events in Iran serve as a stark reminder of America's past failures to protect those facing persecution and genocide. From the Holocaust to the Cambodian genocide, the U.S. has often turned a blind eye, prioritizing other interests over saving lives.
The Cost of Inaction: A History of Missed Opportunities
In the case of Iran, the consequences of America's inaction are devastating. Despite President Trump's promise to support Iranian protesters, no tangible help has arrived. As of February 15, the death toll among protesters stands at a staggering 6,508, including 226 children. This mass murder, committed by a theocratic regime, is a grim reminder of the price of inaction.
A Pattern of Indifference
This pattern of indifference is not unique to the Trump administration. Previous presidents, like Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, failed to act during the Cambodian genocide, resulting in the deaths of nearly two million people. Carter, in particular, made a series of disastrous decisions, including refusing to support the Iranian military against Shia Islamism, which led to a multi-decade bloodbath.
The Iranian Regime's Resilience
The Iranian regime has managed to maintain its grip on power for 47 years due to two key factors: its willingness to commit murder and the impunity granted by the West. It took until 2019 for the U.S. to declare the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, and Europe followed suit only recently. Despite this, America's response has been limited to declarations and sanctions, with very little concrete action.
The Nuclear Threat and the Need for War
The problem of Iran's nuclear program has only grown more urgent. Despite the U.S. attack on Natanz and other nuclear facilities, Iran continues to fortify its capabilities. Single-day actions, like the killing of General Qasem Soleimani, are not enough to deter Iran. The only way to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions and ballistic missile production is through war - a sustained campaign of intense attacks lasting several weeks.
The Choice: War or Shame
The author argues that the U.S. is faced with a stark choice: war or shame. Any deal with Iran will likely be violated, as the regime has a history of breaking agreements. War, though difficult, is the only way to prevent a worse conflict in the future.
The Western World's Hypocrisy
The Western world, beyond America, is full of empty promises and grandstanding. Leaders like Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, make bold statements about sending carrier strike groups, but in reality, they lack the will to take decisive action.
The Decline of American Military Power
The U.S. military's ability to respond to sudden wars has declined significantly. Despite hyperbole about the largest force of American warships in the Middle East, the reality is that the present force is relatively small compared to past wars.
A Critical Moment for Decision
As the USS Gerald R. Ford sails towards the USS Lincoln's position, the Trump administration has a few days to decide its course of action. The choice is between seizing the opportunity to weaken Iran and potentially changing the course of history, or facing a worse war in the future.
Dan Zamansky is a British-Israeli independent historian and author of The New World Crisis, a Substack analyzing today's problems.
