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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Daggers drawn

By: Editorial

Posted: 02/17/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

If Iran had nothing but bravado, it would still have enough power to cause consternation in international affairs. With or without its oil and nuclear weapons potential, it is a pivotal nation in a region that is the world's most volatile tinderbox.

But, as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad demonstrated this week, Iran does have the wherewithal to back up its bravado. Iran is feeling the pinch of international economic sanctions imposed by an American-led coalition of the unwilling-to-go-to-war nations that are still concerned about the Iranian threat.

The mullahs are also concerned about Israel, which is feeling increasingly threatened by Iran's nuclear weapons capability. Mr. Ahmadinejad has openly and repeatedly stated his desire to wipe Israel from the face of the world and the Israelis have repeatedly shown in the past their willingness to pre-emptively strike to avert such a threat. It is daggers drawn in the Mideast.

This week, Iran loosened its dagger in the sheath a bit. Mr. Ahmadinejad threatened an oil embargo against Europe, cutting off fuel supplies to a continent that is enduring its coldest winter in memory.

He also boasted about Iran's growing nuclear potential, new centrifuges that may or may not exist but that, if they do, would enhance the country's ability to produce weapons-grade uranium.

That may be only bravado, but bravado usually is a cover for vulnerability, and Iran is feeling the hurt from the economic sanctions that are in place. That is a cue to the international community the sanctions are working and they need to be tightened relentlessly until Iran itself relents on its meddlesome policies in the Mideast.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 17, 2012 A12

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