For the last three years, the Biden administration has coddled Iran, giving them access to billions of dollars and taking an approach of appeasement. It isn’t working. As Iranian lawmakers chant “death to America,” Democrats stand silently, even as Americans are killed as a result of Iranian proxy wars.
The fact is that Iran and its allies pose a direct threat to both U.S. and international security. Iranian proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon have been designated as a terrorist organization, yet the current administration has not proactively prosecuted or stymied their efforts. The American government must protect its citizens and safeguard our country.
Additionally, Iran’s support for various proxy groups, such as Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the Houthis in Yemen have significantly contributed to the destabilization of the region, creating a humanitarian crisis and displacing millions of people. These proxies exacerbate tensions, fuel violence, and undermine efforts to establish peaceful coexistence among neighboring nations throughout the Middle East.
As Iran uses intimidation tactics to flex the strength of its exported military capabilities, the United States, as a global power, must address Iran-supported proxies head-on. Addressing Iranian proxies directly is integral to preventing the spread of extremist ideologies that can lead to the radicalization of individuals both within the Middle East and beyond. The United States, in collaboration with its allies, must take a proactive stance to counter the influence of unchecked terrorism.
These efforts can be taken with little risk to U.S. forces and incur an exceptionally small financial investment to taxpayers because any military operations would be using personnel and munitions that are already in the region. Failing to be proactive leads to risks of ideological expansion, like what happened with ISIS. I spent years in the Middle East, throughout multiple deployments over two decades of service, including conducting conventional military operations in Iraq, special operations against Houthis in Yemen, and intelligence taskings in undisclosed locations. I saw first-hand how it took exponentially more resources and risks for military forces to quell ISIS after it had expanded than if we had taken action years earlier.
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It is important to note that Iran's support for proxies extends beyond the Middle East, encompassing activities that threaten America’s security at home. American officials are now warning of a Hezbollah attack on U.S. soil. To stop attacks on our homeland, it is imperative to combat Iranian proxies in their backyards.
Additionally, the U.S. and our allies should enforce economic sanctions on Iran and seek to exert diplomatic pressure to compel the Iranian government to cease its support for proxies that are creating chaos and destabilizing the region. This includes the continued seizure and freezing of Iran’s assets. Sanctions serve as a powerful tool in shaping the behavior of nations, but only when there is real intent to enforce them. In the case of Iran, they have proven successful when leveraged to incentivize a shift toward responsible and constructive regional engagement. Unfortunately, this administration has allowed Iran to profit from illegally selling oil and giving them access to billions of dollars. This makes any efforts to discourage Iran ineffective.
By combatting Iranian proxies now, the United States can foster an environment where countries in the region can pursue diplomatic solutions to their disputes without wars, human rights abuses, and the deaths of innocent civilians. Achieving regional stability is not only essential for the well-being of countries in the Middle East, but it's also crucial for our world’s global security, as instability affects international trade, energy security, and geopolitical balance. The growing issues of regional instability in the Middle East, increasing terrorist threats, and protection of global interests cannot go unanswered by the Biden administration any longer. The United States was once respected on the global stage. Joe Biden must hold strong against the Iranian regime. Through confronting Iranian proxies, and through economic sanctions and embargoes on Iran directly, the U.S. can deter Iran from conducting provocative actions in the region.
Ultimately, a return to the policy of “peace through strength” with our allies in the Middle East will result in regional stability and increased security throughout the world.
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