Prepare for Iran. What do I mean? I mean Iran is already deep in an undeclared war with the United States. We must stop dozing, and smell the coffee. As in the 1980s, Iran is hitting allied tankers, US military positions via proxies, and pushing the envelope. We need to build a coalition, retake high ground, and hit back.
What has Iran done in three months? Through proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and other shadows – Iran hit Israel directly, hit shipping to Israel, hit two dozen US-affiliated targets in Iraq, pushed the US and Israel from Lebanon, Syria, and – if private reports are true – has eyes on our southern border, pushing people and material north from Venezuela.
Why? Iran sees their moment, when a feckless, arrogant, and corrupt Biden Administration is on their heels, unable to conceive – never mind act upon – a strategy to stop them.
To Iran, this is too good to be true. The painful Trump sanctions forced a drawdown of critical resources, harsh repression at home, and curtailment of spending on terror and nuclear weapons development. Biden lightened Iran’s load.
Biden, in a desperate focus on securing a “peace deal” with Iran, actually freed up six billion dollars in formerly frozen assets, so now Iran can spend more freely on repression at home, terror abroad, and finalizing nuclear weapons.
Iran is within months, some say weeks, of a nuclear device, enrichment of uranium at 60 percent. The reality has security observers shy to discuss it, but this is happening because Iran has no fear of – all loathing for – the US, and sees an opening.
What else? We know Iran is allied with nations wishing America – and our freedom-loving, free-market approach to world order – no good. Iran is aligned and diplomatically engaged with China, Russia, North Korea, Venezuela, and others.
We know Iran is pushing America in other ways, land-based and naval attacks on foreign-flagged tankers by drone – done through proxies, but all going back to Iran. Iran has now deliberately put a warship, a destroyer, in the Red Sea. For what aim?
In the past three months, Iran has adopted a posture of aggression not seen since the 1980s, when multiple attacks were launched on foreign-flagged tankers and US warships, the Persian Gulf raked by risks now in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
So, the real question is not whether Iran is a force for no good, a source of evil and terror, or intends to sow disorder, disruption, division, and – as possible – chaos. They are and they do.
The real question is how to deal with this rogue in a disturbed region, weapons growing more lethal, potentially existential in power, Iran pushing the theater.
The answer is to look back at what has worked before, what we dismiss as irrelevant because it is past, yet is highly relevant, a source of guidance: History.
Specifically, Reagan in the 1980s – as he promised before he did it – confronted Iran, a nation waging war openly against Iraq and a source of radiating terror and disorder. He said, stand down or we will disable much of your ability to harm.
Iran ignored him, at their peril. In naval actions between October 1987 and April 1988, Reagan sank half the Iranian Navy, reduced their oil-producing power, demined the Persian Gulf, and defended international trade around the world.
What else? Reagan formed an international coalition, which became a powerful maritime force to preserve liberty, safety, and free trade, especially in the Gulf.
Uniting the world to preserve the good, in opposition to what we know as evil, he created Operation Earnest Will, protecting the Persian Gulf and its commerce.
What happened? Iran backed down. Deterrence worked. Not only did free trade flourish, and global respect for the US and its allies rise, but Iran was so clipped they initiated an end to the Iran-Iraq War—briefly, a balance returned.
Humanity, of course, has a way of making a mess of good things from the Garden of Eden to the present. Before long, more conflict erupted. Iraq and Iran retooled.
Truth is, we will never secure a moment in human history when peace breaks out for good, and war is vanquished. That is because humans run the planet.
What we can aim for is periods of rationality created by deterrence, strong leadership producing a decisive, hard-headed defense of liberty, and awareness of risks.
Evil forces buffet us now. Chief among the nations that do not believe in human rights, democracy, peace, liberty, and prosperity – or defending “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” – is Iran.
Iran is at war with us by proxy and ideologically, perhaps soon directly. China is not far behind. We must be ready. So, let’s think ahead. Let’s prepare for Iran.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC.
Obama and biden’s buddies in IRAN are killing Americans all over the middle easy. that must make all the leftists happy.
If you’re still voting democrat you are a murderer
Things are bad because we have a weak phony in the white house following the hate america obama’s orders to make this country a third rate banana republic.
Evil has been invited into our government, way of life, families, schools, mass media, major corporations, it is coming thru this administrations acts, across our borders, on our TV’s, radios, fake newspapers, social media (tictok). WHY can’t the American public SEE THIS?? I have seen bidenomics and I have seen MAGA. Is there a choice?? Trump MAGA 2024!!!
Seeds for WW3
We can’t trust the current U.S. government run by Democrats and their proxies, the party that welcomes the likes of Ilian Oram and Rashida Talib, encourages open borders and welcomes far too many people from countries that “Hate America and everything it stands for.” The Democrats are no longer what they once were and must be treated as allies of Iran, Russia, China and North Korea. Remove them from a position of influence and relegate the Democrat party to the trash heap of political parties of who created the chaos we live with today.
Well done. There is no permanent peace, only temporary respites wherein aggression is effectively stifled. We all know that Hitler couldve been detered, even boxed in with embargoes but the international community lacked the will. Now we too have feckless leaders who think bowing down to terrorists will create lasting peace. We’re living in interesting times.
As long as that jackass is in the white house, our country is not safe from anything.
Great article-spot on!
Why doesn’t Biden just give them another pallet load of cash? He probably just can’t figure out a way to skim his usual 10% Big Guy fee…
Great that you reminded the readers of this article about President Ronald Reagan, who had the sense of honor, the sense of courage, the sense of responsibility – the good sense all around to deal with Iran as he did, when he did. Very important history you wrote here Robert , should be appreciated by everyone who recognizes how developments of strategic importance can be carried out by proxy – and that the time element brings up issues that need to be prepared for. The attacks on merchant shipping , for example, one of the tactics used by Iran before indicates that this is a serious situation messaging the need to prepare . The tactics used in the 1980’s by the enemies of freedom – much to consider, an indicator of their determination – deserves a response that is in the We Did It Before and We Can Do It Again spirit by the defenders of freedom in this world – to be Prepared – definitely . Well Done with this writing Robert .
Well said, Mr Charles!
This country is in danger of imploding not to the One party system we now have but by the laziness of the American voter. Most don’t see that the Democrat party is in actuality the Communist party or that sadly the Dem and the Reps joined together years ago and formed what I call the Demorep party. Don’t believe it then look at the voting record and the number of times we have joined with the Dems in BIPARTISANSHIP. We elect the same fools that got us into this mess and listen to their speeches but don’t look at the voting going on. Just because they talk differently doesn’t mean they don’t vote the same.
RBC, again there are no surprises as the Enemies of the USA take full advantage of this WEAK administration. Intelligence services know of Iran’s support of organizations against the Nation of Israel. Of course there are other major players supporting the destruction of Israel that keep low such as Saudi Arabia.
When are people going to wake up? The incompetent and treasonous actions of this pathetic administration are sending us down a road of no return. I doubt most people are not paying attention. Another term for these traitors is the end of this country as founded.
I’ve always said we should bomb the entire region (except Israel ) and take over the oil wells. Why is this hard ? Why do we believe in the capability of negotiation and the endless discussion of nuances such as a “2-state solution” ? What the hell is that ? Its a stupid idea that hundreds of ” diplomats” (who should be called dips) have wasted millions of hours “discussing”. The US has just spent 25 years killing US soldiers ( not Americans. I said US soldiers ) in Iran and Afganistan and achieved nothing. We should not spend another 10 minutes :discussing” these middle east idiots with anyone.
This “news” is as old as cancer. Ronald Reagan , our greatest president, is to blame for not bombing Iran after the release of the US embassy employees in Tehran following their release in 1980. We have always placed Iran and I expect that will continue to. We have taught Iran that the US is not a problem.
The innocent citizens of Iran have lived under this repressive, cruel and evil Islamist regime for nearly 50 years. They are brutally tortured, imprisoned and executed by their own so-called government, which came to power through lies and deceit. The Islamist mullahs, and the Revolutionary Guards which enforce them, should be “taken out” with help from outside, since the people are powerless. Where’s Donald Trump when you need him? There is a wonderful, normal, and democratic organization waiting in the wings to bring true democracy and free elections to Iran, but they need help. (And I’m NOT talking about the playboy son of the last corrupt dictator, Pahlavi, who would love to get back into power.) As a country, Iran is the worst threat to world peace. Send in the silent security forces to deal with these monsters.
We have another Ronald Reagan waiting in the wings, Donald J Trump, if he’s not jailed or assassinated!