Erfan Fard
In light of the seismic shifts in the Middle East landscape following the events of October 7, it becomes increasingly clear that the existing U.S. foreign policy, particularly towards Iran, is in desperate need of reassessment and realignment. The unchanged stance in the aftermath of these events, marked by Hamas’s unprecedented aggression, starkly contrasts with the evolving geopolitical realities that demand a more dynamic and responsive approach from Washington. Michael Makovsky authored a compelling and insightful article in The Hill, serving as the foundation for this commentary and analysis.
This commentary, reflecting on the insights of Michael Makovsky, Ph.D., a distinguished former Pentagon official and the current President & CEO of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), ), as presented in his insightful article in The Hill, delves into the critical need for a strategic pivot in President Biden’s Iran policy to effectively address the challenges posed by a post-10/7 world. Michael wrote a great and impressive article in The Hill and this comment and analysis is based on that.
The continuity of U.S. policy towards Iran, amidst the drastically altered circumstances, underscores a troubling inertia. While President Biden’s immediate response to support Israel in the face of Hamas’s brutal invasion was laudable, it inadvertently masked a deeper policy malaise—a failure to adapt to the stark realities unveiled by Iran-backed Hamas’s actions. This underscores not merely a missed opportunity for strategic recalibration but a perilous oversight in acknowledging and confronting the broader implications of Tehran’s emboldened aggression, which extends far beyond regional instability to threatening the foundational pillars of Western civilization itself.
The critique herein is not just of policy stasis but of a flawed strategic vision that has inadvertently facilitated Tehran’s aggressive posture. By adhering to an accommodationist approach marked by significant financial concessions and a lenient enforcement of sanctions, the U.S. has inadvertently bolstered the Iranian regime’s capacity to support its proxy networks, thereby exacerbating the threats to both regional peace and global security. This analysis calls for a decisive shift in U.S. policy towards Iran—one that recognizes the imperative of regime change in Tehran as a strategic endgame and realigns U.S. military, economic, and diplomatic tools towards achieving this objective.
In proposing a way forward, this commentary echoes Makovsky’s call for a comprehensive strategy that not only penalizes Iran for its aggression but also restores the credibility of U.S. deterrence. This entails a robust response to Iranian provocations, stringent enforcement of sanctions to dismantle Tehran’s economic lifelines, and a clear diplomatic stance that signals the end of permissive engagement. Additionally, reinforcing Israel’s defensive and offensive capabilities, particularly through the expedited delivery of military assets like KC-46 aerial refueling tankers, emerges as a critical element in not only deterring Iranian aggression but also ensuring the security and stability of the Middle East.
As we navigate the complexities of a post-10/7 landscape, the imperative for a strategic pivot in U.S. policy towards Iran cannot be overstated. The insights provided by Michael Makovsky shed light on the critical challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It is incumbent upon the Biden administration to heed these insights, recognizing that the path to a more secure and stable world order necessitates a bold and decisive recalibration of its approach towards Iran.
Echoing the notable views of Michael Makovsky, this call to action should serve as an urgent alert within the White House to the intrinsic malignancy of the Tehran regime. Understanding the DNA of these criminal mullahs is crucial; their governance is akin to a cancerous tumor within the international system, necessitating swift and decisive surgical intervention. The regime’s eradication is not merely a regional imperative but a global necessity, underscoring the urgency of adopting a more confrontational and proactive stance. This is a clarion call for the international community to rally together, recognizing the existential threat posed by terrorist loving regime in Tehran and the imperative of its immediate neutralization for the sake of global peace and security.