Iran is Cruisin' for a Bruisin'

Whenever I would fight with my little brother or act in an obnoxious manner (imagine that), grandmom would feign an aggressive stance and admonish, "You are cruisin' for a bruisin', mister!" I clearly understood who was in charge, and hastened to apply the brakes to my immaturity. Iran, however, is that dumb kid in the schoolyard or spoiled younger cousin that just does not know when enough is enough. Yesterday, Iran announced that it is ready to get "serious", agreeing to hold talks with western powers regarding its illegal nuclear program. Predictably, European diplomats are glowing over the prospect of lengthy summits with expensive food and private Olympic sized pools. But is Iran capable of being serious on this issue? Or, like any other little monster that has not been put in its place, is she willing to push the West to its limits? Perhaps beyond?

Iran needs a bruising, folks. But who will step up? In fact, who is left? If I were the president of Iran (an amusing thought), I would not be overly concerned at the prospect of a serious objector. The world community, in its reaction to Iraq, has publicly declared that conflict is not to be a part of any western-led Middle East solution. And anyone who thinks Amhadinejad is blind to this development is engaging a wild fantasy. The Jerusalem Post has suggested in this morning's edition that Israel may be willing to deliver a long-overdue bloody nose to the Iranian bully. However, even Israel seems weaker and less determined in the wake of its retreat from Lebanon. At the same time, America is busy fighting wars on both of Iran's borders, with virtually no support from a cowering global community. Where is the will to fight? Was World War II democracy's last great stand?

The enemies of freedom are on the march, and by all indications, will continue to strengthen unabated. The possibility that free nations will take the Iranian threat seriously and begin to meet this dangerous challenge head-on diminishes every day, as more and more Americans and Europeans refuse to stand up for their civilization's right to exist. Worse, more and more people insist that any percieved threats exist only in George Bush's head. Sigh. I believe in miracles, but realism forces this observer to assume that Iran will be allowed to play its games until North Korea wakes one day to find a new, nuke-slinging ally. Let's pray that someone will break Iran's nose before an ICBM becomes our only recourse.