Reflection #2

It is nearly impossible to escape the escalating problems in the Middle East today. They are plastered on every news magazine, written about in every newspaper, and talked about on every news station. Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been receiving much press this week due to his interview on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight”. In his interview, the president mentioned his opinions on Israel that left me unsettled. 
When asked to clarify his statement regarding “wiping Israel off the map”, Ahmadinejad accused Israel of killing women and children, incarcerating the youth of Palestine, and imposing five different wars on her neighbors. He then followed up to ask if one would help a nation like that, or try to get rid of it. 
This response, although not so straight forward, still sends a powerful message to the Jewish state. Ahmadinejad clearly does not support Israel, and would easily do anything to rid the Middle East of Israel and to establish a Palestinian state. The fact that Ahmadinejad would even openly express his desire to exterminate Israel on national television disgusts me. I understand that there have always been problems between the two nations, but to be so blunt about a growing international problem in the height of Middle Eastern turmoil is shocking. 
In addition, he stated that if an Israeli attack on Iran were to occur, Iran would have the right to protect herself. That I agree with; any nation under attack should be able to defend herself and her people. Nevertheless, we know that there is some skepticism regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons production program, and if Iran were to strike back, a nuclear war would seem inevitable. 
In an event like this, the U.S. would have to take notice and make some extremely difficult and immediate decisions, especially because Ahmadinejad has made it clear that an Israeli attack on Iran would also be considered a U.S. attack as well. Therefore, the U.S. must watch Iran with careful eyes because we will most likely be dragged into this mess head first if Israel were to strike.