JUST ENGAGE

Since the release of the US intelligence community’s National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, journalists, policymakers, and political influentials have all weighed in on the implications of the document for US foreign policy. After reading countless OP/EDs and news articles, I found that an article from The New Republic and The Washington Institute for Near East Policy written by Ambassador Dennis Ross hits the nail on the head.

Check it out at here.
 

Since last week, the country (and the world at large) has been rocked by the release of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) “Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities.” The report provides an update of American intelligence assessments regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and has generated a wave of reactions in the media and policy community. Its most controversial aspect is that it puts forward the notion that Iran stopped the development of its covert nuclear military program in 2003. In plain English, this means that the regime has suspended its efforts to come up with the processes to allow it to manufacture a nuke; i.e., it is not currently spending much sweat in figuring out how to assemble and launch a nuclear weapon.

I’m no intelligence expert or national security guru, but this “suspending” doesn’t necessarily make me feel any safer—a regime that has been pursuing nuclear capabilities for decades, that speaks of “wiping countries off the map,” and that supports a number of terrorist organizations, is no less a threat just because it stopped (temporarily?) the military track of its nuclear program a few years ago. According to Patrick Clawson, weaponization of a nuclear program is secondary to uranium enrichment and… guess what? Iran has intensified its uranium enrichment over the past two years! So much so that even the usually softer IAEA has serious doubts over the intentions of Ahmadinejad’s nuclear program due to a lack of transparency and access to meaningful inspections. Therefore, to assume that Iran has changed its nuclear end goals simply because it has changed the order of production means is a dangerous venture that should not be accepted lightly and unquestionably.

My fear is that due to an “Iraq syndrome,” and to domestic political dynamics, the public will get a feeling that the issue of Iran has been resolved and that it is now time to move on to other concerns. Yet, while the NIE might say many things, it does not say that Iran has stopped being a threat or that the pursuit of nuclear weapons is no longer one of its central goals. On this, the international community agrees (read UK's Foreign Secretary David Miliband), and this should be a vote of confidence for everyone who seeks to work within an international consensus.

The report does suggest, however, that diplomatic pressure has played a role in pushing Iran to modify its tactics. For this reason, divestment efforts and other types of sanctions should continue, and maybe, just maybe, we will be able to change not only Iran’s tactical considerations but also its strategic position regarding its pursuit of nuclear weapons. The NIE should be seen as a plea for the international community to remain vigilant, not as a waiver to lower its guard.

Thousands of protestors came from across the country to rally against Ahmadinejad and his extreme views.

Photo taken by Martine Katz (JCPA-NY)

The past few days have been a bit crazy for the Israel Advocacy Initiative (IAI) staff in NY. Last week when we were gearing up for yesterday's rally to end the threat of Iran we heard that President Ahmadinejad would be speaking at Columbia, as well.

It seemed all anyone in New York would speak about was President Ahmadinejad's visit. Should he be allowed at Ground Zero? Should he be allowed to speak at Columbia? What would he say? What would it mean for Jewish students on campus?

While, he wasn't allowed to visit Ground Zero, a decision Ahmadinejad did not seem to understand. He was able to visit and address students and faculty at Columbia University.

On Sunday afternoon, I took the subway up to the Kraft Center to provide training for students on "Building Coalitions" as part of a Student Training Workshop to educate and empower students in preparation for Monday's speech. There was lots of activity at the Kraft Center as student leaders called coalition members, spoke to student leaders, and prepared their speeches. They told me that most students on campus believed it was important for Ahmadinejad to be given a right to speak because of a commitment to free speech. They were, however, very prepared to protest the event with their own student rally outside Lerner Hall.

Quarter sheets handed out on campus announcing the rally said, "Why we Rally Ahmadinejad comes to Columbia" and on the back said:

"Who is Ahmadinejad?

A supporter of International Terrorism

A Holocaust Denier

Anti Free Speech

Anti Womens Rights

Anti Academic Freedom

Anti-Homosexuals

A Promoter of Mass Murder

Campaigns to ‘counter public immorality'"

Those were the exact things community members were protesting outside the United Nations yesterday at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza. Our staff arrived early to help set up and receive our rally marshall assignments. Salomon and I were stationed on 47th and 2nd blocking the sidewalk, which gave us the opportunity to view the thousands of participants as they approached the rally. The first rally participants were a group with large colorful signs from Christians United For Israel, followed by numerous Jewish day school groups, Federation buses, people on their lunch hour, and a small, but vocal group of Iranians. Countering our rally was a group of ten Neutrei Karta, who seemed to puzzle the NYPD officers near us.

At about noon, with Dag Hammarskjold Plaza just about full the speeches began. Three JCPA board members were given the honor of introducing elected officials and other speakers: David Steirman introduced Congressman Scott Garrett from New Jersey, Len Cole introduced Sentator Robert Menendez also from New Jersey, and Elihu Davison introduced the President of Columbia/Barnard Hillel Josh Rosner. Additional speakers included Congressman Anthony Weiner, who opened his speech by declaring "Am Yisrael Chai" followed by thunderous applause; Congressman Elliot Engel and Congressman Jerrold Nadler. Israel Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also gave a great speech (more on her speech later from Jessica).

Today, President Ahmadinejad will be given the opportunity to speak at the UN General Assembly. I think because of yesterday's rallies New Yorkers and Americans are even more curious to here what he has to say. Stay tuned....