Zero Tolerance for Nuclear-Capable Iran

By Pete Seat

The day after the Indianapolis Star published an op-ed by Dan Coats titled “Zero tolerance for nuclear-capable Iran,” CIA Director Leon Panetta addressed the threats posed by a nuclear-armed Iranian regime during an appearance with ABC’s Jake Tapper on This Week. Director Panetta said he believes Iran has already obtained enough low-enriched uranium to develop two nuclear weapons and questioned the effectiveness of recent U.N. sanctions.  “Will [recent sanctions] deter them from their ambitions with regards to nuclear capability?  Probably not.”

In his op-ed, Dan called the Iranian threat the “most urgent national security issue America confronts today.”  He wrote that all the “inspections, reports and sanctions [haven’t] effectively challenged the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions.”  Dan went on to list the various tracks the U.S. can take on this issue, as outlined in a recent report he co-authored in conjunction with the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Democrats Gather in Indy

Democrats gathered for their state convention in Indianapolis on Saturday.  Incumbent Congressman Brad Ellsworth told delegates the country “is dialing 911 right now.”  He added, “If Washington is not listening and not picking up the phone and answering it, then we need to change the people who are there.”

Ironically, incumbent Congressman Ellsworth is there right now and each time he’s picked up the phone his answer has been to spend (TARP), spend (stimulus), spend (budget) and spend (health spending bill) – not once, but twice.

Read Dan’s Op-ed in Indy Star