“The New York Times called on Israel this week to conduct a responsible discourse on the Iranian issue. The New York Times is right. But the Israelis are entitled to turn to the Americans now and demand the same thing. At this point the American discourse about the Iranian nuclear issue is not sincere, courageous and responsible enough. The American political system and part of the American media are not grappling sincerely and thoroughly with the Shi’ite nuclearization and its significance.

The post-traumas of Afghanistan, Iraq and the economic crisis have prevented America from taking a hard straight look at Natanz’ centrifuges and Fordow’s underground bunker. America has not fully comprehended Iran. Nor has it mobilized all its resources to stop Iran.

The American failure is tragic. Already a decade ago it should have understood that as a superpower its greatest challenge was to pave a third way, which would spare us all from the terrible dilemma of bombing or facing the bomb. Already five years ago Washington should have understood that its duty was to impose paralyzing sanctions on Iran, seal it hermetically in a closure and wave an intimidating military cudgel at it.

But America didn’t understand because it was immersed in other painful matters. Its inaction can be explained, but cannot be denied. In all that concerns Iran, the United States did too little, too late and without sufficient determination.”

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