Stage 3: Critique #1

Jonathan Tobin is the author of the article: Obama Leads From Behind Israel on Iran; a segment in his continuing articles pertaining to situations arising, as well as on-going, in Israel.  Mr. Tobin is the senior online editor for Commentary magazine. He has copious documented online articles pertaining to Jewish life and times and particularly to the subject of this critique.  His is from a Jewish perspective and from a religion-based platform.  Mr. Tobin has been awarded a handful of honors by assorted Societies of Professional Journalism. This spotlighted article appeared in Commentary's February 3rd issue, this year.

This piece is intended to bring attention to the escalating problem of Israel's kerfuffle with Iran.  Tobin's voice is meant to strike the attention of any reader piqued by global concerns, particularly those of Jewish interest and/or descent. This business is happening currently and may have global effects for generations. The tonality of his article is passionate, and is intent on stirring emotion in the reader. 

Mr. Tobin is vehement regarding the dangerous state of affairs in which, he deems, America is placing Israel. He purports that if Iran is not prevented from continuing to develop nuclear 'medical' advancements, that Israel will have no choice but to act alone--as militarily as they're able--against the Iranians' continued nuclear strides.

The assumption made in this article is that once Iran's nuclear development morphs into nuclear weaponry, they (Israel) will be the proving ground for the new munitions.

The values held in this article are those of the inherent matter of human life--to protect it and to stand together with allies (which in this case includes America and, according to Mr. Tobin, she's sidestepping the matter.)

Mr. Tobin expounds on a few finely-hued points regarding:

• The Zone of Immunity 

                    a period of time when there'll be no one to stop Iran

• American (and allies) Sanctions  

                    to 'corral' President Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei from doing 

                    dirty deeds

• President Obama's Image

                    Tobin fears President Obama is viewed by Iran as a weak leader without the 

                    fortitude to back up his innuendo

Tobin provides persuasive discourse as well as supporting links to additional factoids that reinforce his article including documented evidence of threats previously issued by Ahmadinejad and Khamenei which press the urgency of this quandary.

The argument is successful in its attempt at extracting passion for foreign allies. Although I am statically against war as a standard, I am all for 'controlling the bully on the playground for the sake of the rest of the kids'. This situation is delicate from many perspectives and although there's much in the article that isn't addressed regarding the complicated diplomacy thriving in this mayhem, this single sliver of a topic is addressed effectively.

I am more convinced after reading this article that attempting further peaceful negotiations with Iran is likely futile considering their continued nuclear development, their threats to Israel (as well as the West) and their apparent disdain for their own (and few) allies.

Admittedly, I wasn't well-versed in this recent (and frightening) development Iran's made in nuclear technology, but after researching this Commentary article, reading several of Mr. Tobin's blog entries and subsequently performing some specific searches on this topic, I have to say my world feels less safe than it did a few weeks ago.

The political implications of this argument are unfortunately occurring during a season that requires our president to play fiddle for the hordes.  That being said however, my thoughts on the geopolitical results of Israel acting on their own behalf would be a colossal fubar, spiraling us into yet another episode of cataclysms, death and tragic-isms. 

God help us.