In case you were among those rejoicing when the latest NIE suggested Iran had discontinued the quest for nuclear capabilities, you may want to temper your enthusiasm.  Russia has shipped  nuclear fuel to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government. 

Vladimir Putin has grown increasingly adversarial to American interests, and with a struggling economy it is not surprising that he’d jump at a chance for what he no doubt sees as a win-win-win. Putin gets to:

1. Strengthen his alliance with the mad man of Tehran
2. He makes a big sale putting cash in his bank account
3. And, he thumbs his nose at Washington and the international community.

Those favorable to the deal would say there is no real cause for concern because the nuke program will be “under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency.” What exactly will the United Nations do if/when Iran escalates the program? What will the UN do when Ahmadinejad refuses to show the committee “everything?” What will the UN do when the inspectors are tossed out of Iran? Pass 17 more toothless resolutions, as they did with Saddam?

Iran’s passion for nukes, Ahmadinejad says, is only to produce energy for the oil rich nation. Anyone who believes that might be willing to buy beachfront property in Wyoming, too.

At the same time that we are supposed to believe that all the concern about Ahmadinejad has been misplaced, there is another report from the Pentagon that sophisticated weapons including rockets and mortars continue to be shipped from Iran into Iraq to kill American soldiers.

This is not a time in history to adopt an “ostrich” foreign policy. We need to be realistic about the threat that looms and grows.