Letter: U.S., Russia Must Cooperate

Your editorial “Iranian Face-Off” (Our View, Feb. 16) rightly exhorts the United States to strongly support Israel’s right to self-defense. It is also imperative to work with the Russians to curb escalating Iranian/Syrian/Hezbollah/Hamas aggression. Otherwise, more dangerous confrontations will soon erupt, possibly leading to all-out war in the Middle East.

De-escalating the bloody Syrian civil war presents the best opportunity to collaborate to defeat radical Islamic fundamentalism, both Sunni and Shia. Iran must be prevented from expanding and strengthening its military presence in the region: Lebanon, the West Bank, Gaza and the Sinai. Its goal is to encircle and attack Israel.

Russian help is needed to thwart this very dangerous behavior. It is important for us to remember that the United States and Russia worked together during World War II to defeat deadly foes: Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and imperial Japan. Nuclear proliferation is not in either country’s interest and puts the whole world at risk. North Korea and Iran are allied in their quest to obtain nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles as soon as possible.

The U.N. Security Council presents an opportunity for greater U.S.-Russian cooperation to stem these dangerous activities. Time is of the essence to recognize mutual threats to the peace and security of the world and especially Israel.

— Gail K. Ripans, Sandy Springs