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Iran's nuclear ambitions and military capabilities are at a critical juncture. U.S. officials warn Iran could produce the necessary quantity of enriched uranium to weapons-grade levels within a few weeks, which it could then use to assemble an operational nuclear weapon. With the Middle East's largest ballistic missile arsenal, Iran poses a significant threat to Israel and parts of Europe. Those who call for the U.S. and its allies to stop Iran argue this is a “now or never” moment to stabilize the region and protect global security. Acting now would send a clear message to Iran’s allies, such as Russia and North Korea, that would otherwise test America’s resolve. Those who argue we can tolerate a nuclear Iran say while it’s not ideal, it is manageable. Instead of military intervention, the focus should be on diplomacy and containment, as Iran’s leadership has shown pragmatism in avoiding direct conflict with the U.S. and its allies in the past.
As tensions rise in the Middle East and a new president is soon to lead the U.S., we debate the question: Can America and Its Allies Tolerate a Nuclear Iran, or Is It Time to Stop Them Now?
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DonateThe boosters are rolling out. In places likes the U.S., Britain, Israel, Germany and France, authorities are providing additional Covid-19 vaccines with the goal of bolstering immune systems and shoring up their economies. Though vaccines such as Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech have proven highly effective against the virus, efficacy wanes after six months, rendering older adults and those with weakened immune systems more vulnerable. Yet a debate about fairness is growing. Billions of people haven gotten at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, though much of the planet remains unvaccinated, beleaguered by lingering scarcities and difficultly of transport. Offering booster shots to those who have already gotten their jabs is akin to “hand[ing] out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets” while “leaving other people to drown,” said World Health Organization Emergency Director Mike Ryan. Not so, say others. Places like the U.S. were not only global hotspots for the viral transmission, but they also remain as core threats to the global economy with the increased threat and spread of Covid variants. Though getting the rest of the globe vaccinated is critically important, it is unrealistic, they argue, for political leaders to ignore these threats to their own populations. In the context of this emerging divide, we ask the question: Are booster shots unethical?
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A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, Open to Debate, formerly known as Intelligence Squared U.S. addresses a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics.
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