Informed Speculation

In the most serious way imaginable, it is put up or shut up time at the United Nations:

Iranian nuclear specialists have begun enriching a new batch of uranium in an apparent act of defiance just days ahead of a U.N. Security Council deadline for Tehran to stop such work or face the prospect of economic sanctions, officials in Washington and European capitals who have been monitoring Iran’s efforts said yesterday.

Inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency plan to formally disclose the new enrichment work, as well as additional Iranian nuclear advances, in a report due out tomorrow, according to the officials, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The timing is not a mistake, and it only serves as unneeded confirmation that Iran has no intention – none – of giving up its nuclear program voluntarily. Talks are fruitless, as Iran, through rhetoric and actions, is basically daring the U.N. to impose sanctions. The deadline will pass tomorrow – if sanctions are not forthcoming, it will be an abdication of responsibility by the diplomatic community that rivals any since Munich, 1938.

In other words, we are approaching a watershed moment – how the Security Council reacts to Iran’s defiance will define its continued relevance, or lack thereof. A toothless U.N. Security Council is an answer in search of a question…