Writing in this week's Defense News, Efraim Inbar, a Political Studies professor at Bar-Ilan University and the director of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, argues, A nuclear Iran would strengthen its hegemony in the strategic energy sector by its mere location along the oil-rich Arabian Gulf and the Caspian Basin. These adjacent regions form the "energy ellipse," which holds more than 70 percent of the world's proven oil and more than 40 percent of natural gas reserves. Improving revolutionary Iran's ability to intimidate the governments controlling parts of this huge energy reservoir would further strengthen Iran's position in the region and world affairs. Inbar believes "terrorist entities will feel more secure and confident with the backing of a nuclear Iran" and that Tehran will feel free to increase its already substantial aid to violent groups. Inbar's concern about Iranian control of Persian Gulf and Central...(Read Full Post)