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Young Voters Speak Out: Each day, RR.com will spotlight politically minded youth writers from throughout the U.S. speaking their minds on Election 2012. First-time voters, student journalists and new graduates will debate the Obama vs. Romney race to the White House. Young Democrats, Republicans and ‘Undecided’ Americans are eager to play politics and choose the next Commander & Chief.
Read Justin Tepper's thoughts from the perspective of an undecided voter:
The attack on Israeli tourists at the Bulgarian Black Sea beach town of Burgas is only the most recent event in a covert conflict between Israel and Iran. For years, the United States and Israel have been trying to prevent Iran from enriching uranium to the point where it can be used to develop weapons of mass destruction. However, while their efforts have hindered the Iranian nuclear program, they have ultimately failed to eliminate the threat. I do believe Iran will eventually fall, however, because too many countries are against them and their own people are starting to stir.
An unidentified terrorist, detonated a bomb in the parking lot of an airport with the intent to kill Israeli tourists. He ultimately killed himself, a Bulgarian bus driver, and five of his targets, Israelis. Immediately the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed it was the work of the Lebanese Hezbollah but sponsored by Iran.
It is widely believed, Iran was retaliating for the Israeli assassinations on Iranian nuclear scientists. Since 2007, five Iranian scientists have been killed. In addition to the loss of life, a cyber war has been taking place between the two countries. For example, in 2009 a Stuxnet malware virus affected Iran's centrifuges which set them back a great deal. Once again, it is believed, Israel perpetrated the attack, with American help.
Economic sanctions have hit the people of Iran more than the ruling elite. The European Union oil embargo, which was put in place on July 1, has only exacerbated the situation. The people ruling Iran and the people being ruled have very different ideas on where their country ought to go.
The Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, has continually charged Iran and Hezbollah with the Bulgarian attack which claimed five of his countrymen. The bloodshed should not be a surprise, however. Iran and Israel have been in conflict for years. Though they have not eliminated the Iranian uranium enrichment program, I believe the United States and Israel will win this diplomatic stalemate. Too many countries are against Iran and the country's populace might be growing restless. As a result of the effectiveness of the recent oil sanctions, I feel a military strike by either the U.S or Israel would be unwarranted. Right now the peripheral conflict between the Israelis and the Iranians in the form of assassinations and computer hacking is costly but still better than a full-scale war. The Bulgarian attack will heighten tensions as well as political rhetoric, but hopefully for now that is all.
