In Mein Kampf, dictated by Adolph Hitler to Rudolph Hess during his 18 month imprisonment after his failed coup against the German Republic, a detailed plan for a future greater Germany was laid out. Included were plans for overcoming the limitations on the German military mandated by the Treaty of Versailles, a plan to dismember neighboring countries to expand the borders of Germany, the elimination of Jews from German territory, and the establishment of German hegemony over all of Europe.

When Hitler achieved political dominance, he promptly began the process of implementing those plans laid out in his book. The world, and in particular Europe, chose to view Mein Kampf as propaganda, meant to further Hitler's political career. His rearmament program was ignored. The militarization of the Rhineland was ignored. The increasing segregation and marginalization of German Jews was ignored. His demands for the partition of Czechoslovakia, and the subsequent loss of that countries independence, were agreed to in a policy of appeasement. It took the outright invasion of Poland, with the assistance of the Soviet Union, before democratic Europe woke to the perils of a Nazi Germany. The most surprising aspect of this sequence of events is that so many people in positions of authority did not seem to be aware of the coming storm. Hitler had written exactly what he was going to do, yet the elite of Europe were surprised when he did it.

A recent policy statement from Iran's new president should be a stark warning to all clear thinking people in the world, but in particular, to Europe and the United States. Israel, due to its history, already understands the sequence of events which even now is unfolding.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a major policy speech in honor of Jerusalem Day, one of the closing commemorations of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This speech was essentially a foreign policy speech, outlining some very specific goals of the government of Iran. Ahmadinejad had some very interesting things to say about the future course of Iran's relations with other nations, as well as how the government views other Muslims.

Not surprisingly, the speech contained the expected screeds against Israel, Zionism, and Jews. What were new were the very specific threats against Israel, the United States, and those member states of the United Nations who voted to establish a Jewish state after World War II. And just what did the president of Iran say? Let's take a look.

On Israel and the United States, Ahmadinejad was quite specific. "Is it possible for us to witness a world without America and Zionism? You had best know that this slogan and this goal are attainable, and surely can be achieved." "Very soon, this stain of disgrace (i.e. Israel) will be purged from the center of the Islamic World." The president of Iran is specifically threatening to attack and destroy not only Israel, but the United States as well.

On Europe, he was again pretty specific. Referring to Western Democracies as the "World of Arrogance", he said "We are in the process of an historical war between the World of Arrogance (i.e. Western civilization) and the Islamic world, and this war has been going on for hundreds of years." "This occupying country (i.e. Israel) is in fact a front for the World of Arrogance (i.e. The West) in the heart of the Islamic world. This means that the current war in Palestine is the front line of the Islamic world against the World of Arrogance". The president if Iran is acknowledging that the invasions of Europe by Muslims over the past thousand years are a war that is ongoing, and will be continued.

With regard to those who are not Muslim, he said "In this very grave war, many people are trying to scatter grains of desperation and hopelessness regarding the struggle between the Islamic world and the front of the Infidels.". The president of Iran is categorically stating that Muslims are at war with Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and any other non-Muslim.

When speaking of those Muslim countries which have reach an accord with Israel, Ahmadinejad had this to say. ".He is an egoist and his hedonism leads him to recognize the Zionist regime - he should know that he will burn in the fire of the Islamic Ummah (nation)." Egypt, Lebanon, and any other Islamic nation which may agree to peaceful relations with Israel are now threatened with destruction by the president of Iran.

The parallels between the Ahmadinejad foreign policy speech, and Hitler's articulated goals in Mien Kampf, should not be ignored. Yet, the few mentions in the media about this major address seem to focus only on his call for the destruction of Israel. An analysis of his entire commentary should be raising warning flags all over the world. Yet sadly, this seems not to be the case. President Ahmadinejad has articulated not only the future actions of Iran, but has done much to explain the Iranian government's actions over the past 20 years, which appear to be unexplainable to most western governments and media.

Iran has been the chief enabler of terrorism by Islamic Jihadists for twenty years. This seems to be perfectly understandable if Iran considers itself at war with Israel, Europe and America. They not only support many of the terrorist organizations in the world, but they even established their own vassal organization, Hezbollah.

Iran considers the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as only the first step in the elimination of the Jewish state, and the creation of a greater Palestine. Doesn't this seem to remind one of the fate of Czechoslovakia?

Iran is unquestionably on a course to develop nuclear weapons. They already have the necessary delivery systems to attack not only Israel, but much of Europe, thanks to the North Koreans and Communist China. The statements by the president leave little doubt that he will use these weapons when they are available, since in his opinion, a state of war already exists between Iran and the West. Do memories of the rearmament of Germany come to mind?

Despite these clear pronouncements of the official policies of Iran, we continue to treat these comments as just another political exercise, much like an American campaign promise. A member state of the United Nations has directly threatened two member states, as well as those who do not share a specific religion. Yet Iran remains a full member, with all rights and privileges intact. Iran is continuing its development of nuclear weapons, yet many of the western governments continue to use offers of aid and trade to get a voluntary discontinuance of their arms programs. Does the word appeasement ring any bells? Iran continues to subsidize any number of murderers and terror organizations, yet most countries continue to maintain diplomatic relations with this government. Iran is a major provider of supplies and personnel to the 'Insurgency' in Iraq, yet no condemnation of this support has been heard. Iran has stated its intention to continue the Islamic war against European civilization, yet the only thing the European capitals seem able to do is issue statements saying Ahmadinejad's comments are "unacceptable".

I think that the United States, Europe, and the United Nations need to get a healthy dose of reality, and respond to the Iranian government in terms it will understand. There may still be time to avoid a military confrontation, but that time is fast disappearing. The recall of Iranian diplomats from more than 40 posts so that any moderates can be purged is but the next step in the implementation of the policies so clearly enunciated. The replacement of suspected moderates by hard line Islamists will signal an escalation of demands and terrorist activities by a government committed to creating chaos. I would suggest that the following be implemented without delay.

Iran should be expelled from the United Nations. They have clearly violated the very basic membership requirements as listed in the UN charter.

Diplomatic relations with Iran by all European nations should be terminated. Iran has already stated that it is at war with Europe, and has been for centuries.

All economic and trade relations with Iran must be severed, and a total embargo on all incoming and outgoing goods should be enforced. No nation should continue 'business as usual' with a country with whom they at war.

As with any infectious disease, the political manifesto expounded by Iran's leadership must be isolated. While this will undoubtedly create hardships on the citizenry of Iran, a quarantine of this regime is necessary to protect the world from an ideology gone mad. If effective, these actions may result in the people of Iran taking back control of their destiny, rather than allowing fanatics to dictate their future. However, with the political will of Europe in doubt, and a mainstream media ruled by political correctness and blinded by an agenda of 'understanding and tolerance', I frankly doubt that any of these actions will be taken. It will be up to the mullahs of Iran, and their presidential front man, to decide the fate of Israel and Europe, with a potential death toll not seen since 1945.

The world did not believe Adolph Hitler when he said what he would do when he achieved power in Germany. And the world appears to not believe Mahmoud Ahmadinejad when he states what his intentions are. Is 2006 going to be our 1939, or have we learned that the arrogance of power will cause extremists such as Ahmadinejad to tell us in advance exactly what they have planned? Will we listen?

Tom Glennon is a retired Manager with an international bank. A Chicago native, he retired at the location of his last assignment, in the Des Moines, Iowa area.

Tom has served on his County Republican Committee, as well as having served as the County Campaign Chair for Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa). His volunteer work has covered a variety of community based efforts, including youth athletic organizations, Junior Achievement, Youth at Risk, and the Boy Scouts.