Containing a Nuclear Iran

Newsweek by Fareed Zakaria | Oct. 5, 2009 (Opinion)

It is time to clarify the debate over Iran and its nuclear program. It's easy to criticize the current course adopted by the United States and its allies, to huff and puff about Iranian mendacity, to point out that Russia and China won't agree to tougher measures against Tehran, and to detail the leaks in the sanctions already in place. But what, then, should the United States do? The critics are eager to denounce the administration from the sidelines for ... Full Story »

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 by James Canning - Oct. 5, 2009

Good piece by Zakaria. I would ask why the US would even wish to injure Iran's nuclear program, provided it is strictly civil. Zakaria is quite right that an insane US or Israeli attack on Iran would entrench the government further, rather than weaken it. I think Iran seeks stability in the Middle East, particularly in Afghanistan and Iraq, so normal relations between Iran and the US would sderve the interests of both countries. Mao's China split from its alliance with the Soviet Union years before Nixon went there in 1972. Zakaria describes Iran's effort to help the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and the Shia community in Lebanon, as a "foray" by "thugs". A clear element of Iranophobia displays itself.

Iran has sought normal relations with the US for many years, in the same way Cuba has sought normal relations with the US. The inability of the US to carry out its foreign policy without the childishmess displayed toward Iran and Cuba, is seriously tiresome.

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