Iran: The 11th Hour?
According to the BBC today,11th hour negotiations between Iran, Russia, and the EU reguarding Iran's nuclear program have been requested, and this only three days before the IAEA holds a key meeting in reguards to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
So by the looks of it every meeting prior has produced little, and even the deal set up by Russia seems to be on the rocks, having failed to yeild any new breakthrough in the midst of this crisis. I believe the world needs to face the fact that it's being played, and played well, by this country that would rejoice in seeing half of the international community either destroyed or overrun by Islamic law.
Action needs to be taken, and not some half hearted Kofi Annan inspired slap on the wrist either. Sanctions may be the way to go for the United Nations Security Council, but they need to be hard hitting, however, with Russia and China on the Council the chances of such a vote succeeding could be murky. At that point, if a vote fails, then the US may once again have to build a "coalition of the willing" and impose sanctions apart from the UN.
An interesting point to make here is that of UN and US funding of democratic movements within Iran. It may be something the UN should do, but is something we know the Unites States is doing (or desires to do) through the State Department, as Secretary Rice testified a few weeks ago. Why might this be a good idea? Simply put, as Michael Totten stated today, "the gap between the people of Iran and the government that rules them is galactic when it comes to embracing the West" - in other words, the people of Iran love the west and resent the government that opresses them. With a majority of the population in Iran being young, there is hope for change.
What about military action? It is still an option, and should be. Will it come to that? I hope not, but with a radical like Ahmadinejad as President of Iran, it very well still may. If it does, strike hard and strike fast, because that may be the only chance you get to put the "school yard bully" in his place.
So by the looks of it every meeting prior has produced little, and even the deal set up by Russia seems to be on the rocks, having failed to yeild any new breakthrough in the midst of this crisis. I believe the world needs to face the fact that it's being played, and played well, by this country that would rejoice in seeing half of the international community either destroyed or overrun by Islamic law.
Action needs to be taken, and not some half hearted Kofi Annan inspired slap on the wrist either. Sanctions may be the way to go for the United Nations Security Council, but they need to be hard hitting, however, with Russia and China on the Council the chances of such a vote succeeding could be murky. At that point, if a vote fails, then the US may once again have to build a "coalition of the willing" and impose sanctions apart from the UN.
An interesting point to make here is that of UN and US funding of democratic movements within Iran. It may be something the UN should do, but is something we know the Unites States is doing (or desires to do) through the State Department, as Secretary Rice testified a few weeks ago. Why might this be a good idea? Simply put, as Michael Totten stated today, "the gap between the people of Iran and the government that rules them is galactic when it comes to embracing the West" - in other words, the people of Iran love the west and resent the government that opresses them. With a majority of the population in Iran being young, there is hope for change.
What about military action? It is still an option, and should be. Will it come to that? I hope not, but with a radical like Ahmadinejad as President of Iran, it very well still may. If it does, strike hard and strike fast, because that may be the only chance you get to put the "school yard bully" in his place.
posted by A. R. Welty at 10:54 AM
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