Is the president doing enough to support the election protests in Iran? In our view the answer is: maybe.
There is no doubt that the ruling theocracy in Iran uses the “Death to America” theme all the time to rally support from the Iranian public. It has worked for 30 years and is the basis for Iran’s foreign policy.
Iran is on the fast track to at least produce material for nuclear weapons. Just like North Korea, it in all likelihood wants to produce both the warheads and delivery systems quickly. It is clearly in our best interests in deterring such production.
Iran also wants to become the dominant economic and military power at least in the Middle East. It would love to achieve both economic and military hegemony over Israel. It wants to promote its brand of Islam over other Arab countries as well. Its support of terrorism throughout at least the Middle East, if not worldwide, supports such policies and goals.
The burning question is: How does America deter such policies and encourage Iran to “blend” into the mainstream of international relations peacefully?
Since the Iranian Revolution, America, and to some degree the European Union, has used the stick of diplomatic and economic isolations to attempt to force change in Iran. Based on its military and economic progress over the past 30 years, such attempts have been inadequate.
Some would promote strengthened economic sanctions. Some would like to “turn Israel loose” and let it launch a pre-emptive military strike against Iranian nuclear sites. Some would even promote an American military strike.
The president has chosen a different approach, one of dialogue, non-interference in internal Iranian debate while at the same time enunciating basic American principles that Iran should adhere to both internally and internationally.
It is a very difficult problem. The real question is: Do we as Americans have the patience, endurance and willingness to let the “power of the people” or long-term economic consequences take deep enough roots in Iran to force radical internal change as they did in the former Soviet Union?
Our conclusion? Maybe.
Opinion
In our view: Will it be enough?
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
-
Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
-
Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
-
Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
-
Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
-
Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
-
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
-
Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
-
Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
