This article was written before the sanctions on Iran were passed
Well so it’s about another step closer to shunning Iran of world finances. The coming week is to mark another set of sanctions on the Iranian regime for their continued development or suspension thereof, uranium enrichment. The goal of course, as always is to put enough pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear activities, no matter the purpose because the trust is just not there.
I have concern for the world safety as well. But, I don’t see the sanctions being productive thus far. Every time the UN Security Counsel slaps more sanctions on Iran, the Iranian regime just gets a boost and more a reason to be defiant in the face of UN Security Council. If the pressure was to work, it would have yielded permanent results by now. Iran is already producing its own military equipment because it knows it cannot depend on the USA for weapons and sale of defensive gadgets. I believe a diplomatic reinstatement between the two countries would open new doors for a better solution where the two parties can sit down, take each other in confidence and move forward. Chances are, Iran will compromise with the US to something that is more workable with and acceptable to the world.
Iranian people already identify with American culture and the western civilization as a whole. All that remains is a proper link to bridge the gaps.
Looks like US and its allies have not learnt from their past mistake. Whenever they tried doing this that country has gone into more turmoil, anti west feeling has increased their and those country just steered away from democratic path. Case in example are Zimb, Iraq, Pakistan etc. If west is really serious about damaging Ahmadnijad hard and bring Iran to true democratic setup, they should just leave them alone. People of Iran will see facade behind this Government(if there is any) and reject them. Its patience game moron. Wait and watch.
if the endgame is to do to iran what was done to Iraq, sanctions are pretty effective in ensuring that they are weakened considerably by the time you go in. I dont think Iran can toughen itself up defensively enough inspite of these sanctions, they have a pretty outdated military now, a lot of it is from when Iran and US were friends. I think that partially fuels irani adventurism, create enough problems outside, have satellite militias in close proximity to western allies etc.
As far as the effects on Irani people is concerned, we know some foreign policy objectives are worth that price.
Sanctions aside, I just don't agree with the whole concept of nuclear non-proliferation. This policy is based on hypocrisy.
It will be a less ambiguous position, if all world powers say that "nuclear weapons are bad, and we will rid the world of all nuclear weapons, so we are destroying our own stock-piles and will make sure no one gets to make nukes as well".
Right now, the policy is, "we have nuclear weapons. We will not allow you to have them because we can't trust you with these toys. We will put sanctions on you if try to build nukes. But if you cunningly develop nuclear weapons then all will be forgiven and we will again be your friends".
This is stupid. This is hypocritical. This is impractical. And worst of all, all this brouhaha over sanctions only helps to hurt the poor people of Iran/Cuba/Iraq/whereever.