The New York Times headline surprised me, drew me in: How to Press the Advantage With Iran
It was an op-ed piece written by Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Everett, respectively the “director of the Iran project at the New America Foundation and a professor of international affairs at Pennsylvania State University” and “the president of a political risk consultancy.” The pair are also former National Security Council staffers.
Experts, clearly.
The New America Foundation is notable for having postulated (controversially) that the 2009 Iranian presidential election might not have been fraudulent. Having jointly authored an article for Politico entitled, “Ahmadinejad won. Get over it,” the Leveretts appear to concur.
But it was the headline I found compelling: Press what advantage, exactly? And to what end?
I had to know.
Sadly, in an essay running a little over 1500 words, “advantage” appears only once, in the title. The rest is an apology for the Iranian regime’s point of view and a paean to lost opportunities. If only George Bush had extended the olive branch to Iran while it was shipping explosively formed penetrators to Shiite militiamen, perhaps this whole Uranium enrichment thing could have been avoided. And all those missiles.
Well, perhaps.
But surely, in all those ink-stained tears, the pair has a recommendation?
Absolutely they do – roll over:
Instead of pushing the falsehood that sanctions will give America leverage in Iranian decision-making — a strategy that will end either in frustration or war — the administration should seek a strategic realignment with Iran as thoroughgoing as that effected by Nixon with China. This would require Washington to take steps, up front, to assure Tehran that rapprochement would serve Iran’s strategic needs.
We should formulate a strategic alliance with a regime that is the world’s principal state sponsor of terrorism, that continues to not merely support terror groups in Lebanon and Gaza but which terrorizes its own citizens, whose acts have caused the deaths of hundreds if not thousands of US servicemen and – by prolonging and supporting the carnage in Iraq – untold thousands of Iraqis. Whose “strategic needs” include the destruction of a UN member state and US ally.
Because apparently the only way to fight terrorism is to reward it.
Thank you, I’ll have none.
Ahh, the dependable New York Times, “All The News That Is Fit To Print”
Indeed.
Er,.. “All the news that fits, we print!”
“strategic realignment”, eh? That worked great in Iraq during the 80′s! Now let’s try it with their next door neighbor and former enemy!
“Roll over?” No, more like “Bend Over.”
(as in: stand by for the ram)
So whattaya do about issues like them supplying IEDs to our current foes? What about Israel and “off the face of the map” threats? What about killing its own dissident population? What about support for the Kurds against Turkey? What about teaming with the NORKS to develop WMD and delivery vehicles?
Oh THOSE issues! Well, we don’t bring those up in polite company. We all have our faults and why can’t we just live together. I’ll bet those Iranians mullahs even drink Coca-cola and eat M&Ms.
Yep, they’ll be friends for life. Right up until the point when they can end your life.
VX, in the Naval Services the word is BOHICA. It’s what the left does to our country at every turn.
OK… Mister smart-ass …I know your just chomping at the bit to be asked…so for those feral few who might actually give a flying fig…here goes…what does BOHICA stand for?…oh great and all wise one. Best
Bend Over Here It Comes Again!
G-man, On behalf of the/we feral few…Many Thanks…now the Naval Services connection really makes sense…although a follow-up question has arisen…”rear admiral”… another connection… maybe? please advise…ICSFTH. Best
We found something snide Snake didn’t know! LOL!
I won’t touch “Rear Admiral.”
In some relationships it’s only a partnership when you’re on top.
Cue the episode wrap up music;
“… if ya can’t beat ‘em; Join ‘em!”
Cue the canned laugh track.
Cartoon wisdom packaged by Hanna Barbera and Terrytoons and foisted on us by the current batch of Cartoon World dwellers.
“. . . assure Tehran that rapprochement would serve Iran’s strategic needs.” Yeah, that’s the ticket. Real genius at work here. Particularly so when Iran’s oft-proven strategic ‘needs’ and desires just happen to be completely opposite of those of the United States, or should I say “the Great Satan.’
So, aside from allowing our people to be killed wherever found by the terrorists supported by Iran, and removing ourselves from any contact with the Mideast, including withdrawing support from Israel, what more can we do to please the writers and their friends? Darned hard to understand how people with good educational backgrounds, and not stupid people, can be so clueless.
Education doesn’t make a person unstupid. In many cases, particularly with the left, it makes them more stupid. However, that is granting that their leftist indoctrination is education, and they do grant degrees in it.
Reminds me of Brave Sir Robin in the ‘Holy Grail’ when confronting the ‘Killer Rabbit’.
“Perhaps if we run away some more it will make a mistake.”