2008 Woodie Awards
Bush's Iranian Dilemma
Howie Slugh
Issue date: 4/18/05 Section: Opinion
Which headline does not belong on the following list?
1. The Bush Administration demands Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.
2. Egypt announces its intent to hold fair, multiparty elections.
3. Eight million Iraqis vote in Iraq's first free election in decades.
4. Afghanistan holds successful elections.
5. The Ukrainian Orange Revolution succeeds in forcing democratic reforms.
6. Momar Quadafi voluntarily turns over his nuclear weapons program.
7. Bush, Lawmakers Consider Carrots for Autocratic and Repressive Iran.
The answer is quite obvious. In the day of the "democratic domino effect," it is nonsensical for the Bush Administration to even consider propping up the Mullahs. The Bush doctrine has been so successful, that countries which seemed to be solidly in the autocratic camp have been jarred loose and appear to be on the verge of rejoining the free world. The only thing that can stand in the way of this world wide revolution would be the anathema of ignoring past successes and returning to a strategy of pure realpolitik. Iran is ripe for democratic reform, and these conditions continue to increase on a daily basis. According to the regime's own public opinion polls, more than 70 percent of the country is dissatisfied with the Mullahs. Numerous Iranian leaders, including victims of torture and extended jail time, have proposed a national referendum. The list of supporters includes one unexpected name: Mohsen Sazgara, the founder of the dreaded Revolutionary Guards and a member of the Ayatollah Khomeini's original team. It also includes pro-democracy activists and some of the country's leading theological figures. At last count, more than 18,000 Iranians of different political loyalties have endorsed the referendum. The time is right to offer positive inducements towards forces supporting democracy, not to members of the Axis of Evil.
In the past, the President has seemed averse to rewarding Iranian bad behavior. Unfortunately rumors abound that the President may join in with the European Union, to offer the Mullahs inducements (in the form of aid) in return for a promise to never develop nuclear weapons. This would be a disastrous mistake. The Iranians still refuse to even admit that they are trying to create nuclear weapons, so what would their promise not to develop such weapons be worth?
1. The Bush Administration demands Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon.
2. Egypt announces its intent to hold fair, multiparty elections.
3. Eight million Iraqis vote in Iraq's first free election in decades.
4. Afghanistan holds successful elections.
5. The Ukrainian Orange Revolution succeeds in forcing democratic reforms.
6. Momar Quadafi voluntarily turns over his nuclear weapons program.
7. Bush, Lawmakers Consider Carrots for Autocratic and Repressive Iran.
The answer is quite obvious. In the day of the "democratic domino effect," it is nonsensical for the Bush Administration to even consider propping up the Mullahs. The Bush doctrine has been so successful, that countries which seemed to be solidly in the autocratic camp have been jarred loose and appear to be on the verge of rejoining the free world. The only thing that can stand in the way of this world wide revolution would be the anathema of ignoring past successes and returning to a strategy of pure realpolitik. Iran is ripe for democratic reform, and these conditions continue to increase on a daily basis. According to the regime's own public opinion polls, more than 70 percent of the country is dissatisfied with the Mullahs. Numerous Iranian leaders, including victims of torture and extended jail time, have proposed a national referendum. The list of supporters includes one unexpected name: Mohsen Sazgara, the founder of the dreaded Revolutionary Guards and a member of the Ayatollah Khomeini's original team. It also includes pro-democracy activists and some of the country's leading theological figures. At last count, more than 18,000 Iranians of different political loyalties have endorsed the referendum. The time is right to offer positive inducements towards forces supporting democracy, not to members of the Axis of Evil.
In the past, the President has seemed averse to rewarding Iranian bad behavior. Unfortunately rumors abound that the President may join in with the European Union, to offer the Mullahs inducements (in the form of aid) in return for a promise to never develop nuclear weapons. This would be a disastrous mistake. The Iranians still refuse to even admit that they are trying to create nuclear weapons, so what would their promise not to develop such weapons be worth?