Save Iran
Liberals Against Terrorism cites a Committee for the Present Danger policy report on Iran that has some recomendations for a U.S. approach to Tehran. LAT thinks it's a good list, and so do I:
It embraces much of what eventually worked for us in Eastern Europe during the Cold War; part Reagan, part Willy Brandt. As Praktike at LAT writes, " It goes beyond the simplistic engage/isolate debate, and tries to do both simultaneously -- by isolating Khamenei and his circle while engaging the Iranian people and working to separate the security forces from the regime."
"Pave Iran" isn't viable (it never was). The Iraq project puts our army in their front yard, but it also weakens our military hand against Iran; the mullahs know they now can cause real problems for America for the cost of a suicide bomber's bus fare over the border. This will require the hard power-soft power rope-a-dope.
- Offer to reopen our embassy in Tehran
- Step up cultural, academic and professional exchanges
- Authorize American non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to operate within Iran
- Arrange for young Iranian activists to attend civic campaign seminars in the U.S. and elsewhere
- Engage in interaction between such agencies as the CIA, FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency with Iranian counterparts on issues such as drugs and terrorism
- Build a legal case against Khamenei and his associates for their financing of terrorists and human rights violations in order to build pressure for them to "return to the mosque" or face a possible international tribunal
- Use "smart" sanctions to target assets of Khamenei and his associates
Provide up to $10 million a year to fund independent satellite television stations now broadcasting from the U.S. to Iran.
It embraces much of what eventually worked for us in Eastern Europe during the Cold War; part Reagan, part Willy Brandt. As Praktike at LAT writes, " It goes beyond the simplistic engage/isolate debate, and tries to do both simultaneously -- by isolating Khamenei and his circle while engaging the Iranian people and working to separate the security forces from the regime."
"Pave Iran" isn't viable (it never was). The Iraq project puts our army in their front yard, but it also weakens our military hand against Iran; the mullahs know they now can cause real problems for America for the cost of a suicide bomber's bus fare over the border. This will require the hard power-soft power rope-a-dope.
Labels: Iran
