http://www.usmilitary.com/blogs/949/a-peaceful-nuclear-program-for-iran/ Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:23:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.usmilitary.com/blogs/949/a-peaceful-nuclear-program-for-iran/comment-page-1/#comment-604 William deB. Mills Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:23:37 +0000 http://www.usmilitary.com/blogs/?p=949#comment-604 You make a very interesting argument, as far as it goes. But there are other considerations. First, the history of the last 10 years sends the whole world the clear message that countries lacking nuclear weapons will not get respect, and Iran very much wants respect. If you knew the history of Russian, British, and after 1953 American mistreatment of Iran (perhaps you recall the US navy's shooting down of an Iranian airliner), you would understand how they feel. Second, Israel dominates the Mideast militarily, breaking all the rules other nations are expected to adhere to, because it follows the policy of strategic ambiguity - "don't ask, don't tell" for countries. Iran seems to be working its way toward an equivalent policy. That is, as long as Iran's enemies have nukes and yet are accepted in regional affairs, Iran is not going to renounce the potential for getting nukes and tolerate being marginalized. Indeed, it probably will not even accept full participation in Mideast affairs in return for giving up all technical capacity at this point. The advantages Israel gains from strategic ambiguity are all too obvious. In fact, Iran has renounced nuclear arms as a legitimate goal, but it does appear to desire either a sincere accommodation (which would no doubt include ending Israel's rogue status) or strategic ambiguity, which at a minimum would mean the ability to weaponize overnight. Room for compromise exists, but bullying Iran is not the way to get there. You make a very interesting argument, as far as it goes. But there are other considerations. First, the history of the last 10 years sends the whole world the clear message that countries lacking nuclear weapons will not get respect, and Iran very much wants respect. If you knew the history of Russian, British, and after 1953 American mistreatment of Iran (perhaps you recall the US navy’s shooting down of an Iranian airliner), you would understand how they feel. Second, Israel dominates the Mideast militarily, breaking all the rules other nations are expected to adhere to, because it follows the policy of strategic ambiguity – “don’t ask, don’t tell” for countries. Iran seems to be working its way toward an equivalent policy. That is, as long as Iran’s enemies have nukes and yet are accepted in regional affairs, Iran is not going to renounce the potential for getting nukes and tolerate being marginalized. Indeed, it probably will not even accept full participation in Mideast affairs in return for giving up all technical capacity at this point. The advantages Israel gains from strategic ambiguity are all too obvious. In fact, Iran has renounced nuclear arms as a legitimate goal, but it does appear to desire either a sincere accommodation (which would no doubt include ending Israel’s rogue status) or strategic ambiguity, which at a minimum would mean the ability to weaponize overnight. Room for compromise exists, but bullying Iran is not the way to get there.

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