We Still Must Engage Iran

In response to the news from the streets of Tehran, American conservatives took to the airwaves, calling for aggressive and direct American support for the demonstrators. Americans are justifiably sympathetic to the Iranian demonstrators but an over the top response from the Obama administration, would only make the situation worse, as it would serve to further the regime's line that these demonstrations are illegitimate-American backed efforts to interfere in Iran. This is why Iranian human rights groups have asked the U.S. to "keep its distance."

Yet Bill Kristol, in comments echoed by other conservatives, said on Fox News Sunday, "I do want to send money. And I want to tell the Iranians who are on the fence and who do want trade with Europe and do want warmer relations with the U.S., 'Look, you've got now to back off or else you don't get anything you want.'" This is the wrong approach and the Obama administration must not give Ahmedinejad the chance to claim that his fight is with Washington, and not with his own citizens. Additionally, there are not many levers available to the United States - and those conservatives advocating direct military action or indirect covert action have seemingly not learned that exporting democracy through the barrel of a gun is a disastrous approach. Instead, the Obama administration should continue to pursue a responsible course that refrains from legitimizing the results, expresses support for the human rights of Iran's opposition, as well as ensures that the U.S. is not strengthening the regime by being seen as directly meddling.

While many have claimed that the crack downs in Iran mean that Obama should abandon his engagement policy, the fact is that engaging Iran is probably more threatening to the Iranian regime then efforts to isolate it. Isolating authoritarian regimes - such as with North Korea, Cuba, or Zimbabwe - often does little to moderate their behaviors or promote human rights or greater openness. Past U.S. policy of isolating and threatening Iran completely failed in both weakening Iran and stopping its nuclear program - and only served to strengthen hardliners.

Going forward, the Obama administration must continue its policy of attempting to engage Iran and its people. As is clearly apparent, the regime feels highly threatened by the prospect of greater openness and engagement with the west. Offering the prospect for greater interaction - far from supporting the regime as conservative critics suggest -would only strengthen those in Iran calling for dialogue. And - if greater interaction were to occur - it would likely only serve to weaken the grip of conservative hardliners.

If Ahmadinejad and fellow hardliners maintain their hold on power, the prospects for a successful U.S. engagement that results in a rapprochement with Iran may be lessened. However, contrary to cries from conservatives, it should not be the United States that turns its back on engagement with Iran. Let them turn their backs on us.

 

Comments

[WierdWookie]

So far, we are angry at the Iranians, Russians, North Korea, Cuba, Braziallians, on and on. Are we over the edge or what?

[TJCole]

Ok Max you go...you go there, and God speed...

[research]

duh. Our friends should be no problem to talk with and engage, it's our enemies that we must work to talk to and engage, without compromising out fundamental strength and morality.

[Javani]

"This is the wrong approach and the Obama administration must not give Ahmedinejad the chance to claim that his fight is with Washington, and not with his own citizens."

And this has not been the Iranian government's repetitious propaganda line for 30 years? Not the claim made in weekly sermons for 30 years?

Any counter-revolution success will start in the non-persian provinces. Maybe at Tabriz.

[Pye Ian - Huffpost Blogger]

Agree completely with Max and have written about it. The wider geopolitical dimensions must be weighed as well.

I.E. Russia and China have swallowed Iran's loyalties to America's strategic detriment.

Washington shoul engage Iran full throttle with enough carrots to strip Iran away from that building Eastern Axis.

[WierdWookie]

Dear, Has anyone told you about our financial condition yet? Consider that. What are carrots?

[Iowafarmgal]

I remember socializing with some of the Iranian students of the late 70's who were receiving an education in the U.S.. They were optimistic, they were bright, they wanted a society free of fear and oppression. Having lived through the Shah, they had their hopes raised that life would somehow get better, then came the Revolution. They left the United States fearing recrimination when they got home for their "western behavior". How utterly, utterly sad that we the United States of American who supposedly stand as a lantern for free people everywhere cannot even issue a statement in support of this struggle for greater personal freedom. No, Iran won't become a Democracy, but we should at least be questioning the validity of this election. We don't have to till the garden, all we have to do is to sow a seed.

[madatnewsmedia]

No we shouldn't! We can not change what has happened, so we should keep our distance from this craziness! Hell, how can we tell others what to do anyway? We don't treat our own citizens right! Our country is falling apart, but we're not working together to make us a better nation, instead we have people who are out to destroy the president at every turn, the special interest groups and lobbyists have just about ruined this country! Minorities are still treated like second class citizens, the greedy have put this country in a tailspin and all of the other issues that are facing this country every day. This country has to be repaired, because right now, we aren't a beacon for any one else.

[Hass]

Kristol doesn't want to "send money" to Iran??? IRan has a large balance of cash sitting on its books thanks to the oil boom, whilst we have a huge deficit financed by China.

[Hass]

IRanians don't look to the US to endorse their presidents. They resent foreign interference in their affairs and are sophisticated enough to see past our rhetoric of democracy and human rights, which sounds particularly empty when you consider that the most repressive regimes in the Mideast which have never held ANY elections, tend to be US allies.

[jhamm1]

I absolutely agree that the administration should maintain diplomacy with Iran no matter what happens.

And another reason for the administration to keep their collective mouth shut on the current election controversy is that to legitimize the fraudulent claims only further emboldens the protesters and is bound to lead to even more violent unrest.

Wars and revolutions have begun this way, so at best, Obama and Biden would do well to tread lightly.