Who's Our Enemy Again?

People ask the darnest things, like "when will our troops come home from Iraq?" But rarely do people ask the simple, but critical questions before a conflict starts. As we see the White House ratcheting up the war of words with Iran, one such silly question might go like this: Which country shares more of our interests: Iran, our supposed enemy, or Saudi Arabia, our official friend in the Gulf?

Our regional "allies" are egging us on for a conflict with Iran, in the form of threats by Saudi Arabia and Egypt that their nuclear proliferation is next if we don't stop Iran, along with a paranoid warning by Jordan's King Abdullah II that a "Shi'i crescent" is rising in the Middle East (read: Shi'is are gaining rights).

But what if Americans from all walks of life were to ask some simple questions? Would we get a better picture of who our friends and enemies really are in the Middle East? Let's have a mock Q&A session and find out.

Which is it, Iran (our enemy) or Saudi Arabia (our friend)?

An environmentalist might ask:
Which of the two countries (Iran or Saudi Arabia) is part owner of the second largest reserve of clean-burning natural gas in the world? Iran

A counter-terrorism official might ask:
From which country do al-Qaeda-friendly jihadists sneak in to Iraq to kill Americans and indiscriminately bomb crowded Iraqi markets? Saudi Arabia

A member of AIPAC might ask:
Which country has gone to war with our ally Israel numerous times? Saudi Arabia

An Islamic reformist might ask:
Which country embraces an Islamic concept called "ijtihad," or religious reasoning, which allows for modern interpretations of Islamic law, even legislation? Iran

An Iraqi-American might ask:
Which country wants to see the Iraqi government succeed, to the point where it sends money and arms to the militias that prop it up? Iran

A conservative Christian might ask:
Which country accepts Christianity as a state-sanctioned religion and guarantees its Christian community seats in parliament? Iran

Someone who hates theocracy might ask:
In which country are the people tired of "Islamic" governance, since, rather than seeing it as an opposition movement, they associate it with a corrupt, self-interested elite? Iran

An Afghan-American might ask:
Which country had a policy of regime change against the Taliban? Iran
Which country was one of only three to recognize the Taliban while Osama bin Laden was given refuge by them? Saudi Arabia

A democrat (yes, lower-case "d" democrat) might ask:
In which country do we see contested elections between diverse factions, and which, to a degree, represent popular will? Iran

An ordinary American might ask:
Which country has a more pro-American population? Iran, several times over

A really concerned American might ask:
Which country has one of the more anti-American populations in the world? Saudi Arabia

These are just a few questions that we might never hear asked. But if we have the answers, why wait for the questions?

Nathan Gonzalez
Author of Engaging Iran

Comments

[Plowboy]

But Israel wants Iran bombed. And we know that, in Washington, what Israel wants, Israel gets.
It doesn't matter what is good, or what is good for US, we will bomb Iran.

[FlowerGirl]

Well, I'm convinced. My enemies want to bomb Iran. My representatives in Congress aren't doing anything to stop them. Thus, I think representatives of "mine" are my enemies. I hope to fire them.
But how do we get back our old diversity in the media?

[SeanGephardt]

Wow, we americans (small a) can't even get along in a threaded coversation, much less the world (small w) stage. I have to agree that it would have been easier to just buy the oil, since we doing that anyways.

Maybe we should try "teaching a man to fish" instead of trying to steal his fish...

[bethinCary]

Confused.
Your question about AIPAC.(Saudi Arabia)

Does going to war "with" mean you are fighting on thier behalf or against?

[Plowboy]

But Israel wants Iran bombed. That is the only issue in Washington. That is our real problem. Face it.
What is good, or even what is good for us, isn't the issue. Just what Israel wants.

[EllisGill]

Wonder why Nathan is not on Mathews, Russert or CNN. Russert brings on Robertson neo-cons 7 Mathews always bring s on rightwing National Review. Nathan is maybe too smart. Nathan is pro peace & not part of defense no-bid scam as is GE , NBC , CNN & Fox . Look how weak George Stehp is , when he keeps asking weak questions about Iraq no-bid scam.Worst is Schaefer of CBS. He is consistently treading the neo-con line. Huffpo whould keep it real to succeed, unlike network TV.

[EllisGill]

BRILLIANT. At least someone educated about Iran. Iran is NO THREAT & HAS NOT STARTED ANY WARS IN THE LAST 100 YEARS. Christians, Muslims & Jews have CO-EXISTED IN IRAN FOR OVER A THOUSAND YEARS. Just visit the historic & thriving Church's in Iran.

[wingnutslayer]

The Iraq war virtually destroyed a vibrant, growing,pro-Democracy movement in Iran. The people of Iran are as sick of the mullahs as we are of the James Dobsons and Pat Robertsons and other would-be mullahs in this country. Yet, Bush and his Reshrublican neo-con cronies, who have ruled us like mullahs since 2001, would gleefully destroy the wheat with the chaff on the outside chance that Iran would immediately start lobbing nukes at us if they ever attained nuclear status. Right George, and like you once so eloquently stated, OB/Gyns aren't being allowed to practice their love on women across our nation. Couldn't these god-awful excuses for Americans have hidden behind a beard that can actually, like, uh, think?

[kwright]

the enemy of my enemy is my friend. you gotta love that one. dubya is drunk with what he perceives as power. he is a mere puppet on the international stage. the saudi royal family have close ties with the bush royal family. as you stated saudi women cannot drive, vote, or leave the house without a male escort. they have the morality police to keep them in line. a foreign female visitor to saudi arabia cannot drive a vehicle while there also. shouldn't our king feel compelled to bring them democracy? as far as a massive nuclear strike goes, it will never happen. you cannot refine oil that has been contaminated by radiation.

[kiafaret]

Nor can women sit in the front seat in a taxi, or laugh in public (they associate laughter with bars). I lived in Jeddah for a while in a compound while contract flying for Saudia Air during the Hadj. I was threatened by the Matawa (Muslim police) for not wearing my scarf in the Suk (market)I was wearing an abaya. We were advised by the Saudi's that no matter what happened we (Americans) would be held responsible. After a long flight one evening the crew bus stopped at a Mcdonald's to pickup some to go burgers. We women had go around to the back door and wait till ALL the men had their food before we were allowed to order. Attention all you religous voters...We do not ever want to live in a Theocracy...not in my America.

[Halsey]

Good post...If only "we" would let them..I have to believe the Iranians would quietly foment a soft revolution of human rights...the U.S. presence in Iraq simply give the zealots fodder...

and I don't for a second think you are writing that Iran is one of the "good guys"...but rather than we're not looking at the whole picture... I remain ASTOUNDED...that the Saudi's are still considered friends...Didn't W say...he wanted to bring democracy to the Middle East? why then..does he NEVER say to his Saudi buddies... um...shucks..why can't women vote...or even drive in your country?
Could it be that Cheney wishes sufferage in the U. S.A. never happened?

Iranian women get plastic surgery on their noses for god's sake...what's more WESTERN than that?

And..the U.S. and the former Soviet Union..thousands of missles pointed at each other..and Nixon brought in there era of MAD (mutually assured destruction)...
Iran does NOT want that radioactive cloud blowing back on their nation..the "fat cats" in the Iranian government...well..they're not the martrys...and dont' want to die...
kinda like our own battle avoiding administration...

[Mr Grey]

Thank you very much. I have been reading reports about the Iranian people and how they really feel about Americans and the hard line of their government. It seems they are having as much trouble with hardliners in their government as we are with ours. As for our dealing with Saudi Arabia, that all falls down to money, oli, money, ad nauseum. An attack on Iran would be the greatest blunder possible, and we would feel the negative repercussions for decades to come.

[mommamia526]

Well, I am not asking a thing. But I have noticed: Iran has declared that it has reached its nuclear goal. Iran has declared that it has 600 missiles aimed at Israel and ready to go. Iran has declared that Israel must be wiped off the map, and the U.S. as well. Iran has shia infiltrators in Iraq. It has similar infiltrators in Gaza, Syria and Lebanon. Iran instructs and provides Hamas and Hezbullah with weapons. Was it Korea that shot an American spyplane out of the sky with a missile? Is it Korea which is cooperating with Iran in providing such missile delivery systems? Is it Iran which thumbs its nose at UN resolutions? Is Europe within the shooting range of Iranian missile delivery systems? It is not only France that warns of a possible war with Iran; The Netherlands has made similar declarations. Now, why would all that be the case? And why are Europeans speaking of having to be ready for war with Iran? Any ideas? And what was again being taken out of operation in Syria a few weeks ago? Were those Korean missile delivery systems? Whatever U.S.'s real intentions are, or are not, there continues to be a stream of provocations coming out of the mouths of Ahmadinejad and cohorts. That is not prudent, unless, of course, Ahmadinejad is itching for some action. The Iranian Ambassador to France has some very targetted and to the point declarations about loose words and provocations, which could be easily applied to Ahmadinejad.

[mpeachhead]

mommamia526, you make a good point. I agree that Iran is a threat to some European countries. Why not let them deal with it then? If someone has to go to war with Iran, France seems like a good choice. Then we back in the USA can sit on our butts, drink some more beer, and criticize the French for their "imperialism." Why in the hell would an American want to get bogged down in another war?

[jst418]

Of which nation were the majority of 9/11 terrorists citizens? Saudi Arabia

[Woofer58]

well, based on that info I think that Bush just about has to invade Iran. (wish he'd do it all by himself... he IS supposed to know how to fly a jet)
Yeah, Iran is probably doomed... simply because if a choice 'can' have a logical path, then Bush has shown to go the wrong way on the path everytime. At least he's consistent.

[JimR]

"Iran is probably doomed"

I don't know... I don't think an invasion of Iran is going to be a cakewalk like the invasion of Iraq was (I am referring here only to the initial overthrow of Saddam's government, not the resulting chaotic aftermath... calm down, anybody who's about to go off on that).

[Tellmethetruth]

This is a truly thoughtful and courageous post. I for one would love to hear a rational Islamic point of view. Our news only allows them to be protrayed as radicals. 1 billions Muslims, but one a couple of thousand terrorists doesn't seem to me to merit silencing a billion people.

Halliburton is in the process of building a pipeline from the former Soveit countries with oil, through Afghanistan and then can either route the pipeline through Iran or Pakistan. Besides Pakistan having enough people to outsurvive us, mountains, and neucular weapons, Iran is flatter, less people, and at the moment no nukes. To get the oil out of Russia who is landlocked is why the Russians fought the war in Afghanistan. Bin Laden knows this. He also knows the US wants to build the pipeline through Afghanistan and Iran.

The current president of Iran is a neucular physicist. He knows what the US is up to as well.

I wish we practiced energy conservation, mass transportation, smaller cars. Does this oil grab seem worth it?

[vitasackvillewesttexas]

i thought ache-my-meany-jihad was a traffic engineer...........