James Carafano on Dealing With Iran
On National Journal Online‘s national security blog, the editor asked several experts what Obama should do next with Iran. On February 11, anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Iran announced that it was capable of making high-grade nuclear fuel and kept the so-called green movement in check by suppressing Internet services.
Iran’s intentions are clear. “What Should Obama Do Next On Iran?” The Heritage Foundation‘s James Carafano responds:
“All Obama has to do is-remember Neda. All Neda Agha-Soltan wanted was freedom for everyone. Neda was not alone. It seems like ancient history now, but many joined her in the street protests following the disputed Iranian presidential elections last June. When Neda took to the streets on June 20 she had lots of company. Thousands flooded the streets of Tehran, stranding her cramped Peugeot 206 in a snarl of traffic. Sweltering heat and an inoperative air-conditioner prompted her and two friends to abandon the car. They walked a short way to get a closer look.
“Neda Agha-Soltan was shot square in the chest. She bled out on the street. She did not die in obscurity.
“At least two bystanders captured the shooting on cell phone cameras. The video was uploaded to the Internet–and became the social networking shot heard round the world. Before the end of the day, exchanges on Twitter using the hashmark–#neda–became one of the top trending topics by the end of the day. By June 22, an Associated Press report based exclusively on Internet sources took the story global.
“Tehran in 2009 is not Tiananmen Square in 1989. It is unlikely that the powerful voice of opposition, for which Neda became a universal symbol, will ever be silenced. The Internet will make sure of that.
“The government’s response to the Green movement has only made it turn more oppressive and odious in the eyes of both Iranians and the outside world. Further, Iranian President Ahmadinejad has killed any prospects of accommodation with the West.
“In short, this is a government that cannot stand. While the opposition still lacks the unity to take down Ahmadinejad and company from within, it is only a matter of time. The regime in Iran is primed to be history’s first victim to the Twitter Revolution.
“Obama can help speed the process. First, the United States needs to adopt tough unilateral sanctions that hit the regime in the gut. Second, Obama needs to spare no effort to shame Iran for its horrific human rights record. Third, put the “third site”—the deployment of missile defense to Poland and the Czech Republic–back on the table. Take out every avenue Tehran has to threaten the West.”
Tags: Iran, James Carafano