Article

2004-02-18

Hardlinersâ victory in Iran to make diplomacy easier

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Posted by Dan Darling 2004-02-18 8:55:09 AM|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Having conservatives running everything may not be a reflection of the will of the Iranian public, but it will probably make our job -- as diplomats trying to deal with the people that matter -- much easier.

And this, more than anything else, makes it clear why diplomats are among the lowest scum on the planet.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-2-18 9:12:19 AM|| [http://www.kloognome.com] 2004-2-18 9:12:19 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 It was much easier for Chamberlain once Hitler pulled the gloves off too.

Posted by Super Hose 2004-2-18 10:52:05 AM|| 2004-2-18 10:52:05 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Remember, diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggy" while reaching for a/an (insert weapon of choice here). Recall from yesterday that the JDAM production won't be complete untill 2006.
If the Izzoids choose to get totalitarian in the meantime, well, that makes the obvious next move easier to justify in 2006.
Besides, historicaly totalitarian regimes tend to weaken their militaries in order to insure political reliability. That makes any military option all that much easier.

Posted by N Guard 2004-2-18 10:57:09 AM|| 2004-2-18 10:57:09 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 however, it will make the job of newspaper reporters more difficult because they won't be able to pretend in a 'moderate' Iran.

Posted by mhw 2004-2-18 11:13:46 AM|| 2004-2-18 11:13:46 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 hmmm...I have a problem with this. Oh sure, there is truth to this...but isn't this like saying, we don't reach out to Martin Luther King, because he doesn't represent the white power structure? Or..how about ...ignore Thomas Jefferson - it is really King George who is in charge?

I think I agree with Robert Crawford.

Posted by B 2004-2-18 11:20:33 AM|| 2004-2-18 11:20:33 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 I can't make a case for dealing with the hardliners in Iran.. But IMO we probably have less leverage in Iran than any other country on earth... I think we have more with the nutty NORKS. I think positive engagement and lots of smutty videos are the way to go.

Posted by Shipman 2004-2-18 5:12:10 PM|| 2004-2-18 5:12:10 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 My 6 was aN effort in Demo thought. But deep down, where my tiny ego lives, I think we will likely need to
PINCER THE BASTARDS!

Posted by Shipman 2004-2-18 5:14:20 PM|| 2004-2-18 5:14:20 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 Shipman, you had me. I thought you had embraced the dark side - appeasement. Why is it mandatory that the US engage the kooks in every corner of the earth? There are too many people in the world for us to kiss absolutely everybody's tush? Let's play the Toaist emperor and tune in some American Idol while the idiots from Bam try to make emplosives in a rickety mobile lab while riding the rails to oblivion. Casey Jones you better watch your speed...

Posted by Super Hose 2004-2-18 8:17:43 PM|| 2004-2-18 8:17:43 PM|| Front Page Top

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