Second post from old site (Originally posted 9/5/09):
Earlier this Summer, as the news junkies among us spent days on end refreshing our Twitter feeds in search of the latest developments from Iran, I found myself in a series of really fascinating discussions with my fellow addicts concerning the appropriate course of action for the Obama Administration. Critics were quick to denounce his perceived lack of action and demanded that the US take a strong stand with Mousavi and his supporters. But they didn’t, choosing instead to issue several strongly worded, yet quite measured, statements. The first addressing only the obvious irregularities, but not directly criticizing the Regime itself, and later addressing the human rights violations we watched day after day.
I can certainly understand the desire, as an American, to assist people, wherever they may live, in a life or death struggle for freedom. But by inserting ourselves and all of the baggage that comes along with US intervention (especially in the Middle East and ESPECIALLY in the current geo-political climate) would have been a disaster, and the White House deserves more credit than they received for the restraint shown. Of course the no brainer from a purely political perspective is to roundly denounce the regime, rattle the saber a bit, and enjoy the temporary rise in public opinion polls. Perhaps even throw in a few U.N sanctions for good measure.
But let’s follow that course of action through to its logical conclusion. Active U.S. intervention, on any level, would have given the regime an instant scapegoat to explain away the protesters. Of course, they used it anyway, but to massively diminished effect. We also would have run the risk of alienating Iran’s moderate youth. For years experts on the Middle East have discussed the fact that despite the Ayatollah’s iron grip on today’s Iran, the younger generation is quite progressive. This is important, because true organic regime change must occur from within. A brief examination of our forays into “helping” other countries over the last 100 years or so illustrates that pretty clearly. To intervene could possibly set back the more reasonable factions of Iranian society for a generation. Americans tend to think that we hold the monopoly on national pride, when in reality it exists just as vibrantly all over the World. It’s akin to that age old double standard, “I can call my wife a bitch, but if YOU do it we’re gonna fight”.
Following immediately on the heals of the Iran election came the ousting of Zelaya from Honduras. Different situation entirely, but with the same problems resulting from U.S. interference. The Administration came out in support of Zelaya and demanded he be returned to power. As the facts surfaced however, it became quite clear that this was no coup. This was democratic checks and balances at work. Zelaya was taking the first steps down a Hugo Chavez style takeover and the legislative and judicial branches exercised their constitutionally granted power to stop it. Confusingly, the Obama Administration decided against the prudent policies embraced in Iran and continued to lobby for the reinstatement of Zelaya. Now, I will be the first to argue that, just like in Iran, our support of the new government in Honduras (although to characterize Micheletti’s Administration as a new government isn’t really accurate) would ultimately serve to diminish its credibility in the region. But why actively criticize? Why not stay the hell out of it? Zelaya’s removal was finished, to our ultimate benefit, and our name was nowhere near it. Earlier this week, the State Department announced the end of all aid to Honduras, which totally confuses me as to Obama’s foreign policy goals.
Is if on cue, this week Israel announced plans to undertake significant expansion in West Bank settlements. Now I understand that its blasphemous to criticize Israel or our unquestionable support of them. The price we’ve paid for this support has been the ire of the rest of the region and an important recruiting tool for terrorist groups everywhere. Which, in itself, isn’t a reason to abandon Israel or even distance ourselves. Rather than gratitude and cooperation, however, Israel seems to relish the idea that no matter how aggressively and uncooperatively it may behave towards its neighbors (I’m including the Palestinians in that group) we’ll stand by them. The Administration’s scolding of Israel this week is a positive sign of things to come and an encouraging sign that perhaps the Obama that acts in the Country’s best interest rather than that of his poll numbers has returned.
-EL
