Wednesday, February 28, 2007


Council On Foreign Relations: "Time For Detente With Iran"

There's an important article coming up in the new issue of Foreign Affairs. Now, if I happened to be running an Open-Source Intelligence Agency instead of the Home For Interesting Women, I'd be sure to get every advance copy of that publication and read it from cover to cover. As it is, I prefer my beloved, cheeto-dust-stained issues of "Car and Driver," "Vibe," and "Video Gaming Monthly," thank you very much.

You needn't bother to read the article, other than to know that it's the lead piece in the March/April issue and is written by Ray Takeyh, who is probably the closest thing to an objective expert on Iran you're likely to find in this country. He's been running around saying the same thing for about three years now, basically that it would be better to negotiate with Tehran than nuke it. The difference is, suddenly he's saying the same thing on the cover of the "most influential periodical in print." This...is...very...good. It means the Other People who run the country (I mean besides the Office of the Vice President, PNAC, AIPAC, et al) are fairly united in their desire to normalize relations with Tehran.

If you insist on getting all wonkish, you could go read the transcript of Ray's interview with the managing editor of Foreign Affairs (Gideon Rose) at last week's meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations, you know, the meeting where other important matters were examined, like voting to let Angelina Jolie become a member. Which she now is. I think we know which way Henry Kissinger voted on
that one.

(The pic recalls the scene from Monty Python's Holy Grail where the knights who say "neet!" run into the vulnerable bunny which turns out to be a vicious attack rabbit. Knightly blood spurts everywhere and the armored ones run away screaming, "Run away! Run away!")

3 comments:

Naj said...

Howdy,
HopeSpringsaTurtle intorduced me to you. Pleased to see your blog!
I think the objective voices about Iran are plenty in America, they are just seldom heard. I am of the opinion that Iranian-American scholars such as Abbas Milani, Trita Parsi and Hooshang Amirahmadi exemplify those group of experts with deep knowledge of Iran and foriegn relations.

What is lacking in the North America, is a comprehensive account of history as it has unravelled.

Please visit my blog now and again, I am contributing bits and pieces to this missing picture, as time allows me.

I do trust that the washington admministration is looking for an exit to begin talks with Iran. The war lobby, however, empowered by Israeli supporters (who are not really afraid that Iran will wipe ANYONE off ANY map, but rather afraid of the balance of power and stability that will follow Iran's resumed relations with the US) is pushing hard.

I will not be surprised if Israel launches a unilateral attack on Iran, gets a little slap on the wrist from uncle Sam, and hopes for Iran to unleashe a response, that will justify America's catastrophic action!

Naj said...

Howdy,
HopeSpringsaTurtle intorduced me to you. Pleased to see your blog!
I think the objective voices about Iran are plenty in America, they are just seldom heard. I am of the opinion that Iranian-American scholars such as Abbas Milani, Trita Parsi and Hooshang Amirahmadi exemplify those group of experts with deep knowledge of Iran and foriegn relations.

What is lacking in the North America, is a comprehensive account of history as it has unravelled.

Please visit my blog now and again, I am contributing bits and pieces to this missing picture, as time allows me.

I do trust that the washington admministration is looking for an exit to begin talks with Iran. The war lobby, however, empowered by Israeli supporters (who are not really afraid that Iran will wipe ANYONE off ANY map, but rather afraid of the balance of power and stability that will follow Iran's resumed relations with the US) is pushing hard.

I will not be surprised if Israel launches a unilateral attack on Iran, gets a little slap on the wrist from uncle Sam, and hopes for Iran to unleashe a response, that will justify America's catastrophic action!

MarcLord said...

Nice to see you, N. I'll check out your blog!

Arabia and Israel can argue over who really owns the blue-eyed slave, but the President of Iran is in Saudi Arabia right now. The Saudis seem to be leaving the US off at the curb, and setting up a conference of stakeholders. I wouldn't be surpised if Dick C. is in Riyadh chatting with Mr. Ahmadenijad right now.