Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Yet More on Iran--And Ambassador Zarif!

Cliff Kupchan reports how the Iranian crisis is deepening ... His conclusions are sobering.

This evening Iran's UN Ambassador Javad Zarif spoke at The Nixon Center. He noted that continued pressure on Iran--and the belief that just a little more pressure will produce results--has instead led to opposite outcomes. The nuclear issue is resolvable but each day it becomes much more difficult. I found it interesting when he said something to the effect that over the next year the U.S. can persuade the UN to authorize more resolutions but at the same time Iran can start up more centrifuges.

The question and answer session was extremely interesting with audience members asking probing and detailed questions--but unfortunately that part is off the record.

Comments:
Several years ago, Perkovich had called getting Iran reported to UNSC a phyrric victory.

I do not see what are the benefits of multilateralism in this case (and in the case of DRK) - why would you want to give leverage to other states on an issue where you hold almost all of the cards?

So now you have got Iran to UNSC and you are going to sanction her more and isolate her. Then what?

Even bombing her, what is the end game?

Aisde being foolish, that is.
 
I would hazard to guess the unknown unknown endgame has everything to do with engorging the off sheet accounts of cabals, cartels, klans, coteries, cronies, and oligarchs singularly and wantonly profiting from this madness, (neverendingwar) - and exceedingly little to do with reason, good governance, wisdom, such quaint notions as freedom, democracy, or liberation, and absolutely NOTHING to do with advancing or defending the best intersts of the American people.

"Deliver us from evil!"
 
Zarif is a clever, cunning diplomat and an excellent propaganda spokesman for his government. It is amazing how people fall for his line.
 
anonymous 6:07 AM:

That Zarif can make persuasive arguments is not relevant.

This is about power and exercise thereof.

I do not think rationality has anything to do with it.
 
Anonymous 6:07--

That's a diplomat's job. He is supposed to represent his government, not agree with you. You Americans have this odd litmus test that a person is judged to be good if he sells out his country.
 
"There must be some way out of here," said the joker to the thief, "There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief. Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth, None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

"No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke, "There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke. But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate, So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late."


Ears to hear, let him listen.
 
"He is supposed to represent his government, not agree with you. You Americans have this odd litmus test that a person is judged to be good if he sells out his country."

Yup. And that sums up our problem with Putin too. Yeltsin could be counted upon to submit to our will, which is what made him such a good "democrat". Putin looks our for his country, which is what makes him "anti-democratic".
 
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