Iran's involvement with Syria
Reader comment on item: Israel and Syria going to war?
in response to reader comment: Re: A bad Idea for everyone

Submitted by Chris G. (United States), Jun 22, 2007 at 11:27

When it comes down to it, we really do not know how much influence Iran has over Syria. We do know that they do have a mutual defense agreement that was signed last year in June 2006. The US Media doesn't talk about this much. However if we were to attack Iran, Syria would be obligated to attack the United States and our forces in the region. This means a two front war.

As far as the nuclear question goes, I agree that Ahmedinejad just might be crazy enough to use nuclear weapons and make his country a nation of "shahids" (martyrs). Here is the thing about national leaders and this goes for our own President: National leaders tend to live in their own bubbles of reality. Their reality is often a fantasy land because they lose touch with common people and what is really going on in the world. They are surrounded by people dictating to them what "reality" is. THAT my friend is why we need highly skilled diplomats to meet directly with Ahmedinejad in order to burst that fantasty bubble.

Such a diplomat would have to be highly trained in Persian history, Shi'a theology, and in the workings of Iranian politics. Imagine for a second what would happen if we had one of our best diplomats sit down with Ahmedinejad and speak as a friend to him about the honest reality of what the most likely scenarious are if he chooses to continue to build nuclear weapons. We need to quietly beg him to not force us to bring his country to ruin in a bloody airstrike and invasion.

We also need to speak frankly to him about what would happen if were to attempt to use nukes against Israel. We need him to know that not only would Iran be turned into a nuclear wasteland, but that the Israelies would likely destroy the holy cities of Mecca and Medina using hidden ICMB's and submarine launched nuclear missiles. Any other missiles would likely target the capitals of major Arab cities. Then we ask him, "Is this your idea of Judgement Day?" "Is it Allah who speaks to your heart or is it Shaitan (Satan), master of chaos and destruction, that whispers to your pride so that Islam is destroyed in a nuclear holocaust?"

Followed by that we need to give him another alternative. One in which in exchange for halting his nuclear program, we develop strong economic relations and investment in Iran. One in which we make Iran a partner in trying to save Iraq from chaos. One in which Ahmedinejad will be known as an Islamic leader for peace and justice. Shi'as are the traditional enemies of Sunni extremists who have attacked and slaughtered them for centuries. Iran has the potential of being a powerful ally with America. Their country in many ways is highly modern. Yes, they do have serious human rights issues that need to be addressed. However so does China who we are happily trading with and using for cheap labor.

With positive encouragement and good diplomacy using well trained charismatic diplomats, we could potentially get Ahmedinejad to make peace with Israel and to work positively with Israel and the Palestinians for a peaceful solution.

Believe it or not, but Iran and Israel also have strong ties already with a small population of Jewish Iranians as well as followers of the Bahai faith residing in Israel. The Bahai World Center is actually located in Haifa, Israel. In the past under the Ayatollah Khomeini, the Israelies actually sold weapons and aircraft parts to Iran as well during the whole Iran-Contra scandal era.

When it comes down to it, peace is in Iran's best interest if they want to grow into a highly modern and advanced Islamic state that with economic incentives (tied to improvements in human rights) could really move them forward while allowing them to retain their Islamic identity.

We need to start thinking outside the box folks. Because right now, war with Iran over these nukes is just going to horrible for EVERYONE. And for what? Pride and Ego on all sides??

We need strong leadership in this country to bust through the B.S. in international politics and who will talk to our enemies man to man. We need to maintain a strong military, but we also need to put Christian values into action. Reaching out with forgveness and mercy and showing a little humility to Iran and Syria wouild go a LONG ways towards that. Right now we just threaten them and treat them like idiots. Even if they are, its bad diplomacy to do that as it doesn't get you anywhere. This isn't rocket science. Its just basic human psychology. Once we understand that we can get a lot more done towards peace in the region.

Chris G.

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