Question for Mr. Pipes

Submitted by Ali (United States), Feb 3, 2010 at 11:32

Good morning Mr. Pipes,

I am an Iranian and read your article "How to Save the Obama Presidency: Bomb Iran" this morning. After reading it, some questions came to my mind that I would like to share with you.

1- Are you suggesting that Obama orders "bombing Iran" just to dispatch his "feckless first year down the memory hole and transform the domestic political scene?" Or just to "sideline health care, prompt Republicans to work with Democrats, make netroots squeal, ...!?" Are these the objectives that you are proposing? And for these objectives, the U.S. should enter into another conflict!?

2- How about the disaster that this act inflames in the Middle East? Did we solve the problem of Iraq, Afghanistan, that a third problem is going to be added to the list? Didn't American show in 2008 that they are sick and tired of military conflicts overseas?

I am sorry if my questions are too direct, but I could not do better after I read the suggestions in this article.

Regards,

Ali G.

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Daniel Pipes replies:

1. I thought I made it clear that the overriding priority is protecting the United States: "By eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat, Obama protects the homeland and sends a message to American's friends and enemies."

2. There could well be many unpleasant consequences of such a strike. But I expect that they will pale next to the consequences of Khamene'i, Ahmadinejad, et al. deploying nuclear weapons.