Submitted by Werner(United States), Aug 3, 2005 at 22:28
Iran doesn't develop a nuclear power because they aren't treated equally but because they want to be THE power in the muslim world. Who ever challenges the US successfully is getting credit for it in the muslim world.
whether they hate us or not is not the point, they can do whatever they please. as long as they respect standing regulations. Abviously Iran doesn't.
Why should one treat the Iranians as equals if they are not? The Mullahs and Ayatollahs don't treat their people as equals. They sent them into the war with Iraq to become martyrs. They even drove out to catch youngsters and sent them to the front to be killed. I say don't treat Mullahs and Ayatollahs as equals. mostly they are not, they religious tyranns. Treat them as such.
That their 'civilization' is thousands of years older doesn't mean it is better. A tin Lizzy doesn't compare to a Mustang.either. There are objective measurements to see whether their is a 'civlization' or not. Election performed after democratic rules is one of those. Good Governance can also be observed. If a 'civilization' abolishes interest like Iran did in the past without understanding solely because the Qu'ran said so is stupidity and not good governance.
Whether other states loathe the US or not is of no interest of the US. States are not about friendship they are about common interests. Any state has an interest that Iran doesn't develope nuclear weapons. They would be delighted if the US destroyes their abilities. Officially they might condemn the US but no other action will follow. secretly I am sure, many arab states asked the US already to do so. (If not even Israel).
The US has to be careful because it depends on the oil. If the dependance can be broken by developing alternative fuel (hybrid, propane, hydrogen etc) then nobody would have an interest in muslim states. If lets say, the US makes it a national focus to develop hydrogen engines and infrastructure in 10 years all muslim states would collaps economically and they would knock on our doors to beg for developement. Then you can use your leverage and demand whatever you want.
Instead of putting billions into the development of Iraq we could put billions into hydrogen technology and defeat all muslim states in a positive way without killing or coercing them.
greetings
W.
Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened for relevance, substance, and tone, and in some cases edited, before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome, but comments are rejected if scurrilous, off-topic, vulgar, ad hominem, or otherwise viewed as inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the Guidelines for Comments.
