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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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Reader comments (39) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
THE BACKSTABBING MIDDLE EAST ! [363 words]jack backermanSep 8, 2007 06:39108238
Zakir naik [51 words]Dirk PittmanSep 8, 2007 01:47108202
7 DEADLY SINS OF GEORGE W BUSH: [585 words]Ernesto RibeiroJul 14, 2007 13:44103669
You are right about clinton! [297 words]jackSep 22, 2007 21:16103669
Syria announced a July 15th deadline for Syrians to leave Lebanon... [761 words]James VesceJul 12, 2007 14:58103526
the root of war against terrorism is rich iranians in usa and other countries accross the globe! [346 words]zari namdarJul 6, 2007 10:18103107
2To... Zari Namdar [1699 words]Aria M.Jul 10, 2008 13:47103107
To Arya M,From: An XXX Iranian {now 100%American} [340 words]zari namdarJul 11, 2008 02:32103107
To Zahra Namdar, a.k.a Iranian Hater [1669 words]Aria M.Jul 13, 2008 18:05103107
1heheheh [31 words]kivancJan 19, 2009 08:33103107
1Let's work instead of beeing jealous [39 words]FredFeb 20, 2010 21:52103107
You are wrong [106 words]MaryJun 21, 2010 00:11103107
1bullshit [42 words]PersianAthiestDec 28, 2010 00:19103107
DIRECTOR [84 words]SASANJun 12, 2013 22:13103107
End Times War? [52 words]Clifford IshiiJun 20, 2007 17:4499719
Not only exciting... [2 words]JoshuaJun 21, 2007 22:1799719
Response to 'Endtime war?': [35 words]Matthew 24Jul 21, 2007 08:4899719
War with Israel, suicide for Damascus [545 words]Chris G.Jun 19, 2007 21:1699580
Re: A bad Idea for everyone [225 words]JoshuaJun 20, 2007 17:0999580
Iran's involvement with Syria [808 words]Chris G.Jun 22, 2007 11:2799580
No war on the Golan Border [201 words]yuval Brandstetter MDJun 11, 2007 06:0997637
Ahmadinejad [81 words]JoshuaJun 10, 2007 21:4597617
Next Year in Jerusalem? [141 words]Rebecca MouldsJun 8, 2007 20:3297001
2Israel The Only Real Superpower In Middle East, Iran, Syria, Wanabees [124 words]AnneMJun 23, 2007 08:3897001
Bashar-al-Assad [83 words]Len MarkowitzJun 7, 2007 19:5496652
Is Assad that stupid? [55 words]Oscar NavarroJun 7, 2007 19:2096647
The passage of time [119 words]David W. LincolnJun 7, 2007 19:1796645
The problem with war [65 words]freemanJun 7, 2007 17:5396636
Dr. Pipes is Right unfortunately.- Deterrence in action. [278 words]YnnatchkahJun 7, 2007 17:2096634
hezbollah a factor [63 words]LEON ZEITZERJun 7, 2007 15:1596619
Incompetence has a way of generating unpredictability [59 words]RandyJun 7, 2007 13:4396483
Negotiating strategy? [32 words]Bobbie WenickJun 7, 2007 12:1196478
Israel and Syria diplomacy [224 words]jJun 7, 2007 10:1496466
Diplomacy and Mid-East don't mix. [177 words]Oscar NavarroJun 7, 2007 19:4396466
Diplomacy is only as good as the Diplomats [762 words]Chris G.Jun 30, 2007 23:4496466
Israeli leaders, weak or strong, inevitably make bad deals with the Arabs [428 words]Kenneth S. BesigJun 7, 2007 10:0096465
Frogs Luxuriating in a Large Pot of Warm Water, Over a High Flame. [619 words]marianaJun 9, 2007 11:5196465
1War necessary for peace? [655 words]Chris G.Jun 26, 2007 18:5096465
For Money, The Koran does not comdemn to have business with Jews. Palestinian's Scandal. [400 words]Ynna (tchakh)May 19, 2007 17:0193648

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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 and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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