tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34135100.post8522229410826527042..comments2024-01-21T02:42:13.447-05:00Comments on Middle East Reality: Why does Iran not just submit to US demands?Arnold Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11445744338502151561noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34135100.post-76376369683435198982010-04-19T13:29:51.938-04:002010-04-19T13:29:51.938-04:00I meant to note the conflict with Russia in my ear...I meant to note the conflict with Russia in my earlier post, but left it out for the sake of brevity. The US does not automatically resort to hot war as its only option. Yes - war with Russia would have been too costly, but also the US decided the circumstances warranted "containment", code for using economics, propaganda, covert destabilization and diplomatic encirclement to achieve its objectives. It persisted with that policy for decades until the Soviet Union disintegrated. The case of Cuba is even more interesting. The US has taken a spurious excuse of lack of democracy to embargo a small, poor Caribbean nation, and is loosening that noose only at the rate that Cuba is slowly forgetting its former belligerent ways.<br />I think the US is warlike but is not irrational. I even disagree with Arnold when he considers America's support for Israel as irrational and contrary to American interests. When I recounted part of US's violent history I meant to show the extraordinary combination of military might and will to use it, as well as economic and diplomatic power plus - if need be - consistent and patient application of policy that can span decades until its aims are achieved.<br />Given the combination of circumstances that have put Iran in the cross hairs of the US, Europe and Israel combined, I would like to keep an open mind to the possibility that Iran's present course may be brave but in the long term could also prove foolish. I don't dispute that this course is what the people of Iran have chosen, but its up to leaders and statesmen to debate alternative policies and suggest a course that is likely to be sustainable in the LONG term.Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00506182763667565808noreply@blogger.com