Iran: Why Sanctions or Military Force by the U.S. Will Fail

Iran has been the major player in the funding and training of major terror groups. They are a potent and deadly force, and any type of reaction to their growing overt threats must be cautious and considered. The use of economic sanctions will not work for fairly obvious reasons. First it will increase sympathies amongst those we are seeking support from, including those inside Iran.

Then there is the fact that Iran is the 4th largest supplier of crude oil in the world. Sanctions will deeply impact members of NATO who rely on Iran for energy. Russia and China are two amongst many countries, who regularly purchase crudes from Tehran. Make no mistake-sanctions will harden anti-American attitudes, and bring neighboring countries into sympathetic alliance with this extremely dangerous regime.

Which raises a question, why are the young intelligentsia, the pro-western Iranians sitting still for the ever growing repressions seen there? Unlike Iraq, for many years, this young, upwardly mobile, highly intelligent group within Iran, enjoyed a great deal of freedom, and exposure to the Western world, which they embrace. If the answer to this lies anywhere, logically it lies within Iran itself.

The repression and human rights abuses are growing rapidly, including the hanging of a young 11 year old girl for killing her would-be rapist, the cutting off of hands and stonings that are occurring, and the public floggings of women for inappropriate garb. Now, outside communications in internet cafes and other media outlets are methodically being cut off, further isolating the ordinary Iranian from the outside world.

If anything is done by an outside source, it should be in the realm of covert ops, aimed at training and arming Iranians for revolution. Should we be involved? No, we need to avoid the trap set by this master player at the game of war, and remain a calm voice of reason and restraint. The United States cannot afford to become militarily involved at all in this issue. Remember, the 9-11 Commission Report states that there is enough evidence pointing to Iran's involvement, including training, funding, and allowing unfettered access through its region for Al Qaeda.

It's time for our erstwhile European allies to react, and take center stage, while we work behind the scenes to exert every amount of diplomatic pressure to the situation. For Iran wants us up front, and behaving as many on the Middle East claim, as imperialistic tyrants. This is no time for Congress to start their jingoist war drumming and rhetoric. If we handle this correctly, we may finally begin to see a way out of the snare we've become enmeshed in since the September 11th attacks.

I believe Americans are tired of acting the role of savior for the Middle East, where we are neither liked nor respected, and would rather we turn our focus to the very real issues we face at home. Let someone else stand up and be counted, and stop using us as the proverbial whipping boy for every malcontent or nation who disagrees with us. We have a chance to voice our opinion on this, before anything is done. If you really want to try and avert what will only be a catastrophic series of blunders, let your views be known. Speak out now, or we will all suffer the consequences.