That article is not meaningful at all. Unlike the US, the surrounding countries maintain normal relations with Iran. It's similar to the Iranians getting upset with the Taiwanese because the Taiwanese and the US are buddies. It doesn't happen that way.
Of course the UAE and Iran are going to try to maintain good relations. They are right next to each other on the map, and Iranians make up somewhere between 1% and 25% of the UAE population (depending on who you beleive).
That's not the point. The point was that before we hand away our security on port to the UAE, we'd better take a look at who they are in bed with. It seems that friendly relations with Iran doesn't concern you. But Iran has a martyrs brigade with 40,000 ready made suicide terrorists in it. So I'll be damned if I'd support one country who has friendly relations with another which is our sworn enemy. Doesn't make any sense at all.
Why shouldn't the US and Iran maintain good relations? Answer me that. What does the US have to gain by trying to isolate Iran in world affairs, rather than trying to incorporate them into world affairs in the way the US does Pakistan?
Because frankly Iran has shown no willingness to become part of the civilized world. Instead, their leader talks incessantly about how the holocaust is a myth, how nukes are their right, builds up a 40,000 strong brigade of suicide terrorists, and is the world's largest sponsor of terrorism. So you tell me why we should be friends with Iran? They haven't done one damn thing to deserve our friendship.
As usual, the elephant in the room is Israel. I don't think Israel should be the US's fight. Democracy says the views of 1.2 billion Muslims should trump the views of ~6 million Israelis. Geography says Israel is at best a multi-cultural land, and more likely primarily Muslim land (just look at a map). American's view that all men are created equal says that a country which grants citizenship to an Australian Jew but not to a stateless Muslim born in land occuppied by Israel is wrong.
Why should the Muslims living all around Israel determine the fate of Israel, which is a sovereign state? They have no right to determine the fate of Israel, no more than they have a right to determine the fate of the US. And let's face it. If we gave them that right, they would destroy Israel and they would destroy the US. So this is existential for both of our countries.
So you tell me, why is the US not making more of an effort to have "good relations" with Iran in the way that the UAE is making that effort. I'll be for the UAE it will pay off well economically and culturally and enhance the UAE's security. Why isn't the US making the same effort?
Again, because trust and friendship must be earned. You don't go from being a murdering, state sponsor of terrorism seeking nukes to most favored nation over night. It takes reform. When you can tell me that Iran has renounced terrorism, nukes, and that they have become a true democracy, then I will tell you it's time to open up a new relationship. Until then, forget it. |
