SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : American Presidential Politics and foreign affairs
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  
To: RMF who wrote (35761)6/9/2009 3:15:48 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) of 71588
 
Those who argue for a softer more diplomatic approach to groups like Iran's government focus on the "the hardliners can use us a bogeyman" aspect of a harder more confrontational approach, and the fact that two groups trying to show strength to/against each other may cause issues to escalate. Those who want a harder approach focus on the fact that a softer approach may cause internal opponents to think that we are cozying up to the regime and don't support their opposition to the government, and may make the regime think they can get away with more.

I think ALL of these factors (and many other ones) are real issues. The problem is figuring out the balance of them in each case. I suspect we might not agree with the particular balance here, but whatever the exact balance clearly a lot of factors are relevant to the choice of how soft or hard of reaction we should have.
Report TOU ViolationShare This Post
 Public ReplyPrvt ReplyMark as Last ReadFilePrevious 10Next 10PreviousNext  

HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2025 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News