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.