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Should the US establish diplomatic relations with Iran?
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Results so far:
| Yes | 68% | 177 votes | Total: 261 votes | |
| No | 32% | 84 votes |
Yes
by S.M. Ross
Created on: October 30, 2007
Diplomatic relations with Iran is a necessary function of a sovereign nation. Although many practices are very different from American politics, the United States is foolish to think in a global society that it can revive the isolationist policies of the early years of the nation. The president of Iran will eventually be replaced. Eventually change will come. Just as the great empires of the past fell, so will this regime eventually fall in Iran. It would behoove the American government to maintain, at the bare minimum, a level of civil discourse. America has alienated many nations that once looked to her for support. She must learn how to work cooperatively in a new global society, especially as nations like China experience the birth of their own economic expansion.
To be so rigid as to say we will not talk to terrorist regimes is ridiculous. Someone once said to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. To determine Iran is unfit for American diplomacy could result in a much deadlier stand off than American policy towards Castro's Cuba. The Bay of Pigs would pale in comparison to Iran the use of nuclear weapons.
If America desires to remain a world leader, she must learn to lead with confidence, but not just confidence in her military prowess. She must become skilled at learning how to use the art of diplomatic persuasion to get the point across. If the Iranian government continues to parade around the world and paint such a negative picture of the United States, eventually she will be left to stand alone. Alone is a bad place to be when everyone else is working together and you are on the outside looking in.
Diplomacy does not mean you agree with the policies of a particular government. Diplomacy does not mean you are weak and unable to exert force if necessary. Diplomacy, in fact does the exact opposite. It demonstrates to a world that a nation is not above its own rhetoric of truth, justice and democracy. As a matter of fact, diplomacy actually honors the principles of America's very nature. Diplomacy, a very well crafted and clever diplomacy, creates a rationale should military force ever need to be taken. Patience is required in diplomacy. It is a dangerous chess match in which the United States of America cannot afford to lose.
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No
by Harvey Stelman
Created on: November 22, 2007
Should the US establish diplomatic relations with Iran? This is not "keep your friend's close, and your enemies closer." Iran is our enemy, not our friend. Ask the people that were held hostage in our Embassy there in the seventies. They were treated poorly, and paraded around for the media. This is all against every treaty in modern history. Iran told the world to "stick it!" Fast forward to the present day.
The United Nations passes resolution after resolution, demanding Iran let nuclear inspectors into their plants. The result is always the same, another resolution is passed for the same purpose. What could we gain by having relations with a country that turns its head at the United Nations, sponsor's terror, and whose weapons kill American soldiers?
We always hear phrases like; "he's a moderate Iranian, or many of the young people there love America?" I have always wondered what a moderate Iranian is, someone please help me! As for the young people, they have no power. The world is led to believe that their President, that little guy is in charge. That works for the media, but not reality. Iran is run by religion, the Mullahs are where the power lyes.
Their President talks about how much they love everyone, yet they want to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth. He proclaims that women are revered in his country, but they have no rights. He was one of the people that helped take over our Embassy in the 70's. What has Iran, and The Little Guy done to establish relations with the US besides nothing?
They speak of having so much in their country. Yes they do have plenty of oil, but they only have one refinery. That isn't sufficient for the needs of their country. The economy is in shambles, and unemployment is extremely high. Isn't this all wonderful?
Wanting to eliminate our ally, Israel. What can the Iranians do? If there was war, tiny Israel would destroy Iran. That's why the Iranians support organizations like Hezbullah, let them do the dirty work. Iran will sit back, and say the Israeli's are killing these poor people.
Even Europe is beginning to look over the relationship with Iran, and looking positively at the US. Al-Queda which gets funding from Iran is being driven out of Afghanistan, and Iraq. Even though most media won't sat it. If we are successful in what we are doing in the middle east, George Bush will go down in history as a great President. Many don't want to hear that, but if peace can be achieved who do you think gets the credit?
If we establish relations with Iran, what does anyone think we will get from this? They don't listen to the United Nations, why would they even want to hear what we say? Relations would mean negotiations. What do you think Iran would be willing to negotiate with the US?
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