How can US foreign policy be improved by the paradox that Iran is often viewed as Americas most serious threat even though its youthful population is among the most pro-western Muslim countries? - by Kath

How can US foreign policy be improved by the paradox that Iran is often viewed as America's most serious threat even though its youthful population is among the most pro-western Muslim countries?

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by Kath

Created on: July 17, 2008

I'm not sure that the United States foreign policy toward Iran's government while the youthful population of Iran appears pro-Western is a paradox. By one definition, a paradox is a statement that seeems to contradict itself. I can honestly say that all human government does seem paradoxical from time to time, our current administration no exception. However, our government's stance is toward the policy makers of Iran, not its youth. I believe that the crux of the matter is Iran's preference for Palestine over Isreal, although I am aware that sounds naive and simplistic.

First, to gain better understanding of the series of events that led us to where we are today, I did a little on-line research. I began by visiting the CIA's World Fact Book. I love our country. So much information with such little effort. The site is posted by the CIA. It has to be true! (Is that a paradox? Just kidding.) Seriously, the web site offers a wealth of information. I highly recommend you check it out. Here are some interesting factoids:

1. Iran's government is a Theocratic Republic, established April 1, 1979.
2. Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy November 4, 1979 and held it until
January 20, 1981). Incredible! What was that about?!
3. Iran's Constitution was enacted December 3, 1979.
4. Iran's flag consists of three horizontal stripes: green, white, and red. A sylized tulip,
a symbol for martyrdom, is centered in the white stripe. ALLAH AKBAR(God is Great) repeats
itself in Arabic on the edges of the white stripe.

Now, please forgive me if I err in my following interpretation of Iran's governance or any person's names. I mean no disrespect, I am trying to understand a culture that I have not had much exposure to. My understanding is that Iran has a Supreme Leader (Khamenei) who is the chief of state. President Ahmadi-Nejad answers to the Supreme Leader. The president is the head of the government, which is comprised of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. (Sound familiar?) President Ahmadi-Nejad was elected by a 62% vote over his rival. He is serving a four year term, and is eligible for a second consecutive term. The legislative branch has 290 seats, 170 held by Conservative/Islamists, 46 Reformers, 71 Independents, and 3 Religious Minorities. While I don't pretend to understand the basic political agendas of these subgroups, I think it interesting to see some diversity within the legislative body. I was surprised to see that Iran is party to the Kyoto Protocal,

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How can US foreign policy be improved by the paradox that Iran is often viewed as America's most serious threat even though its youthful population is among the most pro-western Muslim countries?

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