Obama's challenge in Iran
How President Obama should respond to Iran's satellite launch
"Joe Biden was right," said William Kristol in The Weekly Standard. Barack Obama has barely had time to unpack at the White House, and he's being tested abroad. The Iranian regime has been preemptively scorning Obama's overtures, and last Tuesday reported it had launched a satellite into orbit, making clear that Iran intends to build missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
Iran's big show may have impressed the Iranian public and scared the country's neighbors, said The Boston Globe in an editorial, but it should not deter Obama from trying to open a dialogue with Tehran. The Bush administration attempt to isolate Iran only allowed it to build its regional power and get closer to enriching enough uranium to build a nuclear bomb.
Negotiations won't be easy, said The New York Times in an editorial. Hard-liners in Iran will "try to sabotage an opening that would require making concessions" on their missile and nuclear programs. And "strong voices in Washington" will object, some even demanding the "disastrous" military option. But engaging Iran is worth a try.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The time is indeed right for a policy change, said Michael Ledeen in The Wall Street Journal. But the smart move is to start really supporting "Iranians against their oppressors." This launch just showed that, with collapsing oil prices ruining Iran's economy, the mullahs are getting desperate for a miracle.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
5 ways to help the environment while on vacation
The Week Recommends An afternoon of planting trees could be the best part of your trip
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Doctors are taking on dental duties in low-income areas
Under the radar Physicians are biting into the dentistry industry
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Instagram hopes that blurring nudity in messages will make teens safer
The Explainer The option will be turned on by default for users under 18
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published