Israel and Iran are a lot alike, says Stephen Kinzer in The Daily Beast. Both have secret nuclear programs and security organs that "regularly kill perceived enemies of the state, both at home and abroad." Both countries — their politics "hijacked by religious fundamentalists who believe they are doing God's will" — are recklessly destabilizing the Middle East. So why does the U.S. always forgive Israel and treat it like a valuable ally, while constantly bullying Iran with threats and sanctions? Is that really the best way to persuade either side to get behind the cause of peace? Here, an excerpt:
"Toward Israel the attitude is: You may be rascals sometimes, but whatever pranks you pull, you're our friend and we'll forgive you. Toward Iran, it's the opposite: You are our implacable enemy, so nothing you do short of abject surrender will satisfy us...
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.
