Ahmadinejad comes to America: Who wins?
Will allowing the Iranian president into the U.S. for a summit on nuclear non-proliferation give him credibility, or help rally the world against him?

World attention returned to Iran's controversial nuclear program on Monday, as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad traveled to the U.S. for a United Nations Summit on nuclear non-proliferation. Ahead of the meeting, Ahmadinejad called the U.S. "the root of world terrorism." Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shot back, saying that Iran is threatening Israel, destabilizing the Middle East, and sponsoring terror. Will the summit help Ahmadinejad paint the U.S. as the bad guy, or will it help the Obama administration rally support for new sanctions against Iran? (Watch a Russia Today report about Ahmaninejad's surprise visit)
This only benefits Iran: President Obama is letting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad divert attention from his country's enrichment of uranium and complain about Israel's nuclear arsenal, says Jennifer Rubin in Commentary. All this does is complicate the effort to contain "the only nuclear threat that matters right now — Iran."
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.
Ahmadinejad is just a sideshow at the summit: The hostilities between Ahmedinejad and Clinton are likely "to be a one day story," says Laura Rozen in Politico. But the Non Proliferation Treaty review conference, which occurs every five years, will go on for another four weeks. Once the "drama" surrounding Ahmadinejad's visit fades, the U.S. will be able to focus on building momentum behind an effort to make sure Iran pays a heavy price if it ever tries to build a nuclear bomb.
"Beyond the Mahmoud Ahmadinejad show"
Letting Ahmadinejad speak can only help the U.S.: Eight Republican senators asked Obama to deny Ahmadinejad entry into the U.S., says Greg Sargent in The Plum Line. But, as George W. Bush said when he let Ahmadinejad come to New York, giving even the most vile leader the chance to speak only serves to highlight "the freedoms of the country," and shows who really represents a threat to world peace.
"GOP Senators to Obama: Don't let Ahmadinejad into the country"
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
-
Elon has his 'Legion.' How will Republicans encourage other Americans to have babies?
Today's Big Question The pronatalist movement finds itself in power
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
How to travel with your dog
The Week Recommends These tips will help both of you have a great time
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
'Congress could help by providing federal protections'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK