How Obama should handle Iran
Should the U.S. stand up for Iran's reformist uprising, or avoid the appearance of meddling?
If President Obama turns his back on Iran's uprising, said Bret Stephens in The Wall Street Journal, America will have blood on its hands. As "Holocaust denier and nuclear aspirant" Mahmoud Ahmadinejad steals a second term as Iran's president, reformists are being arrested as a sham recount looms, and "the possibility of an Iranian Tiananmen hangs in the air." Right now, U.S. support could be the protesters' only hope.
Meddling in Iranian politics would be a mistake, said David Ignatius in The Washington Post, because it "would give the mullahs the foreign enemy they need to discredit the reformers." Obama's best bet is to continue reaching out to the Muslim world, and let the millions of people there who "hunger for change" realize their dreams themselves.
Obama could lose either way, said Sue Pleming in Reuters. "Strong criticism could backfire, but a muted response leaves an impression of weakness." The controversial reelection of Iranian President Ahmadinejad has already strengthened the resolve of U.S. conservatives opposed to Obama's conciliatory foreign policy in the region—but if Obama stands up for the reformists and the ruling mullahs hold fast, the U.S. can forget about making progress in talks to contain Iran's nuclear program.
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.
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.
-
Why the UK phone signal is so poor
Under The Radar Having trouble connecting? A lack of investment, planning rules and even your home could be to blame
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Battleground states to watch in the 2024 election
In Depth These seven states could end up deciding who wins the White House this year
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Leave the crowds behind at these 7 sensational hotels
The Week Recommends Traveling in September means more room to explore
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, 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