An article in today’s Washington Post illustrates perfectly the utter futility of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy. The article begins:
“President Obama delivered his annual message to the Iranian people on Tuesday, using a far more confrontational tone than usual to say that he will seek ways to break through the electronic curtain that Tehran has thrown over the Internet and other forms of communication. ‘I want the Iranian people to know that America seeks a dialogue to hear your views and understand your aspirations,’ Obama said in his message to mark Nowruz, the Persian new year. ‘The United States will continue to draw attention to the electronic curtain that is cutting the Iranian people off from the world,’ he said. ‘And we hope that others will join us in advancing a basic freedom for the Iranian people: the freedom to connect with one another and with their fellow human beings.’ Since taking office, Obama has used his Nowruz message to speak directly to Iranians in an attempt to stake out common ground between the United States and the Islamic republic.”
Unfortunately, the Iranian people do not control their foreign policy, their government does. And talking about the internet does not necessarily impede the march towards a war, particularly at a time when both the Israelis and Congress seem to be intent on violent confrontation. Unwillingness to talk directly to the officials who actually can make a difference means that nothing will happen, which is precisely what the Administration desires. After all, it is an election year and it just would not do to be seen talking directly to the Iranian government lest Israel’s friends become angry.
Print 
PDF