Archive for January 19th, 2006
I share this, not because I agree or disagree with Charles Krauthammer, but because of the seriousness of the situation.
I do disagree with Krauthammer on one thing. He seems to suggest that negotiation never has a place. He suggests that negotitations between the Europeans and Iran only delayed the inevitable and it was a waste of time. I think that is the kind of thinking that sped us into Iraq despite the flimsy and trumped up evidence of a threat. It’s also the kind of thinking that led the Bush administration to disengage from North Korea early in his presidency.
Negotiation does have a purpose and a place, especially when the alternatives are unthinkable or impracticable.
Obviously the time for negotiating with Iran has passed. The question remains which of the unsavory options do you choose to pursue? On this point Krauthammer and I agree. It’s time for Europe to stand up and face the rather tough music. Sanctions and counter-sanctions are not going to be pretty, but the only alternatives are a nuclear Iran or opening a can of whoop-ass.
There may come a time when the last two alternatives are the only two left. We may get there. I hope not, but the situation has to be addressed. It is time for Europe to put aside it’s history of appeasement and speak out.
