Comments on: China & Iran, Saudi Arabia & the U.S.A http://the-fuqua-experience.com/blog/2010/02/15/china-iran-saudi-arabia-the-u-s-a/ Duke Cross Continent MBA Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:31:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Randy Zwitch http://the-fuqua-experience.com/blog/2010/02/15/china-iran-saudi-arabia-the-u-s-a/comment-page-1/#comment-732 Randy Zwitch Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:09:32 +0000 http://the-fuqua-experience.com/?p=2309#comment-732 In terms of credible alternatives, I think the current administration missed the opportunity when there was that student uprising in Iran and Obama decided to straddle both sides for a while. In my opinion, the clear move would've been to support the uprising; yes, it creates an awkward diplomacy with the official Iranian government in future talks, but I think there was a ton of leverage to be gained by the U.S. explicitly backing the student protesters and their demands. But, hindsight is 20/20 and all that. I'll be sure to tell you what the U.S. should do about Iran in a few years after I've had time to "think" about what *should've been* done about the current situation ;) In terms of credible alternatives, I think the current administration missed the opportunity when there was that student uprising in Iran and Obama decided to straddle both sides for a while. In my opinion, the clear move would’ve been to support the uprising; yes, it creates an awkward diplomacy with the official Iranian government in future talks, but I think there was a ton of leverage to be gained by the U.S. explicitly backing the student protesters and their demands.

But, hindsight is 20/20 and all that. I’ll be sure to tell you what the U.S. should do about Iran in a few years after I’ve had time to “think” about what *should’ve been* done about the current situation ;)

]]> By: Syed Husain http://the-fuqua-experience.com/blog/2010/02/15/china-iran-saudi-arabia-the-u-s-a/comment-page-1/#comment-688 Syed Husain Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:54:40 +0000 http://the-fuqua-experience.com/?p=2309#comment-688 I agree Randy, the "rational" player assumption is probably the most important part of this whole issue. Sanctions that hurt the people only work if the leader cares about the people. Unfortunately the current Iranian leadership will probably portray any new sanctions as an example of how the world is against the people of Iran, which will probably have implication for the opposition party. What credible alternatives does the Obama administration have? I agree Randy, the “rational” player assumption is probably the most important part of this whole issue. Sanctions that hurt the people only work if the leader cares about the people. Unfortunately the current Iranian leadership will probably portray any new sanctions as an example of how the world is against the people of Iran, which will probably have implication for the opposition party. What credible alternatives does the Obama administration have?

]]> By: Randy Zwitch http://the-fuqua-experience.com/blog/2010/02/15/china-iran-saudi-arabia-the-u-s-a/comment-page-1/#comment-680 Randy Zwitch Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:42:56 +0000 http://the-fuqua-experience.com/?p=2309#comment-680 Sanctions also assume that the party you are sanctioning is a "rational" player, i.e. cares about the people of the country and their well-being. Sure, if Ahmedinajad is smart, he'd realize that he could be overthrown by the people...but the people are also smart enough to know that there could just as easily be a mass murder if they try. Given the meager success of "promoting democracy" around the world, the U.S. is in a tough spot. Clearly, there's no support from the U.N., and no money in the U.S., for Obama to crack some skulls in Iran (assuming that he wanted to). Sanctions are better than nothing I guess, but not if it causes another war to break out in the Middle East. It's a tough predicament. Sanctions also assume that the party you are sanctioning is a “rational” player, i.e. cares about the people of the country and their well-being. Sure, if Ahmedinajad is smart, he’d realize that he could be overthrown by the people…but the people are also smart enough to know that there could just as easily be a mass murder if they try.

Given the meager success of “promoting democracy” around the world, the U.S. is in a tough spot. Clearly, there’s no support from the U.N., and no money in the U.S., for Obama to crack some skulls in Iran (assuming that he wanted to). Sanctions are better than nothing I guess, but not if it causes another war to break out in the Middle East.

It’s a tough predicament.

]]> By: Syed Husain http://the-fuqua-experience.com/blog/2010/02/15/china-iran-saudi-arabia-the-u-s-a/comment-page-1/#comment-674 Syed Husain Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:28:00 +0000 http://the-fuqua-experience.com/?p=2309#comment-674 The Devil, as they say, is in the details. When in the long sad history of human diplomacy have sanctions actually worked? The worst nation on earth in terms of human rights, in my opinion, is Mayanmar. Have sanctions worked on them? no. India and China are making a too much money trading with the military junta there to support sanctions. We will never get everyone, for better or worse, to support a single cause and that's just honest truth of the matter. The Devil, as they say, is in the details. When in the long sad history of human diplomacy have sanctions actually worked? The worst nation on earth in terms of human rights, in my opinion, is Mayanmar. Have sanctions worked on them? no. India and China are making a too much money trading with the military junta there to support sanctions. We will never get everyone, for better or worse, to support a single cause and that’s just honest truth of the matter.

]]> By: Mudi http://the-fuqua-experience.com/blog/2010/02/15/china-iran-saudi-arabia-the-u-s-a/comment-page-1/#comment-671 Mudi Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:17:05 +0000 http://the-fuqua-experience.com/?p=2309#comment-671 Iran or any nation for that matter cannot exist in isolation. Obviously, diplomacy has not worked as the US has reached out to Iran and gotten a slap in the face in return. The US cannot afford another war in the region, so I definitely think it's high time the nations came together and impose sanctions that have a direct impact on the Iranian government. At some point they will realize that nuclear weapons do not put food in the mouths of the people of Iran. Sanctions have not worked in the past because they have not been supported by the necessary parties - China, Russia, etc. I believe this situation is definitely beyond diplomacy it is time for Iran to feel the pain. It's no North Korea... Iran or any nation for that matter cannot exist in isolation. Obviously, diplomacy has not worked as the US has reached out to Iran and gotten a slap in the face in return. The US cannot afford another war in the region, so I definitely think it’s high time the nations came together and impose sanctions that have a direct impact on the Iranian government. At some point they will realize that nuclear weapons do not put food in the mouths of the people of Iran. Sanctions have not worked in the past because they have not been supported by the necessary parties – China, Russia, etc. I believe this situation is definitely beyond diplomacy it is time for Iran to feel the pain. It’s no North Korea…

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