ASKARI’S CONCLUSION

There is a viable alternative to imposing more sanctions: stop threatening Iran, especially in public. And America should attempt to understand (not necessarily agree with) the Iranian perspective, minimize U.S. hubris and engage in true dialogue. Iran would be instrumental in allowing the United States to solve most of the problems it faces in the Middle East, including achieving peace and stability in the region, saving U.S. lives and treasure and enhancing global energy supplies.

HUMINT REBUTTAL

Hossein is trapped in dimension where only he, and presumably those who agree with him, maintains the capacity to understand Iran, its people and its government. What he perceives as American hubris is indeed responsible governance. On many occasions the U.S. has worked with its allies around the world to encourage Iranian officials to positively change their behavior. Americans have done so in both word and deed. It is at the highest levels of Iranian government they scream “Death to America!” How does one institute dialogue with Iranian men of such low character? Each American administration has tried and this one continues to try to engage the Iranians in a way that can bring them back from their suicidal path. The onus is on them Mr. Hossein. The Iranians must be held responsible and therefore encouraged to behave in a way that demonstrates they can live peacefully among the community of nations. The ayatollahs of Iran are not children who deserve unconditional love. They live in the same world everyone else does and are beholden to the same rules.

Hossein Askari is the Iran Professor of International Business and International Affairs at George Washington University.