George Graham

Iran Presents a Tricky Test of Character for Obama

iranWith Iran’s leaders shaking their fists defiantly in his face, U.S. President Barack Obama is presented with a test of will – and wisdom. It is a conundrum worthy of a Greek legend. Anything he does to address the problem is likely to make matters worse.

In Obama’s position, you or I might be tempted to attack Iran, to bomb its known nuclear facilities, or at least to give the OK to Israel, which has been straining at the bit, its bombers poised for takeoff.

We would be wrong.

Iran is torn apart by internal unrest (photos at right). Attacking the country would unite its people against a common enemy. Even imposing harsher sanctions on Iranians would be counterproductive. It would ignite more widespread hostility toward the west. Iran’s hard-line leaders would become even more obstinate. And the rest of the world would not benefit from making Iranians suffer more than they already do.

protestBesides, Russia and China are obviously reluctant to damage their traditional relationships with Iran by joining an economic blockade. They might go along with the sanctions but they would do so halfheartedly and resentfully. And, like it or not, it is in America’s best interests to keep on the good side of both Russia and China.

Obama’s most promising path is to issue stern warnings to Iran’s leaders and drag his feet while the protests rage. With luck, the protesters will drive Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from office, and more tractable leadership will emerge.

Naturally, such inaction would provide ammunition for the president’s critics. Mischief-makers like Dick Cheney, John McCain and Joe Lieberman would portray him as a weakling and a fool. But being portrayed as a bumbler is better than bumbling. And to “bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” would be bumbling indeed.

About the author

gwgraeme

I am a Jamaican-born writer who has lived and worked in Canada and the United States. I live in Lakeland, Florida with my wife, Sandra, our three cats and two dogs. I like to play golf and enjoy our garden, even though it's a lot of work. Since retiring from newspaper reporting I've written a few books. I also write a monthly column for Jamaicans.com

1 Comment

  • My thanks to Senator Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Dennis Kucinich. They are heroes in my mind. Most of the rest in Congress are a shameful lot. George, you are absolutely right. I’ve wondered why the president doesn’t write the bill he wants and present it to Congress. Let them vote on it and let the chips fall where they may. President Obama is a gifted writer. He knows better than anyone the kind of bill we should have. Health-care reform is his signature issue. It’s been years in the making. If we don’t get it right this time, if we just continue to enrich the health care industry, it would be better to let it go. The people will continue to suffer and those responsible will not care. They never have.