Perhaps a Gray Figure?

I've been hearing discussion lately about whether President Obama is doing or saying enough in regards to Iran. Conservative-leaning David Brooks thinks so. As he stated in yesterday's Telegram and Gazette, "At moments like these, policy-makers and advisers in the United States government almost always retreat to passivity and caution. Part of this is pure prudence. When you don't know what's happening, it's sensible to do as little as possible because anything you do might cause more harm than good." (p.A5) I agree with Mr. Brooks in his assessment that a "wait and see" stance is the correct approach. Last thing the U.S. should do is interfere and make matters worse for those facing violent retribution on the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities.

David Brooks writes that the United States and its allies need to engage Iran on many fronts, while at the same time promoting the downfall of the regime, not through military means but by giving positive support to the opposition. Two examples of this type of aid are the media and sanctions. In the author's words, "This approach is like Ronald Reagan's policy toward the Soviet Union, and it is no simple thing. It doesn't mean you don't talk to the regime: Reagan talked to the Soviets. But it does mean you pursue many roads at once."

"Fragile at the Core" is an article well worth reading, however some cautionary notes about encouraging the downfall of Ahmadinejad should be considered. As Americans we tend to place people into good or bad boxes, but Moussavi, rather than being a superhero, may be something in between. After all, what do we truly know about him? Would a Moussavi-led government be much different from the present one, given the clerics' rule extends over all? Should the U.S. be engaged in nation building? Mousavi wants to continue developing nuclear power. What guarantees do we have he will stop with energy and not go after nuclear weapons?

Mr. Brooks profoundly concludes his article by saying, "...election campaigns stoke the mind and fraudulent elections outrage the soul."

Please note there was no access to Mr. Brooks article through the Telegram & Gazette. The same article had been printed four days earlier in the New York Times.
New York Times, June 18, 2009, "Fragile at the Core" by David Brooks
www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/opinion/19brooks.html

Telegram & Gazette, June 22, 2009, "Change stirring in the streets of Tehran" by David Brooks, p.A5