Over the past week, a plot was uncovered that was meant to attack and kill the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States. Although threats are very common to most foreign diplomats, this threat is very unique. It is so unique because the United States is claiming that the assassin has been hired from Iran and used the guise of a member of a drug cartel. If proven, the trouble is two-fold; the fact that Iran is supporting terrorist organizations and terror outside its own territory and there are no more reprimands that the US can put on Iran. Since the exile of the Shah in 1979 and the takeover of the embassy America does not involve itself with Iran. So how do the Americans and the Saudi Arabians officials respond to clear violations of international diplomacy and ethics? Kick Iran out of the UN. Check. Place sanctions. Done. Cut all economic ties to Iran. Yup. Now what?
Some lawmakers suggest continuing with economic sanctions and adding more sanctions. But even with sanctions, Iran is clearly violating everything placed by the international community and no longer cares. A growing nuclear program, no concern for the violation of human rights and the ideals of fair elections Iran is becoming a problem that the international system will need to address.
With the accusations of Iran’s involvement in the attempt of killing the ambassador, should the US consider placing restrictions on companies and countries that interact with Iran? Energy companies in Russia, China and India would feel the pressure but these pressures could create a restrain in other relations that the US has with these countries. As growing countries, China, India and Russia will be important to help the American economy come back to its own feet. The options are limited as time passes by and if things get worse with Iran, will the US use military force to stop Iran (and be able to justify it)?
Two individuals have been charged and indicted in a federal court in New York for attacking the ambassador’s convoy. If the US is successful at proving Iran’s involvement what does this mean for the international system, the value of security and it could potentially address the grey areas that countries use when diplomacy fails.
The New York Times, CNN, and BBC are covering the US response and as well as the South Korean response as President Lee Myung- Bak visits the US and North Korea becomes a growing concern.
Here's a video from the White House when Presidents Obama and Lee address Iran today at the joint press conference.
In regards to the plan of action to be taken by the United States government, I believe it is important as President Obama said for Iran to “answer to the international community”. Dealing with Iran at this point is as if they are a hostile teenager full of angst—except their a hostile government that gives support to anti-American terrorist organizations and instead of angst, they have weapons. Obviously Iran cannot ignore the details of the case against them; and if they do, then their feigned ignorance is a sign that they are incapable of functioning without restriction in the international arena. If the pressure between the United States and Iran is going to escalate, we need allies. And yes, those such as China, India, and Russia aren’t bad to have around considering we cannot engage in aggressive diplomacy against Iran without the security of resources.
ReplyDeleteThe United States really doesn’t have many plausible options in dealing with Iran. The idea that we could pressure Russia, China, and India into cutting back their economic involvement with Iran is absolutely ridiculous. If our own economy was a little more stable, then maybe we could consider taking this route. Going to war with Iran is also a rather flakey option. Although an assassination attempt on one of our public officials defiantly a justifiable cause for armed retaliation, given our resent military involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the invasion of yet another country in the region may raise further suspicion and hostility towards the US in the region.
ReplyDeleteThis entire situation has been interesting to say the least. We may not be sure as to how much the government was involved in the plot assassination but it appears as though there was some shady activity by Iran. Although I agree that America needs to increase the sanctions that have been put on Iran, I am not sure if that will create the solution that America wants, especially if we cannot pressure other countries such as Russia and China to decrease their economic activity with Iran. It appears as though the sanctions that have already been put in place have not had as much success as we had hoped in reining in Iran. The notion that Iran will be stop behaving the way it has through economic sanctions seems rather unlikely but it would seem ill-advised to try and control Iran by other means, such as the military. America, fighting several visible and invisible wars at this point, needs to become creative in solving the problem of Iran because the traditional solutions have become futile.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see that Iran has such a hold on the United States and even others countries security across the world. It is not acceptable that Iran is blatantly violating international laws and the fact that they do no t care whether or not they follow these laws. No threats should be made to the the diplomats that represent the United States or any other country, and the United States should place restriction on business that interact with Iran. If the United States chooses to use military force against Iran, I am sure that they will find a way to justify it.
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