I don't know The Caspian Weekly, but two writers there, Nir Boms and Shayan Arya, are making a good case that the West should impose economic sanctions against the Ahmadinejad regime in Iran. The reason is that the Iranian government seems determined to defy the international community and its own agreements regarding nuclear weapons development. Even the U.N. seems clear on this.
The question is, would sanctions hurt or help the cause of peace? Very likely help, in my opinion. President Reagan certainly confronted the Soviets on many subjects in many ways, but he also was willing--and did--negotiate with them. In the case of Iran, we could negotiate after imposing sanctions, at least in theory.
But the truth is that it doesn't matter much whether we want to negotiate: the theocrats in Iran have made it clear they are not going to indulge that fantasy. Therefore, all the "realists" recommending caution actually are recommending inaction. One way or another, as the authors say, the Iranian regime must be pushed--hard. Maybe they will respond to real pressure. Maybe the people will find a successful way to rebel. Regardless, there is not much time left. The present drift is not a strategy.
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