As every news outlet in the Western world fixates its eyes on Tehran and the recent pro-democracy demonstrations contesting the supposed reelection of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, many are asking themselves whether it falls to the United States to take action in support of the opposition candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi. Some argue, given the blanket ban of journalists from the country and widespread violence, a stabalizing U.S. influence could do wonders for American interests in the region by bolstering more moderate, and in some cases, radical, liberal leaders in what is considered a rouge terrorist state. Others conversely argue that if the U.S. were to attempt any intervention in Iran, it would only further alienate the current regime as well as the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamanei from any talks in the near future.
Personally, I feel that it is incredibly important for the United States to approach this current situation from a very analytical perspective. The U.S. needs to make it clear, as it has today in President Obama's statement, that it does not support the incredibly violent response which the Iranian government has mounted in the wake of this election. However, it also must be hesitant. While I am a firm believer in the power of democracy and feel that those protestors who have lost their lives in the last week are true martyrs for the forces of equality, liberalism and human rights, I also feel that the United States must refrain from any action which could include deployment or could be interpreted as offensive. Given the volatile nature of the Middle East to begin with, President Obama's administration must be cognizant of the future of Iran. For instance, if the current protests do not yield cohesive results, then the U.S. must still be able to negotiate with Ahmadinejad and his regime. While some may argue that this approach is impersonal, I feel that the principal of utility must be employed in this instance. With a nation full of nuclear plants and possessing nuclear arms capabilities, engagement and dialouge must remain paramount to American interests. We have a responsibility to the rest of the world to act in the interests of stability and peace. In this situation, our actions must include clear statements of opposition to the current response to protests as well as heightened sanctions against Iran and a clear policy from the UN Security Council and NATO which deplores the Iranian regime to see reason and allow peaceful protests.
