On the 30th anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the American embassy in Tehran, the opposition movement in Tehran hijacked the annual government-sponsored anti-American rally to chant their opposition to Ahmadinejad, Russia’s support of the Iranian president, and Obama’s lack of firm support for their cause. The opposition has consistently called for Obama to openly condemn the summer election results and end dialogue with the Iranian government, but it has been unclear as to what degree of condemnation is acceptable or sufficient. Obama’s statement apparently did not make the cut. However, if the United States were to take a more definitive stance on the issue, whether through verbal censure, sanctions, or overt threats, heated preaching and treading on the toes of Iranian sovereignty is unlikely to make a dent in the Majlis‘ thought process. (The Bush Administration did not exactly experience great success in influencing the Iranian government by waving its bludgeon around.) Furthermore, it is not evident that the opposition would fully appreciate American overtures of support and goodwill.
How then can the U.S. provide support for the opposition’s call for democracy and condemn the Iranian government’s violation of universal human rights in such a way that will appease the Iranian opposition and not sacrifice U.S.’ national interests? Fortunately, this is one instance in the Mideast in which America will keep its sticky hands and sermons to itself. Obama has decided to dismantle the Iran Democracy Fund, whose petty $85 million was not contributing to much of the opposition’s efforts anyway. While this decision has been widely reproved by congressmen, it has been embraced by human-rights activists and democracy supporters inside Iran. Reza Aslan, professor, author, and contributor to the Daily Beast, writes:
The only way to punish a country for its bad behavior is first to have some kind of relationship with it. That is precisely what Obama is trying to do. By working toward the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Iran, Obama is laying the groundwork for real, meaningful, and lasting reform in Iran.
Not only is this the best approach for U.S. interests, but it is the best approach for the advocates of Iranian democracy. By staying clear of direct involvement with the opposition, the Obama Administration is letting Iranians claim whatever future lies ahead as the product of their own efforts, rather than the manipulations of an outsider.
Filed under: Middle East, aid, Iran, Obama, protests
