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Iran in Crisis? Nuclear Ambitions and the American Response

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Howard, a British journalist who covered the attack on Afghanistan for the Daily Mail, has written a book promoting a US attack on Iran.

The US state continually threatens to attack Iran, demanding regime change. Its Iran Democracy Act of 2003 funds opposition groups in Iran, breaking its 1981 agreement not to interfere in Iran's affairs. It backs the blacklisted mujehadin terrorist MKO's efforts to overthrow the Iranian government.

The US state claims that Iran is no democracy. Yet Iran is far more democratic than we are told. It directly elects its President and its city, town and village governments. In 2002 the UN Human Rights Commission voted to remove Iran from its blacklist of countries. Iran's press is freer than most. Women have more rights - 63% of 2002's university intake was female. Schoolgirls no longer have to wear headscarves and robes in school.

Yet Howard parrots the US state's efforts to justify attacking Iran because it might develop a nuclear bomb. He claims there are `good reasons to fear the development of an Iranian nuclear bomb'. Why? Because this would `enhance their security'. Hasn't Iran any right to security? Iran's possession of a bomb would "encourage militants in the region to adopt a yet more aggressive approach against the Israeli Defence Force." So it's not the IDF that's aggressive but its victims!

Howard asserts, quoting Bush, that the USA "has some reason to fear that the regime would transfer warheads into the hands of terrorist networks" and "An Iranian bomb would also be at risk of inadvertently falling into the hands of third parties." This is no more likely than Saddam Hussein letting his enemy bin Laden get the WMD that Saddam didn't have anyway!

In his last two chapters, Howard discusses the "different ways in which Washington could try to engineer political change inside Iran." He calls for `a far-reaching programme of free-market reforms', privatisation, labour market `flexibility', and ending foreign exchange controls. Is he after a job with Bush?

The Iranian people have every right to determine their own future, without fear of attack. Hands off Iran!

I gotta say, that the author has really done a good job presenting ideas in a fair and balanced manner with this book.

At first i was hesitant, and almost didn't make it past the first chapter - however, I stuck with it and found that my decision was well rewarded. There are so many things, complexities, aspects to the political situation within Iran that I had no idea about.

The problem i had with the first chapter - is that I judged too quickly - and assumed at first that the author's analysis would be too simplistic. However, this is very far from the case - as the analysis and information presented is well nuanced and reasoned.

Also, the author has a very good writing voice - i found this book very easy to read. It takes skill to present complex foreign topics in such a readable manner. Thanks Roger.

Now i want to learn more - so i'll read another book on Iran by another author... Diversity of opinion - and material is important.

Before one even considers buying this book, one should ask: What are this authors credentials for writing about this subject matter with any authority or unbiasedness and objectivity? He was a "reporter" for the Daily Mail, not exactly the most thought provoking news source. A few scattered articles here and there that he has contributed? Has he studied Iran and its politics and history in any depth, does he have any degree in this field? Has he travelled to Iran? How often has he interviewed Iran's government decision-makers? How long have he covered Iran consistently over the past 25 years of revolution? And that's just the beginning. This guy is just an opportunist trying to ride the wave of histeria about Iran that is being fabricated by the neo-cons in Qashington once again, hoping he could repeat what others like him did in Iraq. If you really have to read it, wait until it is being sold for a penny by the homeless guys who collect it from garbage cans on the street corners.

This is a valuable study of the Iran of today, especially in regard to its government operations and institutions. Its analysis of the Iranian nuclear threat shows a great awareness of the meaning of ' nuclear Iran' to ordinary Iranians. Paradoxically while most would greet such a development with joy it would probably lead to a further restriction of their already restricted freedoms. Howard considers the possibilities for preventing the development of nuclear weapons in Iran, and seems to favor some form of European negotiation combined with more sticklike Washington behavior. And this though he also favors an American effort to dialogue with Iran.

Developments in Iran and in the world have altered the situation since the book was published in July 2004. There is a growing awareness that a nuclear Iran will open the can of nuclear proliferation and lead to another twenty or thirty nuclear nations. i.e. it will fundamentally alter the world- situation to the detriment of all of humanity.

Also Iran has been forging new alliances with China and Russia, has succeeded in keeping the building of the nuclear facility at Bushehr going, has a contract to receive nuclear fuel from Russia, is now insisting on its right to enrich uranium in spite of European objection. Iran is more dangerous and more determined and more powerful today than it was in July 2004.

Howard recommends a US withdrawal from the areas around Iran but it is difficult to see how this can positively influence Iran. Iran has been also developing its missile capabilities and already threatens all US troops in the Gulf.

Appeasement and negotiation will not stop Iran. Howard does not say or see this, and this is perhaps the major fault in his book.

What is commendable however is the great knowledge he presents, and the reasoned and modest tone in which he presents it.