Comments on: Ahmadinejad Seems to Have a Death Wish

By: kirkpete

kirkpete — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:28:13 +0000

I agree that Ahmadinejad is not afraid of this president, and needn't be. But even if Bush were still in office, I don't think there's much chance he would have attacked Iran, short of some massive provocation. The unpopularity of the Iraq war would have led to a firestorm if he had attacked Iran pre-emptively.

My "death wish" headline was a reference to the fact that Israel has a proven record of taking action to protect its people. The threat from Iran now is much more immediate than the threat from Iraq was when the Israelis bombed Osirak.

Lori, I suppose we have to do sanctions just to check the box before taking stronger action, but I can't imagine sanctions would be any more effective against Iran than they were against Iraq (remember the Oil-for-Palaces program?) I agree that military action should rarely be the first resort, but I have a visceral dislike of the term "last resort." Too often it's a euphemism for "never." There is always some alternative, however unwise, to fighting — passivity, appeasement and surrender come to mind.

Chris, you're right, it's hard to defeat an enemy who yearns for martyrdom.

Thanks to all for the comments.

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:19:03 +0000

I'm not so sure it's a death wish, as much as it is that he doesn't fear this US president. Maybe he's seen enough of Obama's policy so far to know that he's not likely to be a threat to him.

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:21:59 +0000

Power-hungry little mite, isn't he? It's how it starts, from my perspective. They make these bold, brazen attempts to flex political muscles, the direct challenge to the UN, and damn if a war doesn't start. Did they figure the entire world would just back down?

I favor the economic sanctions to start, and war as a last resort. War should always be a last resort, IMHO. We can't afford any more involvement in countries whose people hate us and don't want us there. Our foreign policy has been so detrimental in the past that we've now pissed off quite a number of people. I don't have faith that ANYONE could untangle this without very careful planning.

By: Harrison

Harrison — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:46:55 +0000

He knows the West is weak. He is only afraid of Israel.

By: Brother-in-law Chris

Brother-in-law Chris — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:00:12 +0000

I seem to recall Ahmadinejad was asked about the risk to his fellow Iranians, and he answered that he didn't have any problem sacrificing everyone in Iran. That it would be a "divine sacrifice", or something to that effect. It's one thing to have a death wish, but to have one for the entire population of your country? It makes a peaceful solution difficult.

Of course, the only good Death Wish to have is the DVD version box set.