Comments on: Obama’s Nowruz Message: The Limits of Postcard Diplomacy http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/ Commentary about Zionism, anti-Zionism, antisemitism and the conflict in the Middle East Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:46:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5-RC1.1 By: ganselmi http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4258 ganselmi Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:58:40 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4258 Eric, I just want to reiterate what Ben said: I'm not a "neocon" or what have you. I believe in soft power, I support diplomcy. And I still have faith in team Obama's ability to correctly deal with the Iran question. I just worry about the Obama administration making a bad compromise with the IRI that leaves democracy and human rights completely off the table in the name of "realism." What I was also trying to accomplish was to show that any realist approach to Iran should be informed by the IRI's domestic vulnerabilities and by an appreciation for the aspirations of Iranian dissidents, human rights advocattes, labor unions, student protesters, religious minorities, women, etc. etc. Eric,

I just want to reiterate what Ben said: I’m not a “neocon” or what have you. I believe in soft power, I support diplomcy. And I still have faith in team Obama’s ability to correctly deal with the Iran question.

I just worry about the Obama administration making a bad compromise with the IRI that leaves democracy and human rights completely off the table in the name of “realism.” What I was also trying to accomplish was to show that any realist approach to Iran should be informed by the IRI’s domestic vulnerabilities and by an appreciation for the aspirations of Iranian dissidents, human rights advocattes, labor unions, student protesters, religious minorities, women, etc. etc.

]]> By: Ben Cohen http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4223 Ben Cohen Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:41:05 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4223 "If and when the time comes when he finds himself seeking harsh new sanctions--and conceivably even support for military action--against Iran to halt its nuclear program, America will have far more leverage if Obama can say that he made good-faith efforts at dialogue and was rebuffed." Michael Crowley here: http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/03/20/obama-s-shrewd-message-to-iran.aspx Worth thinking about. “If and when the time comes when he finds himself seeking harsh new sanctions–and conceivably even support for military action–against Iran to halt its nuclear program, America will have far more leverage if Obama can say that he made good-faith efforts at dialogue and was rebuffed.”

Michael Crowley here:
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/03/20/obama-s-shrewd-message-to-iran.aspx

Worth thinking about.

]]> By: Ben Cohen http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4209 Ben Cohen Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:20:40 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4209 And what's "predictable" about what's written in this article? As I said, it's not completely critical of the Obama initiative, but neither is it another voice in the Amen Chorus. And what’s “predictable” about what’s written in this article? As I said, it’s not completely critical of the Obama initiative, but neither is it another voice in the Amen Chorus.

]]> By: Eric http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4207 Eric Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:10:21 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4207 Sorry for the typo, but I reiterate my point: we will see predictable carping at every effort to alter Iranian behavior. I am 100% certain of that. Sorry for the typo, but I reiterate my point: we will see predictable carping at every effort to alter Iranian behavior.

I am 100% certain of that.

]]> By: Ben Cohen http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4204 Ben Cohen Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:49:22 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4204 Eric It's "gAnselmi," not "gEnselmi." If you are going to disagree - your inalienable right, denied to dissidents in Iran - at least do the writer the courtesy of spelling his name correctly. You also might want to reflect on what is being said here before you rush to judgment - the writer is not opposing engaging Iran per se, but to the implication that Iran's status as an Islamic Republic is somehow permanent. Eric

It’s “gAnselmi,” not “gEnselmi.” If you are going to disagree - your inalienable right, denied to dissidents in Iran - at least do the writer the courtesy of spelling his name correctly. You also might want to reflect on what is being said here before you rush to judgment - the writer is not opposing engaging Iran per se, but to the implication that Iran’s status as an Islamic Republic is somehow permanent.

]]> By: Eric http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4199 Eric Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:30:13 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4199 I was so glad to see some pushback to the genselmi post. But that post is unfortunately predictive of what Obama will be facing as he attempts to chart a new course. Every effort he makes, whether in Iran or Israel, will be met with certain howls, and the post by genselmi is symptomatic of what is going to happen. I was so glad to see some pushback to the genselmi post. But that post is unfortunately predictive of what Obama will be facing as he attempts to chart a new course.

Every effort he makes, whether in Iran or Israel, will be met with certain howls, and the post by genselmi is symptomatic of what is going to happen.

]]> By: David Adler http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4177 David Adler Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:27:54 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4177 The death of Omid Mir Sayefi is an outrage (and one I have protested on Facebook). But I do not accept that Obama's Newroz message counteracts solidarity with Omid or other dissidents. Obama is changing the discussion at the highest level so that dissidents may face a changed set of circumstances on the ground. Not a perfect set of circumstances by any means, but changed. The death of Omid Mir Sayefi is an outrage (and one I have protested on Facebook). But I do not accept that Obama’s Newroz message counteracts solidarity with Omid or other dissidents. Obama is changing the discussion at the highest level so that dissidents may face a changed set of circumstances on the ground. Not a perfect set of circumstances by any means, but changed.

]]> By: ganselmi http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4176 ganselmi Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:22:00 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4176 But JavadX: As long as the constitutional basis of the Islamic Republic's sovereignty is the absurd, arbitrary notion of <i>velaayat-e faqih</i> or "guardianship of the jurisconsult," and any attempt to question, renegotiate, or change this state of affairs lands Iranians in jail or worse -- don't the US and other democratic powers have a responsibility to stand up for dissidents? And when did I ever approve or disapprove of Bush's Iran policy or policy toward other authoritarian regimes in my original piece? But JavadX: As long as the constitutional basis of the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty is the absurd, arbitrary notion of velaayat-e faqih or “guardianship of the jurisconsult,” and any attempt to question, renegotiate, or change this state of affairs lands Iranians in jail or worse — don’t the US and other democratic powers have a responsibility to stand up for dissidents?

And when did I ever approve or disapprove of Bush’s Iran policy or policy toward other authoritarian regimes in my original piece?

]]> By: JavadX http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4173 JavadX Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:40:47 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4173 I don't agree either. The whole problem has been that Bush and Cheney have disrespected Iranians by not accepting them and their government as true equals in the International arena. The excuses they provided didn't seem to apply to other undemocratic countries with terrible human rights problems. Obama is reversing the trend. He's saying it's not up the US to say who is legitimate but up to Iranians. Even if you are a dissident this is an empowering message. So I have to disagree with the author who seems to be repeating old, tired neoconservative lines. I don’t agree either.

The whole problem has been that Bush and Cheney have disrespected Iranians by not accepting them and their government as true equals in the International arena. The excuses they provided didn’t seem to apply to other undemocratic countries with terrible human rights problems.

Obama is reversing the trend. He’s saying it’s not up the US to say who is legitimate but up to Iranians.

Even if you are a dissident this is an empowering message. So I have to disagree with the author who seems to be repeating old, tired neoconservative lines.

]]> By: Francis Grunchard http://blog.z-word.com/2009/03/obama%e2%80%99s-nowruz-message-the-limits-of-postcard-diplomacy/#comment-4170 Francis Grunchard Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:11:01 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1167#comment-4170 In French ,"Iran : Les vœux ratés d’Obama" (Obama's missed vows) http://www.iran-resist.org/article5244.html In French ,”Iran : Les vœux ratés d’Obama” (Obama’s missed vows)
http://www.iran-resist.org/article5244.html

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