Document Type
Main Theme / Tema Central
Abstract
Iran’s defiance of the IAEA has raised questions about Tehran’s desire to build nuclear weapons and this in turn has put that country squarely into the cross-hairs of the hawks in Washington. This case study reflects my search to answer a logical question stemming from the current backdrop; should we bomb Iran in order to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons? I am a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran from the first gulf war where I acted as an Iranian linguist signals intelligence and crypto-logic technician. It is impossible for me not to be passionate about our policies in the Middle East. My interpretation of this research tells me that the United States should begin direct communications with Iran. The social and behavioral sciences play a huge role in determining a policy outcome. Predicting how Iran and the rest of the world will react to our actions is of great importance. Just as a chess player tries to look at every future move, so to do we need a predictable strategy. This study will express the reasoning I have used to arrive at my claim that we should try to persuade Iran away from building nuclear weapons with bilateral talks and bargains not bombs. We, the United States, have not had a diplomatic relationship with Iran since the revolution in 1979. Twenty-seven years of not communicating. That is a long time to hold a grudge. In essence, I have discovered that now is the time to “burry the hatchet”.
Recommended Citation
Harris, Theodore Adam
(2006)
"We Should Persuade Iran with Bargains not Bombs,"
Culture, Society, and Praxis: Vol. 5:
No.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/csp/vol5/iss1/3