Checking Iran: 2

Michael Slackman offers us another view of the situation in Iran. Unlike the Times editorial of yesterday, this journalist is much more cautious about any action to be taken against Iran: "It is not clear what the West can do about the problem." He gives this single statement added weight by making it its own paragraph.

Slackman contemplates whether or not Iran will pull out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, as North Korea did. On the one hand, it seems that China and Russia are less than eager and clear about supporting further sanctions against Iran. Slackman also points out that the government, since the disputed election, feels isolated and paranoid, feeling pressure from its own people, and internationally.

Still, pulling out of the treaty would be a big step. Slackman reasons that, "Pulling out would undermine Iran’s central claim that its nuclear program is peaceful in nature. It might also erode the willingness of China and Russia to continue to support Iran at the United Nations Security Council, and it might encourage Israel to wage a military strike with the silent approval of the West."

Somehow I feel that the situation with Iran will not explode, but some compromise will be reached. Iran has an educated population that looks favorably on the U.S., and we're not in the best shape to start any new kind of conflict. Let's hope it can be resolved peacefully.