Amar C. Bakshi on Iran...

Another very thought provoking piece by Amar C. Bakshi for the Washington Post's PostGlobal, this time he talks to Iranian Americans on the topic of U.S. Engage or Isolate Iran?. While I'm far from a scholar on the topic of Iran and the middle east, I've talked to enough people and done enough reading to tend to agree with what Reza Aslan states:

He says that if America destabilizes Iran covertly, or starves it through sanctions, Iranians will turn against the U.S., emboldening hard line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and legitimating the old (Iranian) rhetoric of “westoxification” which was particularly salient when U.S. President Jimmy Carter seemed cozy with the Shah in the late 1970s. If America confronts Iran now, it will spread the will to sacrifice, and increase the risk of war.

I also think this quote from another Iranian American should be pointed out:

“Look at Iraq! You expect America to do any better in Iran! We have no choice but diplomacy.”

He makes a very valid point...