Engaging Iran's Supreme Leader -Mehdi KhalajiAyatollah Khamenei [pictured above] as the supreme leader and the commander in chief of the armed forces, has the ultimate supervision over the nuclear program, Iran's military strategy in the region, and Iran's foreign policy in general. Any attempt to reach Iran's government is more likely to be successful if it involves the supreme leader.
Khamenei considers himself not only the leader of the Islamic Republic but also the highest authority on Islamic ideology in the world. Because the Islamic Republic has failed to meet its economic, cultural, and social promises, Khamenei has made anti-Americanism the cornerstone of Islamic ideology. "America" for Khamenei does not refer to a country, but rather to a point of view diametrically opposed to Islamic ideology, on which the Iranian regime relies for its legitimacy. Allowing the level of "hatred" toward the U.S. to diminish is tantamount to recognizing the supremacy of "Western culture."
The first step for dealing directly with the Iranian government is to make its supreme leader responsible. Addressing him directly and publicly with a call to initiate a dialogue will close the exit doors available to him and require him to make a decision - either war or peace.
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
1 comment:
His strategy is nothing new. George W. Bush adopted a similar policy, using war with Iraq to cover up his own ineptness at anti-terrorism, and as a reason to degrade human rights of world and American citizens alike. Blaming hostile outside forces for your country's ills is the lament of all ineffectual leaders. Using a focal point inconsequential to your difficulties has been in vogue for centuries, and was used by the Germans in WW II to the detriment of Jews, and ultimately Germany also. Nevertheless, there is a thesis here that acknowledges direct discussions with Iran, and that is the way things appear to be moving in the near term.
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