August 15, 2007
White House Seen Leaning Toward Hawks On Iran
Off-the-record sources in the Bush administration informed two of the nation's most widely read papers that the U.S. will soon label Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization. Why?
There's nothing in either account in the Washington Post or New York Times that indicates the topic is highly controversial within the administration. Heated internal debates have fueled quite a few leaks to the press from individuals alarmed by one executive action or the other.
So, why leak the news when both papers report the unprecedented decision is all but a done deal? (This isn't a rhetorical question, by the way -- we're genuinely curious. Send theories.)
The White House has accused Iran of slipping weapons into the hands of insurgents in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Administration hawks, led by Vice President Dick Cheney, have long argued for military action against Iran. Tehran disputes that it is meddling in either neighbor's affairs, and counters that it is a better friend to the Iraqi and Afghan governments than Washington.
At the same time, in an effort to coax Iran into abandoning its nuclear program, the Bush administration has OK'd some of the highest-level talks with Tehran in years. Iran has reciprocated by inviting IAEA inspectors back, though still insisting it's entitled to nuclear energy.
The White House has had to drag reluctant allies into agreement on U.N. sanctions against Tehran, which that country has more or less ignored. Last month, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced a controversial arms deal with several Gulf states in an effort to beat back anti-U.S. influences there. There probably aren't too many U.S. businesses dealing with the Revolutionary Guard, so targeting the elite military corps' economic activity may be viewed as symbolic. It may also, however, give the White House more reason to call out Iran's economic partners (like China) who claim to be allies of the U.S. in the war on terror.
That the Iraq war has had a polarizing effect in the region is an understatement. As much as Washington wants Iran to stop supplying weapons and funding for insurgent groups, it also wants -- arguably needs -- Iran's help. Tehran probably has more influence over the Shiite militias in Iraq than the White House does. Ditto Afghanistan, where the population hasn't forgotten that Iran was key in helping overthrow the Taliban.
Parties arguing for more direct dialogue with Iran will probably object, but expect conservatives to be pleased with the White House's new get-tougher policy.
Posted at 12:08 PM
Posted to:
Afghanistan, Asia, Bush Administration, China, Condoleezza Rice, Iran, Iraq, Middle East, Terrorism
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