The U.S. and other nations from the West have offered to monitor the stockpile of nuclear fuel in Iran. This proposal required Iran to ship up to 3/4ths of its low enriched uranium out of the country to Russia. There it will be processed to prevent the development of a nuclear bomb in Iran.
After weeks of averting the U.N.’s requests for Nuclear Power regulation, President Obama has decided that it is time to start outlining the possibilities of economic sanctions against Iran. Time is of the essence here as many officials are stating that the delay could be a cover for the concealment of nuclear weaponry development.
Although it is important for the U.S. to maintain a state of diplomacy with Tehran, there is only so long that dialogue can go without even an inkling of results. The U.N. needs some bite to back up its bark, so to speak. A council will be held in Brussels including the five members of the UN Security Council and Germany. President Obama will have to put pressure on banks, insurance companies and the flow of oil into Tehran. Such pressures will require the cooperation of neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
These sanctions put Obama in a precarious position. The Obama administration must oppose the government and the military machine of Iran without putting dire consequences upon the Iranian people. The Administration plans to focus on the Revolutionary Guards who tend to suppress the opposition movement and the economy
The U.S. is also in a strange predicament concerning the recent elections in Iran. Many feel that President Ahmadinejad stole the vote for president. Obama cannot declare his disapproval of the matter but must diplomatically encourage democracy in Iran.
“The White House shouldn't sacrifice Iran's democracy for a short-term deal with Mr. Ahmadinejad. ‘Don't only focus on the nuclear issue and allow the Iranian government to crack down on the people,’ Mr. Makhmalbaf said. ‘You need to focus on human rights.’”
-WSJ –Mr. Makhmalbaf
It is time for the U.N. to step up, the waiting is over and diplomatic procedure is obviously not going the distance any more. Ahmadinejab is basking in the political spotlight. People are calling him the “world’s most famous politician.” Obama needs to hit Tehran hard, cutting the money, cuts the arms development, end of story.
On the opposite side of the coin,
President Ahmadinejad made a visit to Brazil where he was welcomed by President Da Silva. Of course, criticisms from Washington are soaring over the internet, radio and papers. Although Ahmandinjad’s visit to Venezuela, where he met Hugo Chavez was important, many analysts say that this visit marks a higher level of cooperation of Latin America with Tehran.
Brazil continues to be Iran’s biggest trading partner. With such a far reaching economy, Brazil’s influence over world matters is gaining authority. Cooperation from Brazil with the economic sanctions could be the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” in this nuclear stand off
I understand the criticism of Brazil from the U.S., but the issue that stands out here is that Washington cannot expect to point the finger and have the whole world stand behind them in agreement. Brazil has a lot of business to lose from these sanctions, and it will not be an easy decision for them.
If the United States wants to be the World Police with the help of the U.N.,that is fine. I do not agree with this policy, but it happens. My issue is that the U.S. is shocked if every country doesn’t jump on the high and mighty bandwagon right away.