Sunday, February 01, 2009

How do you solve a problem like Iran?

Robert Baer has an answer for you in his latest book, the Devil We Know. The good news is that he has a good, if difficult to achieve, answer. The bad news is that he often buries it with digressions and some sweeping assertions. Still, he has proposed something I doubt the Obama administration will do, but I greatly hope they consider, which is to ally with Iran.

Sounds crazy, yes? Baer spends a good number of pages arguing that Iran is not some addled theocracy run by maniacs, but is in fact a forward looking, modern society that is ruled by pragamitists and not the delusional madmen we are led to believe. He also argues that it is the dominant power in the region, thanks to our activities in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf, and that it will only get stronger. Confronting them will be costly and will likely fail.

So the realpolitik answer is simple, alleviate their security concerns with the United States and become a partner, or even an ally. This will ensure that the oil supply remains protected, which is the principal interest of the United States in the region. To do so comes with costs, such as letting Iran run, behind the scenes at least, Iraq and most of the Gulf States. He also argues that they should be allowed to become the stewards of Mecca and Medina, which sounds fine except that it means the abandonment of the House of Saud.

The tricky thing with all of this is that it will make all but our closest allies believe that we are unreliable. As Baer notes, this happened before, when the US dumped Taiwan to start a new relationship with Mainland China, and it was a challenge, but it was done. Baer lays out a rather grand plan to ally with Iran that comes with quite a few costs. The US should mend relations with Iran, as it gains little from opposing it, but should try to do it for less than Baer asks.

8 comments:

nbf said...

I don't think that Israel and its friends in America will sit and watch as Iran once again became America's closest ally in the region. They would be worried that Israel would be rendered redundant as an ally if Iran gained its true place in the region.

Tripp said...

The Israeli lobby would certainly be unhappy, but I think they could be placated. Perhaps with a formal alliance or a nuclear guarantee. It will be a challenge for the President who tries to make the shift.

Brack said...

I wonder what the Saudis and the Egyptians would think about a Grand Bargain. Not much, I suspect.

Tripp said...

I think it fair to say that Saudis and Egyptians would be none too keen on it.

Part of Baer's argument is that the rise of Iran is like the Rise of China, very difficult to stop. He is concerned with how we deal with it.

Brack said...

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/01/29/americas_secret_back_channel_diplomacy_with_iran

Tripp said...

This is good news. It looks like a lot of the right (by that I mean influential) people are talking.

nbf said...

For the story behind Israel's (and its American supporters') opposition to detent between US and Iran see this book by Trita Parsi:

http://www.amazon.com/Treacherous-Alliance-Secret-Dealings-Israel/dp/0300143117/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233614612&sr=1-1

Tripp said...

I'd like to read that one. I am hoping to go see Parsi when he comes to Portland later this month.