Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Fallows On Netanyahu's Address

James Fallows at the Atlantic:

When you're proven right, you trumpet that fact—and when you're proven wrong, you usually have the sense to change the topic. Usually.   
 
Was it because Netanyahu has a better plan that he wants Congress or the United States to adopt in dealing with Iran? No. His alternative plan for Iran is like the Republican critics' alternative to the Obama healthcare or immigration policies. That is: It's not a plan, it's dislike of what Obama is doing.

And he cites Michael Tomasky pointing out what I've suspected all along:

Netanyahu is creating a much bigger problem here. Ultimately, he wants war with Iran. And American neoconservatives want it, too. ... Think about it. What is the alternative to negotiating with Iran? Well, there is only one: not negotiating with Iran. And what are the possible courses of action under that option? At the end of the day, there are two. Number one, let Iran do what it wants. Number two, ultimately, be willing to start a war to block Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Back to Fallows:

It is in American interests (as I have argued) to find some way to end Iran's excluded status and re-integrate it with the world, as happened with China in the 1970s. And it is in Israel's interests, at least as defined by Netanyahu for regional-power reasons, that this not occur.

Let's see if we can get Obama back on the Apology Tour. The Mossadegh edition.

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