Regime change in Iran
From Ilan Berman
Sir: Bruce Anderson (‘Let them build nukes’, 13 August) writes that neither military force nor sanctions are feasible means of rolling back Iran’s nuclear advances. He may be right. But Mr Anderson also hastens to discount the potential power of Iran’s liberal opposition, based largely on its performance in the June elections.
That would be a mistake. Iran’s opposi tion groups may indeed be outgunned. But with the proper external support, they could yet develop into an alternative to that country’s repressive and unpopular theocracy. Because, as Mr Anderson points out, ten years from now Iran will assuredly be a nuclear power. The question is whether that nuclear Iran will be governed by a regime that considers itself to be at war with the United States and the West.
Considering how much is riding on the outcome, empowering regime alternatives is certainly an option worth trying.
Ilan Berman
Vice-President for Policy American Foreign Policy Council, Washington DC
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