|
The Persian Empire – Iran (Page VI)
Consider control of Iran
We try our best to demonize Iran in hopes of creating a negative public opinion. Our specula(Page VItions go far and wide to determine how far Iran is capable of enriching nuclear fuel. Consider centrifuges, the fast spinning machines that do not exist, the construction of new facilities that could also house thousands of centrifuges 4, or - perhaps it is a garage for trucks. We are also insisting that since they wish to make nuclear fuel, they should outsource the job of creating fuel rods to Russia and France 5,6. Surely the Iranian workers would like to stay on the job as workers do everywhere, perhaps reason enough not to outsource the project.
Occasionally, we get reminder speeches by notable people such as U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He reminded us that Iran is determined to seek a nuclear weapon and the international community has been unable to affect their determination to do that. He has tried to convince other nations, in particular Russia, but to no avail. Surely these other countries know that there is no problem for a country to harness nuclear energy to serve their people. He tries to use the “logic” that Iran is capable of delivering nuclear weapons to other nations.
One wonders how that sort of thinking can be possible, considering that Iran was born in the ”cradle of civilization” and they have contributed more scientific knowledge to the world while Europe was still in the dark ages and America was known only to the Native American Indians who lived here.
Iran, conceivably, could want a nuclear deterrent from attack by its adversaries 7. Consider the example of North Korea who has accomplished that and behold – nobody has attacked her. Compare that to Iraq, with no weapons of mass destruction now has its beauty reduced to rubble. It is well known from Irani sources that the present regime has no intention of making nuclear weapons. They acknowledge that it would be a violation of Quranic law 7.
We seem oblivious to the consequences of a third country being involved in our military excursions. This comes about by thinking it is all right to have our Vice President Joe Biden remark that “it is Israel’s call” 7 about whether to attack Iran. It is also unavoidable to listen to Netanyahu refer to Ahmadinejad as the fanatic who wants to wipe Israel off the map 7 despite the fact that there is no evidence that Iran has such weapons. One should also consider that Ahmadinejad has no authority to take Iran to war 7. The control factor now seems to be in the hands of the “Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution”.
There is many a person in our own country who fathoms Iran as just another third world country, whatever that is. The feeling is that if Iran acquires the knowledge to make a weapon of mass destruction, it would be similar to that of a truant child suddenly being put behind the wheel of an SUV and who knows how fast he may drive it and surely cause a wreck anyway.
The truth is, with the higher education level of the average Iranian, they are quite aware of the ramifications of abusing the use of nuclear power 8. They are also aware of the benefits of nuclear energy and how it can be applied to their own infrastructure so as to lower their own “carbon footprint” on this planet, in which they are a major supplier of oil to this energy seeking world.
The footprints left by Persia for thousands of years cannot go un-noticed. Architecture and gardens beyond comparison are there for the visitor to enjoy. One may still locate the ruins of the ancient city of Persepolis. Persia was the largest Empire in ancient history. It covered three continents as far west as Libya including Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. To the east were the present countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Northeast India, Western, South-west and Middle China. It was in the Caucasus and Asia Minor in the North. This was during the days of the establishment of the Silk Road, the corridor of trade established between the East and West. In those very early days it was also known as Iran, or variations of that name. The name Persia came somewhat later. After a prosperous and historical expansion of the Empire, it was finally conquered by Alexander the Great. Of historical importance, it should be noted that all the successful conquerors became “Persianized” to some extent in that they carried the language, the culture, and literature back along the areas they travelled. Iran now has the geological borders we are familiar with after the European political boundary interests of the area. The presence of Persia was felt all over that part of the world, and we benefit to this day.
The Iran of today can be quite easily summarized by a few observations from a recent Iranian-American traveler, Reyhaneh Fathieh 9. She wished to see the land of her heritage and simply did so. She found Tehran to be not unlike an American city with traffic, tall buildings, hot-dog stands and pizza shops and as she says “ridiculously good-looking people”. All her modern life conveniences were available such as; Coffee cafes, air conditioned Malls, iPhone and high-speed Internet. She saw no military tanks or camels on the streets. Perhaps the main thing she observed was that the Average Iranian does not hate America nor is their behavior unlike that of an American. She quotes a Persian proverb: “Anywhere you go; the sky is the same color”.
References
1. Reza Ladjevardian – Book – from Ancient Persia to Contemporary Iran – History of Iran timeline.
2. MSA – Persian speaking group – circa 1959
3. Time Magazine July 17, 2009 – Andrew Lee Butters / Beirut
4. San Jose Mercury Nov. 17, 2009 – David Sanger & William Broad – Inspectors fear Iran has other atomic facilities.
5. San Jose Mercury Nov. 19, 2009 – Ali Akbar Dareini – Iran rejects uranium proposal
6. San Jose Mercury Oct 28, 2009 – Borzou Daragahi – Iran wants to change deal on nuclear material.
7. Information Clearing House - Pat Buchanan – July 31, 2009 – Israel’s call to attack.
8. San Jose Mercury - Robert Burns – American Strategy on Iran evolves.
9. USA Weekend – Oct 23 -25, 2009 – Reynaneh Fathieh – The Iran I know.
10. President Obama’s speech – June 4, 2009 – Cairo University.
Mertze Dahlin is a Member of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of International Studies.
|
