|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/price-selling-kurds-article-1.3617688
The Gap between American Rhetoric and Actions in the Middle East
(New York Daily News) Dennis Ross - Rhetorical hostility toward Iran must be guided by intelligent policy. If we want the Europeans to join us in addressing the vulnerabilities of the Iranian nuclear deal, they have to see a clear diplomatic plan - one that doesn't just make threats but that recognizes their concerns about not renegotiating the deal. Similarly, if we want the Saudis, Emirates and others to work with us and help carry the burden of filling the vacuum after the defeat of ISIS, they must see we are taking steps to, at a minimum, contain the Iranians in Syria and in the region. If the Russians could transform the balance of power in Syria with just a fraction of the air power we have in the region, is it impossible for us to convey that we won't tolerate the further spread of Iranian and Shia militia presence there? Standing by as the Kurds were forced to retreat has sent a message far more powerful than the administration's words on Iran. The writer has held senior national security positions in several presidential administrations and is counselor at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.