Iran’s Future
The Iranian oil industry is crumbling under Ahmadinejad’s poor leadership, with output declining every year as the infrastructure is neglected. Unemployment runs over 60 percent for those under 24. The people are growing weary of rhetoric with no substance.
Patience has paid off at the UN, with the Security Council voting 15-0 to impose sanctions on Iran for pursuing its nuclear ambitions. Even China and Russia have been persuaded to take a stand against the nuclear program that they are helping to build, further isolating Iran.
Last weeks election was an overwhelming defeat for Ahmadinejad’s hard-line stance. Even in a country where the hardliners count the votes, they only seated 2 candidates.
Victor Davis Hanson pens an excellent analysis of Iran and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s shaky position.
Bottom line: President Bush’s policy of international pressure is exactly what is needed.
We do not, as the “Iraq Study Group” suggests, need to give Ahmadinejad street cred by engaging him in formal negotiations. We need to further isolate the mullahs and eventually Iran will go the way of Libya. Not as soon as Syria, but within 5 years.
