Transcript
16.30 GMT-12:30 PM/EST
While the U.S. is at a crossroad about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a House Congressional hearing today addressed another concern: Iran’s strategic aspirations in the Middle East.
Jon B. Alterman, Center for Strategic and International Studies: “By advertising its hostility towards Israel, and supporting those who attack Israel, the Iranian government seeks to demonstrate to the disaffected throughout the region that it is more courageous and more true to their sentiment than their own governments… Hezbollah gives Iran a stick with which it can poke Israel, Gulf Arab countries close to Lebanon and the United States.”
There was a general agreement in the hearing that the fall of Iraq has paved the way for a stronger and more defiant Iran.
Rep. Gary L. Ackerman, Chairman, House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia: “The threat from Iran to our vital national security interests is real. It is real, but I am absolutely convinced it is manageable… We are in Iraq largely because we, as a nation, didn’t think. We can’t afford to make the same mistake twice.”
Following these lines, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs explored options, other than military to manage the conflict with Tehran.
Judith S. Yaphe, Institute for National Strategic Studies: “There is the Nuclear-free zone option…which has been talked about a lot in the region, especially the Egyptians and others in the Arab world. The U.S. is certainly not going to tell Israel that’s a good idea. Israelis don’t want to give up on anything that guarantees them a security edge. If you want Israel to do that, then what will Iran put on the table for that and does Iran really want that as a goal?”
Economic sanctions against Iran already is one option, but it’s “not working effectively,” according to Representative David Scott.
Rep. David Scott, Vice Chair, Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade Subcommittee: “…because of this partnership that takes us all the way back to Russia… As long as they have Russia as their protector we need to find a way to ease that relationship… Maybe we put the reduction of the defense missile system that they are so upset about on the table. Maybe we give them a carrot to make up for the billions of dollars they’re getting from them.”
And there is also China and India. Their energy-hungry economies also need Iran, which has the second largest natural gas reserves and oil fields in the world. (GFX: India is considering a gas pipeline project with Iran and Pakistan - China surpassed the European Union in oil trade with Iran in 2007 - Iran is the world’s third largest exporter of oil)
Committee members and experts were divided on whether the U.S. should engage Iran directly. However, there was a consensus that the best way to strengthen America’s position in the region is stabilizing Iraq.
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