The Hopelessness of Negotiating with Iran

WASHINGTON, October 21, 2009--Iran and the United States have been holding direct talks this week over Tehran’s nuclear program. What will these diplomatic negotiations accomplish?

“In the three decades since its Islamic revolution, Iran has dedicated itself to spreading its moral ideal--Islamic totalitarianism--by force of arms,” writes Elan Journo, fellow with the Ayn Rand Center and editor of the new book "Winning the Unwinnable War: America’s Self-Crippled Response to Islamic Totalitarianism.” “Teheran spends millions every year, not to pursue prosperity for its tyrannized citizens, but to finance terrorism and to build a nuclear arsenal to wield against enemies of Allah.

“Would diplomatic negotiations encourage Iran to mitigate its ideology? No, they would only intensify its hostility. Negotiations buy Iran time. Above all, diplomacy grants Iran moral legitimacy as a civilized regime: its hostile goals--‘death to America’--and its murder of our citizens are made to seem reasonable differences of opinion. Such appeasement confirms the perverse notion that Allah’s warriors, materially weaker but morally self-righteous, can succeed in bringing down the mighty infidel West.

“To protect American lives, we must learn the life-or-death importance of passing objective moral judgment. We must recognize the character of Iran and act accordingly.”

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Elan Journo is available for interviews. To interview Mr. Journo or book him for your show, please e-mail media@aynrandcenter.org

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