Regime Change For Iran?

It's looking more and more that the United States is on a collision course with Iran. This story (here) underscores the conflict.

"The Bush administration, frustrated by Iranian defiance regarding its nuclear program, proposed yesterday to spend $85 million to promote political change inside Iran by subsidizing dissident groups, unions, student fellowships, and television and radio broadcasts."

This is a smart move. Even if Iran is viewed only as a nuclear proliferation problem, pushing regime change is wise.

The mullahs in Iran have made it clear that they want nuclear weapons. Inspections and testing can only go far in thwarting their ambition. Moreover, Iran, like any country, is entitled to withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and then there would be no legal bar to Iran developing nuclear weapons.

The mullahs can't be trusted to give up their ambition to get nukes, and they can't be trusted once they get them. The safer solution is to ensure that the government in Iran can be trusted. Supporting democratic and peaceful regime change is a right step in that direction.

-tdr

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