Posted on 11/29/2011 11:48:09 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Many people have the misconception that sanctions are an effective means to encourage a change of behavior in another country without war. However, imposing sanctions and blockades are not only an act of war according to international law, they are most often the first step toward a real war starting with a bombing campaign. Sanctions were the first step in our wars against Iraq and Libya, and now more sanctions planned against Syria and Iran are leading down the same destructive path.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) latest report, just out this month, there is no evidence that Iran has diverted enriched uranium from the peaceful and lawful generation of power toward building a nuclear weapon. According to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has every right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Unfortunately, US foreign policy has boxed Iran into a corner where they may view development of a nuclear weapon as the only way to maintain sovereignty. They are surrounded by unfriendly nuclear powers and history has shown that having a nuclear weapon is the best way to avoid being bombed or invaded. The unintended consequences of our confrontational policies toward Iran may be to actually encourage them to seek nuclear weapons capabilities. We should be using diplomacy rather than threats and hostility.
Fortunately there is another way. Nothing promotes peace better than free trade. Countries that trade with each other generally do not make war on each other, as both countries gain economic benefits they do not want to jeopardize. China is a massive nuclear power yet it does not seek military confrontation with the United States. Trade is much more profitable. Also trade and friendship applies much more effective persuasion to encourage better behavior, as does leading by example. Alarmingly, tough new sanctions are under consideration that would also punish Iran’s trading partners, including China, Russia, and possibly our NATO allies such as Germany.
Conversely, sanctions allow regimes to blame their shortcomings on foreigners, thereby maintaining a hold on power. They rarely even inconvenience elites in the target countries. They simply provide a common enemy to rally the people against and undermine internal dissent. Consider how well the embargo has worked against Cuba. Fidel Castro and his regime may be annoyed by the inability to trade with their neighbors just 90 miles away, but American businessmen also lose out in the bargain. That means less jobs and less freedom at home.
We should be clear about this: sanctions against Iran are definite steps toward a US attack. Already we see US warships approaching the region, moving dangerously close to Syrian waters. The tougher sanctions currently under consideration would disrupt global trade and undermine the US economy, which in turn harms our national security. Foreign companies or foreign subsidiaries of US companies would be severely punished if they did not submit to the US trade embargo on Iran. We must change our foreign policy to one of economic freedom and diplomacy. That is the only way to promote peace and prosperity. This race to war against Iran and Syria is both foolhardy and dangerous.
He sits in the US House as a Republican and he polls well enough to qualify for the debates.
He’s a Libertarian, and he’ll likely run under their banner.
He’s dangerously out to lunch on foreign policy but he has his goof ball followers.
I’d like to know the sources od his funding.
Is it all from libertarians and Republicans or not?
Lol, they are you idgits.
Diplomacy is war by another means — Carl Von Clausewitz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_von_Clausewitz
They are escalated diplomatic steps used to try to prevent an upcoming war.
Well, all right, Ron, you've convinced me. I say we should be as friendly to Iran as they are to us. All one big happy family. Wait...what's that I'm hearing over there? "Death to America"?
Maybe the Iranians should be using diplomacy rather than threats and hostility. Go tell them that, Ron. Let us know how that works out for you.
How about storming an embassy?
“Fortunately there is another way. Nothing promotes peace better than free trade. Countries that trade with each other generally do not make war on each other, as both countries gain economic benefits they do not want to jeopardize.”
Paul needs to remember President Reagan’s words on the irrationality of middle eastern politics. Ahmadinejad and his radical base aren’t looking for “bread and peace.” They’re looking to make Iran the dominant nation in the region, and having nuclear weaponry is a key element to that goal.
>>>”We must change our foreign policy to one of economic freedom and diplomacy. That is the only way to promote peace and prosperity. This race to war against Iran and Syria is both foolhardy and dangerous.”<<<
Taking just the last 60 yrs, post WW2, there has been nothing but War in the ME in particular. Why? One answer: Human beings are not into “peace & prosperity” - they’ll always find a (their own) reason(s) for starting another war.
p.s. - And, some “prosper” thru war - so, forget the “peace” bit.
I think he’ll make a horrible president, but he’s not wrong on sanctions being acts of war.
Actually hes correct thats what started WWII.. with the Japanese and probably increased Hitlers power play..
Overt international meddling is not the same as covert international meddling(spying)..
Right. That's what motivates these guys - just throw some of those economic benefits at them, and they'll settle down /sarc
What war have they prevented? We have not even ended the second world war, being involved in a conflict since at least 1940....not 41 mind you. We pushed our pilots to begin fighting the Japanese, under Chinese flag before Pearl Harbor, and haven’t been without a war since.
Whatever happened prior to Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini happened. Nothing we can do about it. But as G-d is my Witness, had I been president the day the Iranian islamic bastards invaded our embassy and took Americans hostage, first I would have ordered B 52s fully loaded into the air, and then told them that our hostages had better be on planes back to the US before they heard them overhead because the next sound would have been BOOM!
Diplomacy never won anything. Ever.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.