Expect the Unexpected from Iran
February 9, 2010 | By Amanda Reinecker
Iran's hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recently warned that his country will deliver a harsh blow to "global arrogance" on Thursday, February 11, the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. But what on earth did he mean?
Heritage Middle East expert Jim Phillips weighs in on what Iran's latest provocation likely means. He writes:
In Ahmadinejad's twisted mind, Iran is a world power that leads a global alliance against a United States that seeks to dominate the world. Any action that signifies Iranian independence and progress on the political, military, nuclear, technological or economic fronts therefore is a blow against the United States. Ahmadinejad already has lauded the launch of an Iranian research rocket [last week] -- a "big event" and more ballistic missile tests may follow. Or perhaps an announcement on the nuclear front.
One thing seems certain: the "annual regime-supported demonstrations in support of Iran's Islamic revolution, with their customary chants of 'death to America', will not be the harsh blow that Ahmadinejad has in mind," Phillips explains.
» Get the latest on Iran plus all the facts at Heritage's Iran Briefing Room
Some signs suggest the blow will be "an announcement on the nuclear front." Just today, Iranian officials announced that they have initiated the process for making higher-grade nuclear fuel. The Obama administration announced today that it is pushing for a new U.N. Security Council resolution targeting Iran's nuclear program more directly and firmly. But Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told Fox News that, though the process would be expedited, it could take weeks. This announcement also sparked concern overseas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Iran's defiant nuclear progress with a call for "crippling sanctions [which] must be applied right now." Even Russia, which has often defended Iran, scolded the rogue country for its nuclear provocations.
Iran may be faced with a harsh blow itself, not from the free world but from within. Iran's opposition leaders and their Green Movement, who made their debut to the world during the controversial elections last summer, continue to bravely demand long-overdue reforms in Iran.
"If large numbers of Iranians demonstrate on February 11 in support of the Green Movement," writes Phillips, "that will be a harsh blow to Ahmadinejad and his thuggish regime."
Other Heritage Work of Note
- The recession has exacerbated the problems facing Social Security. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are being forced into early retirement, which has lead to the loss of Social Security's annual surplus for the first time in 25 years. With the Baby Boomer generation preparing to retire, Social Security will begin accruing permanent losses by 2016. The Heritage Foundation's Mike Brownfield writes, "This news – or 'reminder' – should be a wake-up call for the Obama administration and Congress. The Social Security system needs help, and it's time to look at real solutions to the problem." Read Heritage's proposals for reforming Social Security and ensuring retirement income for seniors.
- The American Medical Association released research this week showing a significant correlation between abstinence education programs and reduced teen sexual activity. This comes as no surprise to proponents of abstinence education. Unfortunately, it also comes as little surprise that the Obama administration has terminated federal funding of abstinence education, despite the overwhelming evidence that teens who abstain are more likely to succeed in school, attend and graduate college, and live happier lives overall.
"The simple fact that abstaining teens are twice as likely to go to college would seem to be an important piece of information," Heritage's Robert Rector writes on National Review Online. "It's the sort of thing that should be made widely available to teens, parents, and educators. But don't hold your breath waiting for the government or the media to tell anyone."
- Recent snowstorms in Washington, D.C. have done more than snarl traffic. Only three Senators were able to make it to the Senate chamber today, meaning the vote on Obama's second "stimulus" bill was postponed indefinitely. This is good news for conservatives, who recognize that big-government spending programs like this inevitably kill jobs. If passed into law, the proposal would end workers' rights to fight unionization and effectively give the government the power to run small businesses. The frustrated pleas of American citizens to reduce government regulation and spending — as seen in the tea parties and recent election results — seem to have fallen on deaf ears. According to Heritage's Conn Carroll, "small business owners identified high taxes and government regulation as two of the top three problems facing their business."
In other news
- Record snowfalls in Washington have brought the city to a standstill and kept lawmakers and bureaucrats safely at home, where they can do little harm. More snow is forecast for today and tomorrow.
- The AP reports on a possible scandal in the Empire State: "New York Gov. David Paterson on Monday lashed back at what he called a 'callous and sleazy' assault on his character in statehouse rumors and media reports that include accusations about womanizing and drug use, allegations he flatly denied.
- President Obama has called for a bipartisan "health care summit." Conservatives in Congress are wary and have asked that it allow real solutions to be considered.
- Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has passed away at age 77. Famous recently for his opposition to the Iraq war and pork-barrel spending, he advocated for veterans for more than 30 years. A special election will be held to fill his seat.
- A study by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute finds that after attending college, students tend to espouse liberal politics while remaining ignorant of civics.
Amanda Reinecker is a writer for MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. Nathaniel Ward, the Editor of MyHeritage.org, and Eva Brates, a Heritage intern, contributed to this report.
