Russia Can Be Part of the Answer on Iran By CHARLES SCHUMER

online.wsj.com ^ | * JUNE 3, 2008 | CHARLES SCHUMER

[Publius804]

Russia Can Be Part of the Answer on Iran

By CHARLES SCHUMER

Last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran was installing an additional 6,000 centrifuges at Iran's main nuclear enrichment complex. The Bush administration in turn needs to use every diplomatic tool in its arsenal to halt Tehran's development of nuclear weapons.

While the military option can never be taken off the table, most experts admit it would be unlikely to succeed. Because Iran has dispersed its nuclear facilities and buried some deep underground, an air strike will at best slow down, without preventing, its eventual creation of nuclear weapons. A military occupation might do so, but there are less costly solutions available.

Those solutions begin with understanding the fundamental instability of Iran's theocratic dictatorship. Iran is not a homogenous country. It is home to several major and traditionally competitive ethnic groups – Persians, Azeris, Kurds and Arabs. The predominant Iranian culture is mild and secular, not prone to religious fanaticism. Iranians have a great affinity for Western goods and ideas. Satellite TV is illegal in Iran, but there are an estimated five million satellite dishes in Iranian households. The most popular television station is not Al Jazeera nor even CNN, but MTV.

[dr_who]

Yeah, I miss Rush’s updates. They always brightened my day. Rush’s EIB should be looking at satellite radio and other markets just in case the Democrats try to shut him down.

[OKSooner]

Ezekiel.