September 20, 2007
Review: The Iranian Time Bomb by Michael Ledeen
"The Iranian Time Bomb tells the story of the terror war waged against the Western world by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the West's failure to respond effectively [...]
"Most people, even those who consider themselves well informed, do not realize that, for nearly thirty years, the Iranians continuously attacked us, and, aside from some harsh rhetoric from time to time, we never responded."
Thus begins Dr. Ledeen's analysis and evaluation of the Iranian situation, as we know it. His conclusion is most unconventional: That the proper US response isn't sanctions or even open warfare, but rather publicly and vigorously supporting pro-Western elements amongst Iran's educated, Westernized majority towards a new Revolution.
As Dr. Ledeen points out, the majority of Iranians are generally pro-American and pro-Western. They are proud, they are capable, and the mullahcracy is teetering. All the population needs is a bona-fide nod from us.
It's a great read, too, much like an outline draft for a great Tom Clancy scenario. Details, rich characters, clear and present dangers. In this 'novel', however, there is no fantasy. The West is in greater danger than it is willing to admit, and yet the solution seems anticlimactic. Then again, anticlimax is exactly Ledeen's point: This is a problem that truly has an internal solution that would require very little of the West beyond the West's embrasure of Iran's modern populace.
The Kurds, Iraq, Turkey and other considerations will play into our ultimate response, if any. (I pray that MoveOn's neurosis doesn't become one of them.) Yet...
"Revolution is our most lethal weapon against the mullahs. We should have used it years ago, and must use it now."
...before Iran's mullahs fulfill their promises.
Joseph Hayyim