I heard a disturbing comment this morning on the C-Span Washington Journal, big surprise. The topic was Obamas engagement of foreign leaders who oppose the United States. A caller made the comment that we should engage in dialog with the countries which we bare any form of reliance upon. Namely countries which export oil. The inference that got me was that we should only engage in our so called "enemies" only when it's in our best interest, especially in the short term. This idea does not consider the future of mankind.
While I agree that we should enter into dialog, with opposing states, and persistently make attempts to come to terms with our differences, even if that entails concessions on both sides, I find the underlying message to be somewhat appalling. The message underscores the idea that we have the right to disengage and return to our strong armed tactics or simply disengage completely when we no longer need a countries resources. To disengage with those whom we consider rogue nations would be a return to a high tension political climate with no real hope for change.
Though there has been proof that standoffs and high tension situations can be resolved without violence or engagement, the cold war being the most prominent example, the truth of the matter is that isolation and intimidation more invariably lead to oppression, poverty, and in many cases war. One can point to Afghanistan as a good example of a country isolated from the world and left to its own devices without any real incorporation into the global economy. Those who paid any attention to the country after the miserable attempted occupation by the U.S.S.R. were radicals who's agendas incorporated the disruption of the global economy and the western values of modernization and progress. They flourished in this long forgotten country.
Further examination into countries like North Korea and Iran lead one to the conclusion that seclusion does not work. North Korea had only agreed to dismantling their nuclear programs upon engagement and investment by the western world. Notable policy shifts, like those of the Bush administration led North Korea to restart it's programs and continue further developing their weapons capabilities, as noted with the recent missile test among others during the Bush administration. Over the past 8 years the rhetoric from Iran has increased and as far as most military accounts, has encouraged rebellions and uprisings in the United States endeavours into Iraq, Iran's neighbor.
In my opinion our path to global peace and prosperity comes in the form of positive engagement and inclusion of all voices on earth. If the Iranians wish to express their opinions on Israel then let them. Public opinion can judge them for their words. As long as they're not committing criminal atrocities, we have nothing to fear in the opinions of those who oppose us other than greater understanding and possibly a more clear path to reconciliation and better relations.
