Iran: For Country or Allah?

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Andrew Sullivan and Norman Podhoretz are in an Internet tussle.

Can Iran be trusted with nuclear weapons? That is, would Iran be deterred from using nuclear weapons with the promise of retaliation? Podhoretz has the more hawkish position and does not believe that Iran is constrained by worldly-rational prudence.

A couple of statements from Iranian leaders suggest not, and that it's messianic spirit may rule.

Ayatollah Khomeini's statement:

We do not worship Iran, we worship Allah. For patriotism is another name for paganism. I say let this land [Iran] burn. I say let this land go up in smoke, provided Islam emerges triumphant in the rest of the world.

Former President Rafsanjani's statement:

If a day comes when the world of Islam is duly equipped with the arms Israel has in possession . . . application of an atomic bomb would not leave anything in Israel, but the same thing would just produce damages in the Muslim world.

Both statements are disputed.

I'm afraid we may get the answer to this question, as the West, including America, lacks the will to squelch Iran's nuclear ambitions, willing to rely on good faith that Iran will act prudently and maintain the peace.


(source: Norman Podhoretz at Commentary)

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