The Pines-Paz ‘Wake Up!’ Clap on Iran
01 October 2009 1:30 am by Taylor Marsh
–edited version cross-posted on Huffington Post–
The background, as always, is Iran, which will be up front today as world leaders take up the subject of sanctions.
Former presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, Iran’s main political opposition leader, called Ahmadinejad’s foreign policy “wrong and adventurist” this week but came out against new sanctions, saying he worried that “deprived people” would pay the highest price. “Sanctions would not affect the government but would impose many hardships upon the people, who suffer enough as a result of the calamity of their insane rulers,” Mousavi said in a statement. – Iranian Opposition Warns Against Stricter Sanctions
But it was at the end of the meeting yesterday, after listening to Ophir Pines-Paz speak and answer questions from the group assembled by Daniel Levy at the New America Foundation, where things got interesting. (Big thank you to Daniel and Pines-Paz.) Pines-Paz was asked about Iran: “I hope everyone understands now. … .. We are loud on the issue maybe too loud. …”
Too loud, indeed. But when it comes to “everyone understands now,” well, it seems that it’s Mr. Pines-Paz who doesn’t understand, though he’s clearly not alone.
As the event wound to a close, M.J. Rosenberg, who was sitting a couple of seats away from me came over. Whispering in my ear, he asked if maybe he should say something about the American Left not having the same understanding at all as what Pines-Paz was outlining on Iran’s nuclear capabilities. It was as if M.J. had read my mind, as I was thinking Mr. Pines-Pas had completely missed the political dynamics by assuming that everyone on the left is aligned on Iran’s nuclear capabilities and threat, agreeing with Israel’s assessment.
M.J., getting Daniel’s attention, asked to say a word after Pines-Paz’s closing. Watching the reaction as M.J. said that we’re not at all in agreement over Iran’s nuclear threat, Mr. Pines-Paz’s jaw tightened. It was obvious he wasn’t at all prepared for the dissent. Then it came.
Pines-Paz clapped loudly a couple of times, then strongly and emphatically said, “Wake up!”
The reaction couldn’t have been more defensive or purposefully dismissive. Hearing such reality from M.J. Rosenberg, someone who is as solid on Israeli and Middle East politics as anyone writing today, seemed to shock the guest of honor, who immediately turned his head cutting off any engagement on the subject.
But facts are stubborn things.
What is the status of Iran’s nuclear program?
In addition to enriching uranium, a nuclear weapons program includes developing a warhead and building a missile to deliver the weapon. According to Western intelligence agencies, Iran is one to five years away from developing nuclear capability, though it is unclear whether the Islamic Republic has even decided to build a weapon. U.S. intelligence believes that Iran is working on a ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead but that those efforts have slowed. Partly because of that, the United States recently backed out of an agreement for a missile shield in Eastern Europe.
The other issue is that I happen to believe we will not be able to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, however far away weapons grade capabilities and weaponizing itself is today and assuming that’s the real and looming threat, which is why Obama’s denuclearization and the UN Security Council voting unanimous on the issue is so critical. Why serious sanctions are being considered. But as SecDef Gates has also said, there are no military options, contrary to what’s being said by those on the right who are already squealing about regime change or a strike and all other manner of nonsense.
But yet, Pines-Paz offered the same right-wing phraseology that defies reality and drives us all into a ditch: “Real economic sanctions can be very effective… The world should leave all options on the table.”
Stronger sanctions could work, but what of the Iranian people?
If you’re feeling the Iraq merry-go-round revving up you are not alone.
Pines-Paz also neglects to understand that even as Israel will always have a special relationship with the U.S., it is a very different moment from when George W. Bush was in office where Iran is concerned.
That clap of Pines-Paz was a bit of political theater, but as for the need to “wake up,” I’d say that applies to Mr. Pines-Paz as much as anyone, especially when it comes to understanding the American Left on Iran. But that likely has something to do with the “existential threat” reality, which isn’t lost on anyone, but isn’t an excuse to make a challenging reality worse through hyperbole.
Fascinating meeting. With it clear that even as the Israeli press eviscerates Pres. Obama, the Israeli people long for him to prove that his hope can manifest into a tangible commodity for the Middle East.
However, hovering over it all remains Iran, with Israelis and some on the American Left holding very different positions, something over which we are no longer willing to stay silent.
–Below are notes taken during the meeting, reporting via Twitter –
–spelling corrected from Twitter report–
Pines-P sees “great opportunity” in Mideast bcuz of Obama’s presidency. “People paid w their life for peace. “Obama can make a difference.” (link)
Pines-P: Netanyahu has “the option to choose.” On trilateral: “meeting is not enough.. do something.” (link)
Pines-P: “Netanyahu is not there… We’ve got economic peace. … Quiet times… But we are wasting time.” (link)
MJ Rosenberg: Publicly optimistic about Obama, but now dis-spirited about vacillation. Ori Nir: “Netanyahu won. Israelis don’t care.” (link)
Pines-P: On settlements, “It was there…. but it blew away. … Left as an open issue for so long…” Israelis care, “they’ve lost hope.” (link)
“Not only a game of peace; security and peace,” says Pinez-P. (link)
(TM NOTE: The following refers to the Israeli press) Pines-P: “What happened to Obama in Israel is unbelievable; they’re trying to ruin him… It’s not nothing.” (link)
Re Syria: “Army is very positive.” Problem not w security operations, it’s about the politics, their relationship w Iran. (link)
On Labor’s road map back: See Germany. No leadership. Joining right-wing gov. No alternative. – Pinez-Paz (link)
Goldstone report: “Report doesn’t reflect real situation….It was a report against Israel….” But “you don’t boycott a UN committee…” (link)
Pines-Paz on Iran: “I hope everyone understands now. ..We are loud on that issue, maybe too loud.” Israel can defend herself. Saudis worried. (link)
“Real economic sanctions can be very effective.” But “the world should leave all options on the table.”-Pines-Paz (link)
MJ Rosenberg whispered, asking me if he should say American Left doesn’t agree that Iran is nuke threat. Yes, I said. He did. Post soon… (link)
UPDATE: Juan Cole adds more facts in Top Things you Think You Know about Iran that are not True. Someone should send it to Mr. Pines-Paz.
