Iran analysis
In "The Iran connection" [November 22], we learned that the revolving doors at Iraq's borders with Syria, Jordan, and especially Iran have been spinning not outward with refugees fleeing but inward carrying well-armed terrorists who have recently finished training in Iran. Despite flawed intelligence that dragged us into this war, we are there and need to find out which countries are making it their business to stop us from doing our business and going home alive.
KEITH ORSINI
Portland, Maine
Iran's efforts would be unlikely to be directed at initiating an endless attrition war between the United States and Iraq's Shiite population. In a more likely scenario, Iran would start an ethnic civil war between the Shiites and Kurds, beginning in Kirkuk. Simultaneously, the Iranians would provide considerable support to Sunni insurgents and al Qaeda's foreign fighters in a Bosnia-style effort against the United States. During a visit to Iran in September and October, I learned directly from moderate officials that this was the prospective plan Iranian hard-liners developed for Iraq.
MARK EDMOND CLARK
Council on Foreign Relations
New York
During the 1980s, the United States backed and armed Saddam Hussein and Iraq against Iran. The United States also backed the repressive shah of Iran. Now, our invasion of Iraq may have derailed the growing reform movement in Iran and rallied the Iranians against the United States. Instead of bringing democracy to the Middle East, we have done what the terrorists alone could not do: united the people in that region against the United States.
CLARENCE WALL
Escondido, Calif.
Apart from the negative attributes, there is also opportunity in Iran. Many people have called the opportunity of a democratically elected moderate president in Iran historic for the West. President Mohammad Khatami is the hope of millions of young Iranians who desperately long for reform and are at odds with hard-liner-controlled Iran. The clerics, with their antiwestern agenda, still wield significant power, but it is naive to consider all of Iran evil and at odds with western interests. Neighboring Iraq has a long way to go to reach a similar, well-working democracy. Isolating Iran is likely to waste a potentially historic opportunity to bring it closer to the international community.
TANGUY SEIWERT, M.D.
Chicago
Immigration issues
After reading "Not in the mood for Guests" [December 6], I was surprised that President Bush, who is focused on his war on terror, would support an idea like his guest worker program. The Department of Homeland Security recently stopped unapproved border patrol sweeps in Southern California. If the terrorist threat really is so serious, why are we opening the borders to more immigrants?
BRAD HARPER
Newport Beach, Calif.
"Not in the mood for guests" states:"[Rep. Elton] Gallegly says he respects the president but adds that if Bush insists on peeving House Republicans early in his term, he could put his entire agenda at risk. 'Washington,' says Gallegly, 'is a land of grudges.' " The statement that I respect the president is correct. The balance of the statement is incorrect and misleading. My position, and the position that I stated, is that I do not agree with the president on what I refer to as amnesty. Nor do a large number of my fellow Republicans, and we are prepared to oppose the president on that issue if that is the only resolution to protecting the nation from the problems of illegal immigration.
REP. ELTON GALLEGLY
Member of Congress
24th District
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Correction: "Conquering Our Phobias" [December 6] included an incorrect area code for Virtually Better, a source for help. The correct number is (404) 634-3400. [47069]
This story appears in the December 27, 2004 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.
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