Thursday, November 12, 2009

Nation & World

Maintaining Perspective

By Fouad Ajami
Posted 2/25/07
Page 2 of 2

Then there are the troubles that count-the disabilities at home. Iran's deranged president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, came into power promising to put Iran's oil wealth "on the dinner table." But the Iranian economy is on the ropes. Hyperinflation, the drying up of international credit lines, and the astounding growth in energy consumption in Iran are bringing the country to the edge of crisis. The price of bread and meat and basic commodities has risen by as much as 25 percent. To tranquilize the realm, gasoline is subsidized well below its cost, and domestic consumption now accounts for a stunning 40 percent of Iran's oil production. Dire predictions now hold that the country will be unable to export much oil a decade from now.

The true believers will proclaim that revolutionary purity trumps all, but worldly needs and affairs ultimately prevail. A society that spends $20 billion a year to subsidize the price of energy, electricity, and gasoline will in the end have to contend with the wrath and disappointment of its people. There is swagger in Iran, and there is menace, for its rulers are without scruples. Terrorism, for them, is always an option. But theirs is a vulnerable and brittle society. There is no need to "engage" them and bail them out as they stumble. The regime should be harassed, contained, and held to account. We may not have to wait two centuries to pronounce on the fate of this revolution. The swagger abroad and the rot at home: It is a trajectory we are all too familiar with by now.

advertisement

advertisement

10 Things You Didn't Know About...

Why doesn't Barack Obama like ice cream? Find out.

Washington Whispers

Face it, you need to know the buzz in D.C., and that's where Whispers comes in.

advertisement

50 Ways to Improve Your Life

U.S. News offers tips for improving your life.

America's Best Leaders

What makes someone a great leader?

Thomas Jefferson Street

Daily insight on politics and culture from the Thomas Jefferson Street bloggers.

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.