Rice's Diplomatic Defenestration

So, the sanctions against Iran have made the newsrounds by now. Clearly the Bush administration has decided to make another bad decision unilaterally because nobody wants to play with us.

With Condoleezza Rice seemingly at the helm of US international relations these days, one has to wonder, "What is she thinking?" There are the ominous signs of posturing for war. But the sanctions have created some very bad vibes in the direction of Russia and China as well.

With Vladimir Putin positioning himself to become the next autocratic leader of Russia and China pretending they have made major human rights and freedom of expression advancements in preparation for the upcoming Olympics, both countries appear to be much more worried than Iran. Of course, Rice is going for the angle, "We're serious, don't mess with these dudes."

But when was the last time either country responded to roundabout suggestive diplomacy? If the State Department wishes to address the problems within China and Russia, why not do so directly, instead of implying that they make bad business choices by getting oil and other goods from Iran? But more to the point, why does Rice feel the need to meddle with even more of the Middle East?

With the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan not exactly going according to plan, it isn't going to help the cause any by focusing on yet another country in the region. If Secretary Rice wants to try and save face and actually do some good as head of US foreign policy she could very easily broaden her horizons and help out some places who seriously need and can use the type of aide the US has traditionally offered.

However, this is not the path she has chosen. Rice and the Bush administration have inexplicably chosen the Middle East as their pet project where one day, in the distant future, there will be democracy and freedom. I feel that they are misguided in their mission and their goal. But if that is the task they insist on, then they would do best not to put any more projects on their plate.

Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Israel are plenty enough to worry about. Going after Iran in addition to all this is just lunacy. Secretary Rice should better utilize her efforts and work to fix the problems she has already helped create, not make new ones.