That's right, it's Wednesday, as my camel friend here can attest. There is some link between camels and Wednesdays, but I can't recall what it is. Scholars maintain the true relationship between the creature and the day of the week has been been muddled and misunderstood for centuries.
There is a very timely "This Day in History" today, and it has nothing to do with that time man domesticated the camel.
As always, happy Wednesday and happy reading.
This Day in History
1981 - The Iranian Hostage Crisis Ends. And here we are three decades and one Billy Joel song later still dealing with Ayatollahs in Iran. The 52 American hostages had been in captivity at 444 days, and were released only minutes after Reagan was sworn in, which means today is also the anniversary of Ronald Reagan's inauguration. Big day. Reagan was around for eight years, but our dysfunctional relationship with Iran has persisted for decades. However, things are trending in the right direction. Nuclear deals, hostage swaps, and even some new sanctions on Iran for violating a missile treaty. Love is in the air? Perhaps not, but if we are serious about enforcing the nuclear accord then any engagement with Iran has the potential to bear fruit. The Iranians captured our embassy in Tehran in 1979, so we're going on 37 strong years of enmity. If that's not enough time for some of the animosity to subside it may never happen, so now's as good a time as ever to reboot the relationship.
My 5-Step Program
During Sunday night's Democratic debate, Hillary Clinton said she had a 3-point plan for addressing the Middle East. Well I have her one-upped. I have a 5-point plan (from Strategy Bridge).
I must say I'm quite proud of this plan. It's not bullet proof by any means, but I do believe it offers a new template for renewed engagement with the Middle East that is rooted in empowerment and American values rather than naked self-interested and an insatiable thirst for oil. In fact, I'm so excited I'm linking it twice (from Willful Intent).
So yes, I'm self-promoting; please don't make me beg you to read!
Iran So Far Away
As a result of the recently lifted sanctions, Iran will re-enter the global economy for the first time in over a decade. This will have serious implications, both positive and negative (from BBC).
Critics point out that Iran will now have more resources to pursue its destabilizing actions in the region, such as funding Hezbollah. They are likely correct. But grit and perseverance are important elements of ending our feud with Iran. The BBC link I shared says that the relationship between the US and Iran is unlikely to improve further because the Ayatollah and military hardliners dislike the agreement and now want to act and appear strong elsewhere, thus creating more opportunities for butting heads. This too, is likely true. In the short term.
But the Ayatollah will turn 77 this year. With our without an accord he is going to challenge the US until his time comes. Rather than point out that an enemy will remain an enemy because we made a deal with him, I think it is better to question what Iran's future leaders will think of the United States. More than a generation removed from the Iranian Revolution, how strong is its fervent grip? Are young Iranians whose impressions of that moment are the same as my impression of the Vietnam War - that is to say shaped entirely by media and history - so committed to waging holy war against the West that they won't trade that ideology for opportunity and wealth? Over 50,000 Americans died fighting communism in Vietnam, and now we're making nice with Cuba.
And there is an interesting comparison. While Cuban Communism and Iranian Theocracy are different beasts, it is worth remembering that the United States sponsored a failed invasion of that nation, after which they set up nuclear weapons only 90 miles from our shores. The threat was much greater than that posed by Iran right now. Yet after that crisis decades of sanctions did nothing to change Cuba. However, it's likely to be a freer and better place in a decade because of new relations with the US. Something worth considering.
A Different View
We generally think of other peoples and places as monolithic. Iran, of course, must be united in its hatred of America, just like Americans are united on our feelings about...about how good pizza tastes!
It's easy for people in far away places to become malevolent in our minds, but what are they actually like? Where do they actually live? What are their stories? This brief piece with some fascinating pics of Kabul by a former Army Officer is quite interesting and revealing (from the Diplomat). Demonizing the other and the enemy is easy, and useful for the purpose of waging war. Humanizing him is harder, but necessary for the purpose of building peace.
Like a Ghost in the Night
Far more active than she appears here, Ghost is an avid outdoors-woman. Ghost lives with her human Ryan in MS, and they are a rural duo. Ryan and Ghost go for long walks daily, with Ghost spending her time chasing after squirrels. However, Ghost is a spotter, so she doesn't try to catch the squirrels, just point them out. It leads to some exhilarating chases followed by a few minutes of Ghost staring up a tree. As you can see these walks tire Ghost out, and so she is seen her doing what she loves second-most, napping. Big thanks to Ryan for sharing Ghost, and if you live in Mississippi, check out his home cleaning service!
Will's Weekly Trivia!
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IF you choose to answer the question, respond to staton.will@gmail.com with your answer. Please note that by competing you are giving me permission to publish your first name in the trivia leader board each week.
TRIVIA!
Last Week: What year did the USSR launch Sputnik?
Answer: Sputnik was launched in 1957.
This Week: There are two primary branches of Islam. Which is practiced predominantly in Iran?
LEADER BOARD 1. MS: Steve - 4 points
2. TX: Chris - 3 points
2. TN: Natalie - 3 points
3. NY: Alexa - 2 points
3. OR: Joe - 2 points
3. NY: Mike - 2 points 3. MS: Bill - 2 points
4. MS: Meghan - 1 point
4. NY: Joe - 1 point
4. MS: Andrew - 1 point
4. TN: Meredith - 1 point
