I appreciate Ross Kaminsky’s comments
in response to my criticism of General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concerning his assessment of Iran as a
rational actor.
Ross generally accepts General Dempsey’s position “that we must
view their rationality within the framework of their beliefs and
values.” Of course, it is important that we understand what
motivates the Mullahs. Yet when we characterize the Iranian
regime’s motivations as rational it has the unintended consequence
of normalizing genocidal behavior. I am not suggesting the Iranians
aren’t capable of being calculating and clever. Quite the contrary,
their intentions couldn’t be clearer. But the desire to murder
millions of people is inherently irrational.
I am well aware that the term rational actor is widely used in
the field of international relations (and for that matter in
economics.) But it is a theory only serves to reveal the
shortcomings of international relations as an academic discpline.
All of which brings me back to these questions. If there are
rational actors then aren’t there irrational actors? If Iran is
considered a rational actor then what nation is an irrational
actor? Or are there only rational actors? If there are only
rational actors, it goes a long way in explaining why the UN cannot
discern aggressor from victim, good from evil.
It is well worth remembering that Iran wasn’t so irrational
towards Israel. Indeed, when the Shah was in power, Iran enjoyed
friendly, if discreet relations with Israel. Although no formal
diplomatic ties were established they had missions in the other’s
territory. One of the first things the Ayatollah Khomeini did after
coming to power was to sever all ties with Israel and symbolically converting
the Israeli mission into a PLO mission. The people who rule
Iran are a different breed from those who ruled Iran more than a
generation ago. The Shah was certainly no democrat but neither did
he aspire to commit genocide. Consider
the words of renowned historian Bernard Lewis:
Iran’s leadership comprises a group of extreme fanatical Muslims
who believe that their messianic times have arrived. Though Russia
and the US both had nuclear weapons, it was clear that they would
never use them because of MAD. Each side knew it would be destroyed
if it attacked the other. Buth with these people in Iran, MAD is
not a deterrent factor, but rather an inducement. They feel that
they can hasten the final messianic process. This is an extremely
dangerous situation of which it is important to be aware.
Otherwise, Ross and I are in agreement about the nature of the
Iranian regime and what it is capable of doing. I believe Ross
would also agree the same canot be said for the Obama
Administration.
