February 10, 2012

How To Think About Iran's Nuclear Program

Like some predatory colonial power of the not-so-distant past the U.S. seems to think that war might solve our problems with Iran. But it couldn't. Instead, we need the imagination, and courage, to find a compromise. To help us make our way we're extraordinarily lucky then to have Ambassador Peter Jenkins, a British diplomat for thirty three years and, in his last posting from 2001-2006, Britain's Permanent Representative to the IAEA. Peter thus knows about as much regarding Iran's nuclear programs as anyone currently outside government could. And he says there is a deal to be had; indeed, that back in 2005 the Iranians had already offered it to us. Peter cuts through technical complications and policy conundrums to ask sensible questions about our larger purpose. Those same questions our governments should be asking themselves. Total runtime forty two minutes. Flectī, nōn frangī.    [Transcript available, here.]