Machiavelli and the Mullahs

Wow, this is some good advice. I love the 3 step process that is laid out before us (and is aimed towards the president's plans) "Self-reliance, the importance of being feared, and the need to take the initiative once conflict is inevitable". If only this approach was taken initially...

The Prince (10-18)

While reading this section, I found two quotes that relate to the contemporary United States:

"Moreover, a Republic trusting to her own forces, is with greater difficulty than one which relies on foreign arms brought to yield obedience to a single citizen" (p. 32).

This, I saw as relating to the struggle for oil, and since we are reliant on the middle east for some oil, we are weaker because of it. Oil is not a literary "weapon" as "arms" would be, but it has the same demand. When reading the NPT, it mentioned that Pakistan and Iran haven't joined, for fear of losing their existing nuclear capabilities, and this need for oil and makes the United States "turn the other cheek".

"In his private dealings with his subjects his decisions should be irrevocable, and his reputation such that no one would dream of overreaching or cajoling him" (p. 48)

This quote seemed like a good idea. Many times, when people are put into a position of power, they favor a certain group of people and can be persuaded with their decisions. This quote says that his say should be it, and that he must keep his reputation as having the last say in things. He must not be swayed by his citizens, but be able to "stand on his own two feet".

Iran: the Struggle for Democracy

I thought these articles were very informative. It was great that they included the students' opposition to the strict policies of the government, which started in 1997. Granted, I didn't know much about anything in 1997, except maybe some Harry Potter trivia, but it was great to find out that this uprising of wanting reform from the youth has been taking place. They specifically called for "separation of mosque and state" and now, more than ever, it shows that although a country might have been founded under a general religion, it is best to separate it from ruling, because there will always be someone who is different and could be offended. If they are to have rights like anyone else, it is best to separate all partiality factors, including religion. Khomeini, who I also didn't know by name, rejects western culture, and could also be the reason he is following such a strict representation of Islam. Also, the country's background information helped me to understand the conflicts and how they were putting a dividing line between the youth (and citizens for a revolution) and strict fundamentalists, who go so far as to eliminate those rights of people who worship differently or not at all. Also, it was informative to learn that (on both sides of the coin), oil is a huge bargaining chip and can make countries greedy.