The reason that Americans have not been able to see the great strategic benefit that could accrue from a closer relationship with Iran is emotion.
From Stephen Kinzer
Emotion is always the enemy of wise statesmanship.
There is much to justify Turkey's reverence for Ataturk. He is the force that allowed Turkey to rise from the ashes of defeat and emerge as a vibrant new nation.
Without Ataturk's vision, without his ambition and energy, without his astonishing boldness in sweeping away traditions accumulated over centuries, today's Turkey would not exist, and the world would be much poorer.
Ataturk approved of the mevlevi dervish approach to God as being 'an expression of Turkish genius' that reclaimed Islam from what he saw as hide-bound, backward Arab tradition.
Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.
No offense to Iceland, but Latin America is where the fugitive leaker Edward Snowden should settle.
The withdrawal of more than half a million Russian troops and dependents from Germany since 1991 is described by historians as 'the biggest pullout ever by an army not defeated in battle.'
The Afghans are probably the world champions in resisting foreign domination and infiltration into their country.
If a leader comes to office in a seemingly fair election and tolerates dissent, he or she qualifies for our seal of approval.
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