On September 11th, William J. Cox, historian, journalist and author, released his e-book, "Target Iran: Drawing Red Lines in the Sand". Not being a for-profit endeavor, it is available online and can be downloaded for free. Don't let the cost frighten you away, the message is penetrating and invaluable, if only our congress would listen. They should, for it is about some of their favorite subjects, foreign intrigue, death, debt and destruction.
A must read for anyone who is concerned for the future of our country as well as for the multitudes of innocents in the Middle East. The warring factions of at least two nations including the United States are clamoring to engage Iran. It would be a tragic mistake based on ignorance and unwarranted hostility of some elite politicians and their think-tank friends, who incidentally spend most of their time "thinking" of ways to go to war or instigating covert regime changes. Recall the actions in Iran in 1953, Indonesia 1965, Cambodia 1970, Chile 1970-75, the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Afghanistan and Iraq. Need we go on?
In his closing statement, Mr. Cox offers a profound view of the situation and pleads for citizen involvement; "War is not inevitable. Peace is still possible, but time is short and the moment for courage and wisdom is now". A timely addendum would be, "before you pull the trigger".
The book contains a most concise and easily assimilated study of the history of the area and its political intrigue. But what is more important is what might be in store for us and indeed, the global community, if we do not engage Iran as a friend and neighbor. Understanding for the vulnerability and security of the people of "both" Israel and Iran is in short supply while the propaganda machines of the special-interest groups and the American media are running at full capacity to lure the country into the war-trap. Assisting in the rush to launch the drones are the lackey members of congress who dance to the tunes of their handlers, the foreign-connected lobbyists.
As Mr. Cox explores the history of the conflict it readily becomes apparent that the people of Iran have to cause to be wary of external forces that materially effect their security. They indeed might feel that their security is at risk just as their neighbors in Israel feel. Terrorist acts usually indicate a manifestation of imbalance of power. Given that the U.S. has the most weapons available in the area it would seem that both nations are at risk because of the involvement of a foreign power, the United States. We have the power to start a fire-storm but who can put it out?
As we draw close to another boiling point requiring a good strapping of a rouge nation, as the neocons see it, the working class must be whipped up into a frenzy to back the weak and evil elements of a government who will send their sons and daughters to engage the "enemy". Propaganda is a game of distorting facts and overriding wisdom and religion is the workhorse of the deadly game. As we have seen before, who can stand up to a president who has had a divine revelation and received a message from God commanding him to take his nation to war?
Taking into account the vacillating nature of political office-holders the only way to preserve a sustainable republic worth living in is for the citizens themselves take charge of their destiny and demanding in unequivocal terms that their government operate under the strictest standards of fairness and equality; then and only then will terrorism subside.
Frighteningly few brave individuals have the nerve and acuity of mind to take on the giants such as the AIPAC, Fox News, patriotism, God and the military-industrial complex. William John Cox has done it with a position of truth and vision for mankind.
Two companion reads will complement his analysis; "The Sea of Lies", by John Barry, an author, historian and distinguished scholar. Barry leads you through the maze of events, minute by minute. Either the action was careless and haphazard or it was an intentional act using lethal force. If it was an accident at least one would have expected an apology. Here the readers will be given the facts so they may draw their own conclusions.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/1992/07/12/sea-of-lies.html
Another is a letter from a writer who was a former Iranian Navy Captain offering his views on what to think about before you let fly the missiles:
http://defendersfje.tripod.com/id51.html
As William Cox explains, if the inflammatory conditions in the Middle East precipitate a nuclear war it would surely overshadow the devastation caused by first two nuclear weapons used in hostile action against human targets in 1945. So it can't happen, think again.
As the author suggests, an opportune place to start the peace process would be the removal all nuclear weapons and thus reduce the level of imbalance of power. However, it is almost unthinkable that any super-power could be so benevolent and smart. And certainly not the snarling war-hawks of Israel. Simmering political intrigue aside, accidents and careless actions do happen so immediate safeguards should be implemented before the meltdown commences.
Humanity hanging by a thread is the best way to describe my feelings as I came to the final lines of "Target Iran: Drawing Red Lines in the Sand". If any one book should be read today, this is it.
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