26 February 2008
Considering Sanctions on Bank Markazi
In his front-page article in the February 25, 2008, Wall Street Journal, Glenn R. Simpson speculates on the implications for the effectiveness of U.S. pressure on the Iranian government that Treasury Department sanctions on Bank Markazi, its central bank, would have. On first reading, it appears that Mr. Simpson is advocating those sanctions; however, upon closer examination his words prove to be carefully crafted to present as fact a case that was apparently made to him by officials in Washington. It is they who are laying the groundwork for toughening U.S. policy towards Iran, short of invasion.
Mr. Simpson is a convenient and respected vehicle for signaling an escalation in financial warfare on Iran, probably in order to see what objection may be voiced on Capitol Hill as well as in the capitals of our allies. How reasonable the Bush Administration has become as it nears its finale!
There seem to be influential elements in the government, after all, who wish to retain power after the November election. They believe it is not too late to moderate the manner in which they take measures in pursuit of their political agenda. Whoever moves into the White House next year, we may have come to the end of the era of cowpoke politics in Washington.
In his front-page article in the February 25, 2008, Wall Street Journal, Glenn R. Simpson speculates on the implications for the effectiveness of U.S. pressure on the Iranian government that Treasury Department sanctions on Bank Markazi, its central bank, would have. On first reading, it appears that Mr. Simpson is advocating those sanctions; however, upon closer examination his words prove to be carefully crafted to present as fact a case that was apparently made to him by officials in Washington. It is they who are laying the groundwork for toughening U.S. policy towards Iran, short of invasion.
Mr. Simpson is a convenient and respected vehicle for signaling an escalation in financial warfare on Iran, probably in order to see what objection may be voiced on Capitol Hill as well as in the capitals of our allies. How reasonable the Bush Administration has become as it nears its finale!
There seem to be influential elements in the government, after all, who wish to retain power after the November election. They believe it is not too late to moderate the manner in which they take measures in pursuit of their political agenda. Whoever moves into the White House next year, we may have come to the end of the era of cowpoke politics in Washington.
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