Iran's space program: The next genie in a bottle?

The attached somewhat rambling but interesting article points out three motives for Iranian development of a space program:

1. Create national pride and unity behind Iran's modernism as the first Islamic nation to penetrate the stratosphere (modernism is NOT the same thing as Westernism);
2. To enhance Iran's defensive capabilities against US forces in the Middle East and Israeli forces by providing total visibility afforded by satellite intelligence; and
3. Most ominously, to perfect a missile platform weapon capabilities for offensive operations against US, Israeli, European and Arab countries.

We always think of the third reason stated above for ominous Iranian behavior, but never the other two. It would be a grave disservice to understate the importance of the other two factors in pursuing behavior-modifying strategies with regard to Iran. In my "Global Predictions, Part 2" article earlier this week I talk about the idea of America applying genuine, respectful diplomatic outreach to the Iranians -- at the same time that we apply pressure with other means -- in an attempt to create a dialog with the Iranian people and elements of their government that MIGHT lead to a breakthrough before we get to the nuclear precipice with them. Now admittedly, I am a bit too much of a pessimist in human nature, and the prisons that we create for ourselves in our world views, to expect an effective breakthrough at this late hour with the Iranians. A.L. has called me on this pessimism by gently reminding me, after Global Predictions, Part 2 came out, that "war is always the least desirable of outcomes" (well, maybe Iran having nukes is worse, but I get where he is going with this -- he feels that my lack of confidence in our world leaders and human nature make the diplomatic course a pre-ordained loser, and I just fast forward in my heart, if not on paper, to the military solution as the only likely effective one, even though it will just creat more problems down the road). Accordingly, in spite of my pessimism, in the coming days I will provide an alternate history to the Iranian situation that will make A.L., and most people of good conscience, happy.


Iran's space program: The next genie in a bottle? | Jerusalem Post