What to do with Iran?

By Ammar Ali Hassan

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There is no question that Iran is now a major player in the region. Tehran has managed to play one Arab country against another, embroil us in its power games with Washington, and keep a tight hold of resistance groups that were supposed to be fighting our war, not Iran's.

The Arabs have no unified policy on Iran. Some toe the American line, hoping to humour Washington without thinking much of their own national security. Some flirt with the Iranians, hoping to score a point or two against the Americans, the Israelis, or other Arab adversaries.

We cannot afford to remain divided on Iran. Nor can we let Tehran step into a vacuum that we have created through our squabbling and inconsistency. We have been at odds with Iran in the past and managed to remain united. We have also cooperated with Iran in the past and got some good results. But we have to act together.

What I suggest is that we identify areas of common interest and promote them. Meanwhile, we have to keep Tehran from meddling in our affairs. We don't need to play second fiddle to the Americans. Iran is our neighbour, and we can figure out the best way to deal with it.

So let's have it out with the Iranians. Let's tell them that we cannot allow them to sow turbulence in our midst. They have to understand that we don't like their posturing, and we don't want them arming resistance groups behind our backs.

We cannot allow the Iranians to posture at our expense. We cannot allow them to speak on our behalf. And we cannot let our armed groups take orders from Tehran. The Iranians will understand this message only when we deliver it in one voice, and back it up with credible action.

This week's Soapbox speaker is a political analyst.