Diplomacy trumps missiles
Re At White House, a potential tragedy of errors, Jan 8
For now, U.S. President Donald Trump’s vanity project — taking out Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani — has cost the lives of scores of Iranian mourners killed in a stampede at the general’s funeral, and scores of foreign nationals killed in a plane crash while desperately fleeing Tehran.
The only thing this self-serving president cares less about than Iranian lives is the lives of Iranian Canadians.
There is no room in Trump’s personal world view for effective diplomacy. Having turned Soleimani to smouldering ashes, he was too immature to remain quiet about it, but crowed and gloated, even as millions of grief-stricken mourners flooded the streets of Iran.
Trump may well be re-elected, such is the powerful pseudo-intimacy between him and his adoring followers.
Having said that, I understand Trump’s skepticism about handing back billions to the current Iranian regime, which clearly had a long shopping list of terror-related activities.
It is time now to reinstate a better version of the Iran nuclear pullback, or for Canada to quit the region entirely. Ron Charach, Toronto
In one breath, I both strongly support the Iranian government for countering the diabolical and suicidal action by the U.S., whose war-mongering president has put the world order in great danger, and simultaneously denounce the rhetoric of world leaders who condemned the restrained military response by the Iranian government.
I also deplore the bombing of a target in Iraq, a sovereign state, which killed top military commanders from both Iran and Iraq.
For years, the U.S., supported by Britain and other allies, have made life difficult for grassroots Iranians. Their economy has been ruined because of aggressive sanctions, despite the government’s co-operation with the nuclear agreement.
If western powers want tranquility and stability in the Middle East, they must give up their divide-and-rule policy and let each government be free to follow their faith, ideology and religion. Raza Kara, Richmond Hill
There is as much hunger for peace in this world as there is for bread. War starves us all. There is as much love in the homes of others, in every country, as there is in your own. Love unites us all. There is as much need for understanding in this world as there is for forgiveness. Reconciliation can save us all.
To satisfy the world’s hunger for peace, feed yourself with good judgment, feed your government with good advice and feed all others with goodwill, compassion and respect. To satisfy the world’s hunger for peace, starve war. Robert Hicks, Niagara Falls, Ont.
The United States and Iran should respect the principle of sovereignty of nations. Stop attacking targets in other countries not directly involved in the dispute.
We should remember that, before Donald Trump’s most recent disrespect, former U.S. president George Bush showed great disrespect in attacking Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Of course, that led to disrespect for U.S. sovereignty with the 9/11 attack.
The Arab Spring showed us how countries that disrespect their own citizens will implode — there is no need for externally caused explosions. John Winter, Midland, Ont.
Prior to Donald Trump’s current adventure, Iranians were in the streets for several months protesting the Ayatollah/Republican Guard regime. Clearly, there has been disposition in Iran for many years for regime change.
In the United States, similarly massive numbers of citizens wish fervently that the current White House regime would just go away.
So I have a proposal for mutually assured salvation — a critical mass of Americans and Iranians should connect and agree: “You get rid of yours and we’ll get rid of ours.” The rest of the world would no doubt concur and assist in any suitably cautious way it might. P.D. Brown, Toronto
To the people of the United States: Can no one stop this dictator? He is escalating your country into a world war. He has no regard for you or your children. Can’t you see he is only trying to take the focus off the impeachment issue.
I have grandchildren and I would like them to grow up and live a good life. If Trump is not stopped, no one will be enjoying a life at all. Heather Davidson, Markham
Could Donald Trump’s impeachment and Benjamin Netanyahu’s indictment for bribery, fraud and breach of trust have anything to do with these latest attacks by the U.S. military on Iranian and Iraqi targets? It’s interesting to see their bond get tighter as their political futures become uneasy. War or military attacks are a tried and true way of rallying countries behind their leader. So why should anyone be surprised. Dennis Choptiany, Markham
It might be a trick of the light, but the mourners at Gen. Qassem’s Soleimani’s funeral appear to outnumber even Donald Trump’s inaugural audience. Paul Collier, Toronto
This might have been a good time for Canada to try to mediate between Iran and our neighbour, the U.S. Alas, after more than four years in power, the Trudeau government has not yet got around to re-establishing diplomatic relations with Iran. If we had an embassy in Iran and an ambassador, that would be so very useful right now. So, what’s holding this up? Bill Piket, White Rock, B.C.
Say goodbye to diplomacy. Under the Trump administration, brinkmanship has replaced statesmanship. What has worked (so far) in Iran has not made me feel safer. In this case, cooler heads prevailed.
It would be most beneficial to try a combination of the aforementioned diplomacy and statesmanship before considering the risk of starting a war that would be catastrophic to both sides. Herb Stark, Mooresville, NC
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