Iran. The Anti American Alliance grows

CRS Report for Congress
Iran: U.S. Concerns and
Policy Responses
Updated April 6, 2006

Kenneth Katzman
Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 45 pages PDF
Here are a few extracts from the 45 page report, which if you wish to fully understand US policy is a MUST read. There is a huge amount of valuable detailed information. (plus some bollocks as well).

"According to an Administration national security strategy document released on March 16, 2006, the United States “may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran.” Over the past five years, the Bush Administration has pursued several avenues to attempt to contain or end what it views as the potential threat posed by Iran, including pursuing limited engagement directly or through allies. However, support for a policy of changing Iran’s regime has apparently gained favor within the Administration as Iran has resisted permanent curbs on its nuclear program. "

"Iran’s nuclear program is not the only major U.S. concern on Iran. Successive administrations have pointed to the threat posed by Iran’s policy in the Near East region, particularly material support to groups that use violence against the U.S.-led Middle East peace process, including Hizballah in Lebanon and the Palestinian groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad."(Pic Khatami/Castro 2000)

"Some observers believe that a long-anticipated crisis between Iran and the international community over Iran’s perceived nuclear ambitions has arrived. Partly because of acceleration of some of Iran’s WMD programs, particularly its nuclear program, President Bush, in his January 29, 2002 State of the Union message, labeled Iran part of an “axis of evil” along with Iraq and North Korea. Despite professions that WMD is inconsistent with Iran’s ideology, virtually all Iranian factions appear to agree on the utility of WMD, particularly the acquisition of a nuclear weapons capability, as a means of ending its perceived historic vulnerability to U.S. domination and a symbol of Iran as a major nation. "

"Largely with foreign help, Iran is becoming self sufficient in the production of ballistic missiles. DNI Negroponte testified on February 2, 2006 (discussed above) that Iran “already has the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the Middle East, and Tehran views its ballistic missiles as an integral part of its strategy to deter, and if necessary retaliate against, forces in the region, including U.S. forces.”(pic Chavez/Castro/Morales 2006)

Regime Change. Some U.S. officials believe that, whether or not Iran’s nuclear program can be curbed through diplomacy or economic sanctions, only an outright change of regime would reduce the threat posed by Iran. Those who advocate this policy believe that the regime — no matter which faction of it is in control — harbours ambitions fundamentally at odds with the United States and its values.

A useful chart on Page 44 shows the rather complicated Structure of the Iranian Government ( No, NO don't vote it just amuses me)
If you want the full text of the letter to George Bush from his Iranian friends you will find it here.Contileezza Rice says they will not be replying, which my Nanny used to say was very rude.... if you really want to, vote here.... only one each this IS a Democracy.