Trading With Iran Posted by Ilan Goldenberg

You'd think that if you were going to base your entire strategy for getting Iran to give up it's uranium enrichment program around sanctions you'd at the very least, ya know, sanction them.  But in a surprising and odd development it turns out that U.S. trade with Iran has increased ten-fold over the past eight years. 

U.S. exports to Iran grew more than tenfold during President Bush's years in office even as he accused Iran of nuclear ambitions and helping terrorists. America sent more cigarettes to Iran — at least $158 million worth under Bush — than any other products.

Other surprising shipments to Iran during the Bush administration: brassieres, bull semen, cosmetics, fur clothing, sculptures, perfume, musical instruments and possibly even weapons.

Now, in my view sanctions alone do not have a huge impact in changing a regime's behavior.  And these numbers are small by comparison to U.S. standards (Although as the Center for Arms Controls and Non-Proliferation points out Iran is also pretty small by U.S. standards).  If you are going to spend five years stubbornly bumping your head up against a wall and refuse to engage in direct talks.  Then insist that somehow economic pressure alone will bring the Iranians to the table and cause them to give up their enrichment program.  If you are going to pursue that policy then you could at least try to actually follow through.

Then again, this could be part of a sophisticated Neocon regime change policy.  Send the Iranians cigarettes and bull semen (which yes is used for making cattle.  I didn't know.  But apparently it's a big industry).  Then kill off the regime with lung cancer and too much red meat.  I guess all the brassieres and perfume is to corrupt the pure virtues of the Islamic Republic.   But I don't really understand how the weapons fit into this equation...

Comments

[herefast123]

acer aspire 1600 battery

[herefast123]

toshiba pa2510ur battery
toshiba pa3010u battery

[Hellgate London Palladium]

Welcome to our game world, my friend asks me to buy some Hellgate London gold . I do not know how to use the Hellgate gold ; my friend tells me how to use. I will thank for my friends bringing me in this world. I am not regret to buy buy Hellgate Palladium . We all love game, if you want to play it, please cheap hellgate gold and join us. Please do not hesitate to have game.

[perfumes for men]

really a nice post i have added your blog to my watch list and i just want to tell you regarding your blog moderation there are some irrelivents comments on your blog about cheap wow .

[buy AO credits]

When you have Anarchy credits, you will become strong. With Anarchy Online credits, you can upgrade and admire by others. You can use Anarchy gold to start the journey of the world. So, do not hesitate, let us move to buy AO credits

[shadow of legend Gold]

Welcome to our shadow of legend Gold center. We can provide all what you want if you want. Our sol gold are specialized, professional and reliable website

[dd]

I hope i can get twelve sky Gold in low price,
Yesterday i want to buy 12sky gold for my friend.

[aion gold]

I always can get some aion gold from my friends. I buy aion kina with my spare money.

[Replica Gucci Handbags]

I buy aion kina with my spare money.

[Gucci Ring]

I always can get some aion gold from my friends. I buy aion kina with my spare money.

[Gucci Ring]

If you have a TypeKey or TypePad account, please Sign In

You are currently signed in as (nobody). Sign Out

[luxury watches]

I am so with you,rolex watch
luxury watch

[k247br]

Known as replica chanel replica chanel
Los Angeles' "Ambassador of replica gucci replica gucci
Boogie Funk," D?m-Funk represents the citizens of the Funkmosphere. Headquartered in replica hermes replica hermes
the Leimert Park section of L.A., D?m (pronounced: dame) has been dedicated over the last few years to cultivating a musical renaissance replica louis vuitton replica louis vuitton
rooted in the early-'80s styles known discount handbags discount handbags
as Boogie, Modern designer handbags designer handbags
Soul and Electro-Funk.

[cheap jerseys]

Great article, I think you covered everything there. . . I would say freelancing is quite hard

especially if you are not used to working on your own, can be quite hard to motivate yourself also. . .

we all know what it is like to stare at the monitor.

[wholesale NFL jerseys]

We appreciate you ones own write-up. This subject matter pursuits i am quite definitely and additionally thanks to you will, I uncovered latest elements. Previously worth it to read. Answers.

[seo-vancouver]

It is economic pressure alone will bring the Iranians wealth.

[jerseys]

so lucky to read your post, i will read your post time to time,thank you!

[Beats by dre]

edit: Scott, Am I understanding this correctly? You seem to say that even if we’d started drilling in ANWAR 10 years ago, we wouldn’t be able to process the crude now because of the lack of processing plants.

[Darren McFadden Jersey]

Thanks to a brilliant effort in publishing your article. One can be more informative as this. There are many things I can know only after reading your wonderful article.

[Wholesale NFL jerseys]

Thank you for sharing with us. The content is very good and helpful for me, I learn and know more about it.

[Cheap New ERA HATS]

thanks nice post,and thanks sharing!!!!

[Raiders Jersey]

The article is very good, I like it very much.Here I learned a lot, then I will pay more attention to you.

[Jordon shoes 2011]

Now, do you really want it, let's go and get running shoes!!!!! As long as you are out of your hands, you can get nike free. Are you moving? Have to fight, because I know in the end it's worthwhile, now its time for us to make our mind to buy it, it really it's worth it.

[lewis]

Nice pearl at http://www.onepearls.com

[escort bayan ankara]

thnk you for sahring

[escort bayan]

ver nice blog

[cherry]

ugg sale,Sie können potenziell Verbesserung und alle zu leicht überwachen, um in Ihre Routine zu installieren.Auch diese verkehrsreichsten Menschen, ich, Blick in die mindestens dreißig Minuten mit Telly an einem Tag weiß, jetzt möglicherweise einen sich fit halten, Gewicht-Verlust-Programm zusammenführen kann während der Verwendung der Bühne Telly!Zum Thema der elliptischen Fitnessgeräte--hohe Qualität zahlen! Selten immer eine Schneide sind reduzieren, quietschende, low-cost-Auswahl; Sie bereitet alle Kleider-Wandhalterung in Ihrem Lebensraum zu werden! Erschwingliche Ellipsentrainer geben nicht wahrscheinlich die flüssige Aktion ermöglicht es gelegentlich Sinn ruckartig.Eine Top-Qualität elliptische Bewegung Maschine hätte "natürliche" kommen zu fühlen, während Sie unterwegs sind.Premium-Qualität-elliptische Gesundheit-Maschinen befindet sich mit seriösen Sites und mehrere Training bei home Equipment-Shops, aber ich habe noch eine, die wir für nur eine Abteilung halt gerne zu entdecken.Suchen Sie nur Demo-Zyklen, volle Zufriedenheit gewährleistet, zusätzlich zu den Garantien.Wie könnte Sie Reiten eine elliptische Bewegung-Maschine Weightloss System integrieren? Ich möchte zu bieten, dass Sie eine Handvoll Empfehlungen berücksichtigen, beraten von Ihrem Arzt zusammen mit verstehen, dass dies beschränkt.