Is Iran, by itself, a threat to the U.S and the West?

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by spence

So how would you make it better?

Better in what way and for whom? Better for the U.S.? Be strong and back it up. Enforce "red lines" or don't have them. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Don't break promises. Build confidence, in yourself and in others. Bolster our allies confidence that they can depend on us walking our talk. Use our influence to persuade the Europeans and Atlantic rim allies that times are dangerous and they must strengthen their military and unite in standing firm on their values. And to not back down, one inch, from Russian aggression against those who wish to join them--i.e., Ukraine. And to encourage their people to love and defend their culture against those from within and those who wish them harm from without. Use the lessons of history. Nations who became weak and corrupt from within became victims to aggression from those who did not fear them. Nations who wished to maintain or expand, developed military strength and virtue (from middle English vertu, meaning strength or manliness, with excellence, courage, morality and integrity.) A strong, consistent, incorruptible character facing bullies whose populace admire us more than their own governments, would make our enemies fear not only us, but their own people, and make them not only easily defeatable, but susceptible for crumbling from within.

We should become more Reaganesque in the face of those who wish us harm. And we should quit throwing money away at the federal level on things that the central government was not meant to control, driving it into unsustainable debt, and spend more on military power as it was intended for it to control. And we should unleash the private economy by massively reducing federal regulations. We should return to our people the belief that they have the major say in government by giving them the confidence that their votes in state elections are allowed to stand and determine policy instead of the federal government fighting against those elections and having politically appointed judges overturning the will of the people and their vote on things which were meant to be state and individual prerogative, not federal domain. And the federal representatives who run on the promises that get them elected should fulfill those promises to show the people that they actually do represent them and are their servants, not their masters. Return power to the people which the federal government has stolen from them, thus instilling in them the pride, interest, motivation, and virtue to contribute to the strength of the country rather than being passive dependents.

That would be a start.

Caveat, must have a chance of succeeding.

Succeed in what way and for whom? Success for us is maintaining, or getting back, our strength and freedom. What success for Iran would be, probably, is what they may well get from the "negotiations." Maybe something as paltry and potentially destructive, to them and the world, as getting nuclear weapons.