A Nuclear Iran and My Red Line

I think that Iran should be allowed to pursue nuclear technology and nuclear weapons, because like the Iranian youth said in Jared Cohen's book, so many other countries have nuclear capabilities and nuclear weapons; the U.S. is one of them. That being said, who are we to deny another country that right? Granted that the U.S. is part of the UN Security Council it is partly our duty; however, that duty is to ensure safety. Yes, Iran has terrorist groups, but so do many other countries, yet Iran is one of only a few countries who has attacked us at home. I think that this is what's causing such a large problem. Had the events of 9/11 never occurred, I feel like this would be a non-issue.

When it comes to how nuclear capabilities and weapons will affect the country and the Iranian government, I think that, although it's not ideal because it would strengthen the regime, it's up to the people. I do understand that it is very hard for the people to be involved in government outside of the voting process, which is questionable in itself, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything they could do. We already see the way that technology is allowing the youth to rebel against the government, and once the youth are the ones in power, which will happen, things are going to start changing quite drastically. So, in this way, the people will have their say and the decision, I believe, should ultimately be theirs.

As for what I would consider my red line, it's hard to say. I don't know if I would consider nuclear weapons or capabilities a red line or if I would consider the closing of the Strait of Hormuz a red line. I don't think there's cause to take action against Iran just because they acquire nuclear capabilities or weapons. I also don't think closing the Strait of Hormuz is reason to take action. I do understand that the Strait of Hormuz provides 1/4 of the world's oil, but the closing of the Strait of Hormuz would be to upset the world. If we show how angry and desperate we are over this issue, Iran will gain the upper hand; they will be the puppeteer, we the puppets. Because of this, I'm not sure what issue I would exactly consider to be the red line and I'm not sure what a good enough reason is to take actions against Iran.

What Cyberspace Means

Technology, especially in the hands of the Iranian youth, will, in my opinion, completely change Iranian policy and perspectives. As the older generation disappears, perspectives and policies will greatly be formed through today's youth. The youth in Iran today are free-thinking, but often times disagree with their government just to disagree. I think that technology will start to allow access to a myriad of information as the youth begins to take over, allowing the Iranian people to make more informed decisions about how they should go about enforcing policy which in turn will affect perspectives. Right now, the information that the Iranian people can access is very limited so as the gates to technology begin to open, so will the minds of the Iranian people.

Technology is constantly changing world policies and perspectives. Much of the information that we have today relies in one way or another on technology, whether it be the technology used to collect and observe data or the email used to share the data or the newspaper article reporting the data. Our lives are being shaped by technology and being affected by it as I write this post in response to the blog prompt. Internet usage around the world has sky rocketed as seen in the two charts. Technological advancement has created such a large boom that it is practically the central focus of our lives. All technologies from weapons advancement to computers to music devices to the internet have drastically shaped, and continue to shape, our policies and perspectives.

After learning about Iran's attempt to stunt, or limit, the youth's technology use, it makes me drastically rethink what I do on the internet. Although we live in the United States of America, our government has access to everything that we put on the internet. It also makes me value the freedom that we have. So much of our lives are centered around technology, especially the internet, that it would be hard in the United States to be restricted from such a vital part of our lives. Not to say that it is vital as in survival, but vital to daily activities which are prevalent in our lives.