What Obama must do now in Iran

A recent piece in the Christian Science Monitor by Trita Parsi of the Ploughshares-funded National Iranian American Council offered President Obama advice on Iran. Parsi commented that “the president's approach has paved the way for the current stand-off in Iran and that he is supported by those seeking their rights in Iran.” While supporting Obama’s refusal to support one candidate over another, however, he urged condemnation of violent reprisals: “Protesters and political leaders I've spoken to in Iran want the US to speak out forcefully against the government's human rights abuses and condemn the violence.”  Parsi added, “Few in the US debate have taken note that Obama's pro-engagement, anti-confrontation approach may have directly contributed to the developments in Iran.”