2008 Woodie Awards
NYT best selling author to speak on U.S. foreign policy with Iran
Abigail Crocker and Alex Wolff
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News
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Kinzer, a former foreign correspondent for more than 20 years with the New York Times, will discuss the United States' current relations with Iran in his speech entitled, "The Folly of Attacking Iran: A Discussion with Stephen Kinzer." The speech is sponsored by the UNH Peace and Justice League and the New Hampshire Peace Action.
In his speech, Kinzer will address major topics of foreign affairs in Iran, and express his views on why the United States should not attack the eastern neighbor of Iraq.
"Despite the fact that the U.S. is still mired in Iraq, and the conclusion of the recent National Intelligence Estimate that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear weapons program, the prospect of an American attack on Iran during the next months is still real. Such an attack would have terrible consequences," said Kinzer.
Kinzer believes that these consequences would include turning the large pro-American population against us, strengthening the repressive government of the Iranian President and sparking a considerable number of additional problems in the Middle East.
Matt Henry, junior and Peace and Justice League (PJL) member, thinks the campus, as well as the general public, should be informed about issues surrounding the potential war with Iran. Henry said that Kinzer is extremely well-versed on the topic and that the league jumped on the chance to include Kinzer on the MUB's bill of events. The message of anti-war fits perfectly with the Peace and Justice League's mission statement.
"It's an important issue. [Kinzer] has written for The New York Times and has been all over the world. He knows what he's talking about," said Henry.
On attacking Iran, Kinzer also believes it "would trigger a new wave of anti-Americanism around the world," and might give Iran "an incentive to cooperate with terrorists and other anti-American militants."
Kinzer blames the United States for these troubles, noting that in 1953 the country overthrew the only truly democratic government that has ever existed in Iran, believes it is time to right the ship.
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