[chasil]

I have lived with this violence all of my life. I was a fresh teen in the Carter hostage crisis.

I know Eisenhower's role in starting it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d'%C3%A9tat

There is nothing better that could happen to Iran than to manufacture critical products of such value that global fear of their loss gives them a shield as well.

This is entirely within their capability.

[bigyabai]

> There is nothing better that could happen to Iran

"Nothing"? Are you being serious?

Iran's entire modern history is defined by colonial exploitation for their material wealth, and you think that aligning them with their greatest oppressor would stop the violence? I'm in awe.

[chasil]

If you find something that binds you inextricably with the global economy, then you have power.

Oil is not that thing.

The neon from Odessa and Mariopol was obviously not that thing.

The quartz from North Carolina appears to be an example of that thing. Not absolutely irreplaceable, but inconvenient in the extreme.

Is such a thing found in Iran? If so, that is an alternate path.

That can be people, instead of a raw material.