Rapid Travel Chai

On my mind: I don’t see why Iran should be our default enemy. I don’t question Iran’s support for terrorism. If we consider the biggest threat as the terrorism hitting UK and Europe, the US in 9/11, and indeed in Iran today, that is not coming from Iran.

If the priority is not combating global terrorism, but rather the security of Israel, I am less convinced that Iran is the key threat, short-term or long-term, than the people who presumably know more than I. ‘Enemy of my enemy’ that relies on feckless regimes seems a tenuous hook to hang one’s security.

Why Qatar is in the naughty corner seems as good an attempt as any to try to explain the tangle of this week’s events.

Ask world travelers about their favorite countries and Iran comes up again and again for the extraordinary hospitality of the people and their rich culture. Look at human rights, women’s rights, education, treatment of foreigners and minorities, and on and on, and Iran does not come out so unfavorably compared to its regional adversaries.

To not find peaceful ways to bring Iran back into the fold of a functional world order is a collective failure. Fumblingly taking sides in this internecine struggle is recklessly gambling with many lives.

Hacks:

• AMEX Membership Rewards cheat sheet.
• AMEX Membership Rewards questions answered.
• Maximizing the Merrill + card 50,000 point signon bonus.

Travels:

• IHG to launch midscale brand.
• Delta launches new flight between Seoul-Incheon and Atlanta.
• Launch of shuttle bus service between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Changi Airport.

Events:

• Australian politics is open to foreign cash, and China has much to gain.
• The network that remains at the heart of UK Islamist extremism.
• Arctic stronghold of world’s seeds flooded after permafrost melts.

Ideas:

• The online radicalization we’re not talking about.
• How do you count without numbers?
• Take a page out of Steve Jobs’ book and switch to walking meetings.