Iran: Some Welcome Words of Wisdom
Foreign policy has consumed this administration. Unfortunately, foreign policy for this administration means only war and the threat of war. This is why much of the world breathed a sigh of relief when the president finally announced that there would be talks with Syria and Iran over stabilizing Iraq. These talk should have taken place years ago, but this is another case of better late than never, especially since only two weeks ago the White House made it clear it had no intentions of talking to to either over anything.
To be honest, Iran hasn't made this any easier. Its president has made it a point to push hard against the US and its current leadership over the issue of nuclear power/weaponry. The rhetoric of both sides has been so out of hand that, finally, E'etemad, the state controlled Farsi news outlet came out with an editorial that should be welcomed by all of us, including the White House. I am quoting a huge section of the editorial, but I urge that the entire editorial be read and considered by everyone, including our State Department.
Given the acknowledgement of error on the part of high-ranking White House officials, including Secretary of State Rice, especially in regard to U.S. policies toward Tehran; and regardless of what has caused the recent change in language of U.S. officials toward Iran; a precarious but clear message is being conveyed: There is now an opening for both sides to bring their diplomatic skills to bear at the negotiating table, and an opportunity to melt the ice that has so paralyzed our relations over recent decades.
...not all elements and forces that affect relations between Iran and America originate from within these two countries. Some forces such as the Zionist regime and Zionist lobby - whose influence permeates to the very highest levels of American power - even find it in their interests to promote a worsening of U.S.-Iran relations.
Especially in recent years, because of the failure to properly manage the situation, relations have been affected by what could be called "political excitement," as opposed to what is needed, which is "political wisdom."
Politics must deal with real phenomena. Apart from general definitions and concepts, the foreign policy of each country is usually shaped within a framework called national interests. The foreign policies of a nation must be formulated and put in place by real actors with real – not imaginary – attributes and within an international environment where every actor involved has a clear definition of itself. The main point here is to know the facts and the extent of the other side’s influence and to understand the interests of both sides.
...So the most important task for policymakers is to institutionalize a framework within which relations can take place. The key issue here is that this framework be capable of flexibility concerning the actions of the other actor or actors. Under present circumstances, this is the most important piece of advice that needs to be heard by both American and Iranian leaders. They both should be called upon to turn toward cooperation.
I hope somebody in the administration reads the editorial.
To be honest, Iran hasn't made this any easier. Its president has made it a point to push hard against the US and its current leadership over the issue of nuclear power/weaponry. The rhetoric of both sides has been so out of hand that, finally, E'etemad, the state controlled Farsi news outlet came out with an editorial that should be welcomed by all of us, including the White House. I am quoting a huge section of the editorial, but I urge that the entire editorial be read and considered by everyone, including our State Department.
Given the acknowledgement of error on the part of high-ranking White House officials, including Secretary of State Rice, especially in regard to U.S. policies toward Tehran; and regardless of what has caused the recent change in language of U.S. officials toward Iran; a precarious but clear message is being conveyed: There is now an opening for both sides to bring their diplomatic skills to bear at the negotiating table, and an opportunity to melt the ice that has so paralyzed our relations over recent decades.
...not all elements and forces that affect relations between Iran and America originate from within these two countries. Some forces such as the Zionist regime and Zionist lobby - whose influence permeates to the very highest levels of American power - even find it in their interests to promote a worsening of U.S.-Iran relations.
Especially in recent years, because of the failure to properly manage the situation, relations have been affected by what could be called "political excitement," as opposed to what is needed, which is "political wisdom."
Politics must deal with real phenomena. Apart from general definitions and concepts, the foreign policy of each country is usually shaped within a framework called national interests. The foreign policies of a nation must be formulated and put in place by real actors with real – not imaginary – attributes and within an international environment where every actor involved has a clear definition of itself. The main point here is to know the facts and the extent of the other side’s influence and to understand the interests of both sides.
...So the most important task for policymakers is to institutionalize a framework within which relations can take place. The key issue here is that this framework be capable of flexibility concerning the actions of the other actor or actors. Under present circumstances, this is the most important piece of advice that needs to be heard by both American and Iranian leaders. They both should be called upon to turn toward cooperation.
I hope somebody in the administration reads the editorial.
Labels: Iran
posted by Diane at 1:00 PM
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