In 1979, Iranian revolutionaries caused a substantial ruckus that drew the United States’ collective ire. Nearly three decades earlier, President Eisenhower joined the British efforts (in hot pursuit of oil) to overthrow Iran’s first democratically-elected government. In what would become America’s global tradition of "spreading democracy," this coup d’état spawned two decades of Iranians oppressed by a US-installed despot. Both nations have shared a mutual grudge since 1979, when those Iranian revolutionaries, themselves irked, finally deposed the American puppet.
This beef is not unlike that thawed between Richard Nixon and China's Chairman Mao in 1972. After 9/11, when Iran’s reformist President offered America his hand, Bush had a chance to follow some of Nixon’s more adroit footsteps by engaging with Iran. Unfortunately, Bush instead chose to take the "I am not a crook" path to celebrating Nixon’s legacy.
Today, Iran’s hardline president, perhaps in a sincere gesture but more likely as a cynical election ploy, is sending Barack Obama generous congratulations by letter. Before Obama responds, the new US President should strongly consider the following:
- On Countdown earlier this week, Thomas Friedman, despite being a tool, made the compelling remark that détente with Iran would open "ten new possibilities in the Mideast."
- Gratuitous image of Iranian food:
- According to Mohamed Elbaradei, engagement with Iran could help infuse some progress into the stale negotiations over Iranian nukes. As Elbaradei put it, "I have a lot of hope if that is the new policy."
- America has been crying wolf over Iranian nukes for well over a decade.
- The Iranian people, who themselves are worthy of immense respect, have enormous respect for Americans. What kind of message should we send them?
- Our current policy strengthens Iranian hardliners.
- Iran has the second largest Jewish population in the Middle East. Their Persian roots date back to the 6th Century (BC).
cross-posted on MYDD