Over the past few years one of the most hostile countries in America’s eyes was Iran and rightfully so. Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spent much of his presidency making enemies with the U.S and making sure everyone knew about it. Of the many arguments and worries that existed between the two countries, the issue of Iran building nuclear weapons was by far the most important. Ahmadinejad made it clear that he wasn’t going to halt the process of enriching Uranium and was ready to meet any opposition head on. The idea of a leader, who many may argue, was borderline insane cultivating the ability to create nuclear weapons created a sense of worry amongst a number of nations.
However, after getting used to years of worry it seems we just may have reached the light at the end of the tunnel. This light’s name is Hassan Rouhani and as the new president of Iran he is promising a totally different method of leadership from his predecessor. Rouhani has exclaimed to the world that he is ready and willing to disband any nuclear weapon related project and that these types of weapons have no place in his nation. Rouhani in turn ask that the UN and the United States begin to take more diplomatic approaches with his country. This is only fair. If Rouhani holds up his end of the bargain it would be in our nation’s best interests to start mending relations with Iran and this starts through removing, what Rouhani has described as, “harsh sanctions” imposed by the UN. There are those out there who are taking the new president’s words with a grain of salt and that is to be expected. This skepticism should be limited, though, and Iran should be given a chance to stick to their word. If matters are handled this way it will send a message to other nations that, not only was Iran true to its promises, but also that the U.S knows how to handle international matters in other ways than attacking a country. A peaceable end to Iran’s nuclear weapons program will resonate throughout the world much stronger than a violent end would.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24235932
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/09/23/iran-rouhani-obama-un-nuclear-weapons-column/2857865/
Iran and the United States have a long history of being skeptical of one another. These two countries have different allies and different ideas regarding diplomacy. The heated disputes and animosity between Iran and Israel have played a big part in this frail relationship the United States has with Iran. Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad further strained the relationship between these two countries. And the fact that Iran began building nuclear weapons got the world’s attention.
Many countries including the United States are uncomfortable with Iran enriching Uranium because there was no telling what Iran would do with nuclear weapons. Syria abused chemical weapons and diplomats around the world fear that Iran might follow in Syria’s footsteps if they are allowed to continue moving forward with the nuclear weapon project. Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani promising a different method of leadership is promising but I am not surprised at the skepticism his promise received either. If President Rouhani does in fact disband the nuclear weapon project, then I agree with you that the United States should hold up its end of the bargain and take a more diplomatic stand with Iran. However, I believe that the sanctions were warranted. Although I hope the relationship between theses two countries improves, I am hesitant to say that the improvement will come soon.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, how we will miss you, or not. Probably not. Though he will be remembered for his hilariously disastrous rants against Israel and the United States, and his jaw-dropping denial of the Holocaust, it’s hard to imagine someone else representing Iran at the UN General Assembly. But alas, Iran has elected a new President. Out with the old and in with the new. The new sound bites that have been released from President Rouhani do sound promising regarding a change in Iran’s stance on many issues. The question now is whether this is just clever rhetoric, or a diplomatic doctrine substitution. Just last week, President Rouhani tweeted to his Jewish citizens wishing them a happy high holiday. Two points for Twitter, yet again changing the world one tweet at a time. First the Arab Spring and now possibly the coming out party for Iran as a friendly, moderate country, with claims of nuclear development for civil purposes only! Sounds great, but don’t drink the kool-aid too quick, consistency is key, and new administrations fluctuate quicker than the wind.