02-08-2015, 12:26 PM
Nothing changes if the US is unwilling to listen, talk, and negotiate (where prudent) with Iran. On the other hand, if we listen, talk, and negotiate for reduced nuclear enrichment, progress can be made.
Iran wants economic sanctions from the US and other western countries lifted and seized oil revenues turned over. They have financial incentives to negotiate. There are several countries involved in the deal, all requiring that Iran's nuclear facilities be regularly monitored by UN inspectors. The lifting of sanctions and release of revenues would be tied to the inspection verifications and there would be penalties invoked if Iran violates the agreement.
If Obama does nothing and holds on to decades-old beefs, Iran keeps getting closer to nuclear bombing capabilities but loses global revenue opportunities. If, instead, the US and the other involved countries negotiate a smart deal with solid check-points, thereby having better access to Iran's nuclear enrichment program and bombing capabilities, the US and its allies (including Israel) benefits, as does Iran. The time is right for change, it can only be positive. In my opinion.
Of course, we succeeded in such negotiation with Iraq when Hussein was head of state. But, when the US and its allies were justifiably on-board to retaliate against those who attacked America on 9 / 11, the Bush administration seized the opportunity to make false claims that Hussein was involved with the al-Qaeda operatives who facilitated the attack and that he was stockpiling WMDs. In so doing, the US government was able to con some of the American public and the US's allies into supporting the decimation of Hussein and invasion of Iraq, despite the fact that Hussein swore up and down that he did not have Weapons of Mass Destruction and UN inspectors confirmed his claims. That's not my opinion, that's a verified and documented fact.
So, in my eyes, recent history gives the Iranians as much or more reason to distrust the US as we have to distrust them. Maybe we can move past that and improve the antagonistic and threatening relationship. We have much to gain from a more cooperative relationship with Tehran and little to lose if it falls apart.
Iran wants economic sanctions from the US and other western countries lifted and seized oil revenues turned over. They have financial incentives to negotiate. There are several countries involved in the deal, all requiring that Iran's nuclear facilities be regularly monitored by UN inspectors. The lifting of sanctions and release of revenues would be tied to the inspection verifications and there would be penalties invoked if Iran violates the agreement.
If Obama does nothing and holds on to decades-old beefs, Iran keeps getting closer to nuclear bombing capabilities but loses global revenue opportunities. If, instead, the US and the other involved countries negotiate a smart deal with solid check-points, thereby having better access to Iran's nuclear enrichment program and bombing capabilities, the US and its allies (including Israel) benefits, as does Iran. The time is right for change, it can only be positive. In my opinion.
Of course, we succeeded in such negotiation with Iraq when Hussein was head of state. But, when the US and its allies were justifiably on-board to retaliate against those who attacked America on 9 / 11, the Bush administration seized the opportunity to make false claims that Hussein was involved with the al-Qaeda operatives who facilitated the attack and that he was stockpiling WMDs. In so doing, the US government was able to con some of the American public and the US's allies into supporting the decimation of Hussein and invasion of Iraq, despite the fact that Hussein swore up and down that he did not have Weapons of Mass Destruction and UN inspectors confirmed his claims. That's not my opinion, that's a verified and documented fact.
So, in my eyes, recent history gives the Iranians as much or more reason to distrust the US as we have to distrust them. Maybe we can move past that and improve the antagonistic and threatening relationship. We have much to gain from a more cooperative relationship with Tehran and little to lose if it falls apart.