The Reasons for the Necessity of US Interaction with Iran
Hossein Talebi
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Considering the recent international developments, the Obama administration has sought to play a more active role in this area. After the Europeans failed to reach an agreement with Iran over its nuclear programme, the Americans once again entered the scene and took the helm in order to show the European governments that only the United States has the ability to resolve international crises, disputes and differences. But the question is, what are the new motives of Washington for trying to settle the controversy over Iran’s nuclear programme whereas it had formerly intensified the rhetoric of war against Tehran and struggled to portray the Islamic Republic as a sponsor of terrorism by means of constructing amateurish and unlikely scenarios? The answer may be explained as follows:
1) Alleviating the strained international atmosphere: With regard to the developments that have unfolded in the international arena, reinforcing the current tense ambience poses a potential danger to the growth and development of the global economy. Not only does such an atmosphere affect the US and European economies and hampers any increase in investment, but it can also prevent these countries’ economic growth and development. Furthermore, such an ambience helps fuel inflation and unemployment in the European countries while reinvigorating the opposition of public opinion to warmongering statements. The current tense atmosphere would also allow deviant and misleading quarters to step up their political mischief. These setbacks can take place while on the other side Russia, China and India would be able to take advantage of the current situation to maintain their almost unprecedented rate of economic growth. And so on …
In those circumstances, even the Israeli regime would be in a position to use such an atmosphere to its own advantage. Ignoring its international obligations and closing its eyes to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as well as to the regulations of international law, Tel Aviv would be able to persist with violating the rights of Palestinians and it neighbouring countries while depicting itself as the major victim and covering up its internal problems and weaknesses with the help of Western countries. The Western governments’ military aid to Israel, including the provision of nuclear submarines by Germany, bunker-busting bombs and aircraft by the United States, as well as their increased financial assistance to this regime, particularly amidst the current economic crisis, could contribute to their domestic stability and continue to keep right-wing hardliners in those countries in power.
2) The experience of two unsuccessful wars: The United States has experienced two wars in the wider Middle East. According to prevailing assessments, the Americans have incurred huge costs, and indeed they have lost more than they have gained in these wars while the logic of war presupposes that the aggressor seeks to add to its gains and achievements by waging it. Therefore, such wars are not approved of by the people and the public opinion as they might drive the United States towards military and economic decline.
3) The upcoming US presidential elections: With regard to the intense competition between Republicans and Democrats, now President Obama is looking forward to securing a remarkable achievement in order to boost his chances of winning a second term in office. For the most part, the Republican candidates are employing the rhetoric of war and threatening Iran in their electoral campaigns, an approach which has been adopted largely due to the influence of Zionist lobbies in the US. However, Obama who has taken over the US presidency by virtue of his promises to sponsor global peace and also won the Nobel Peace Prize, cannot act in contradiction to his promises. Having eliminated the leader of Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, Obama is now after another accomplishment to guarantee his victory in the upcoming presidential elections.
4) Concerns about the Arab Spring developments: Washington’s another concern emanates from the future culmination of the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa. What course will these countries take? Contrary to what Americans conceive, the Arab Spring might not culminate in serving the interests of Western governments and their totalitarian Arab allies, forcing the former to reconsider their policies towards the latter. Supporting Salafi thoughts and currents in Afghanistan resulted in the creation of Al-Qaeda and the establishment of the Taliban in the country, which in turn endangered the US interests. Such a scenario might be repeated in the countries gripped by the Arab Spring, in which case the United States, which faced only a terrorist group in Afghanistan, will have to confront a group of Islamic countries that are likely to jeopardize its interests.
5) The economic crisis: As indicated earlier, the current economic crisis does not serve the interests of the United States and other Western countries. The existing tensions will only lead to a rise in the economic output of China, India and Russia, which itself is not conceived as being in the interests of Western states.
6) Boosting the bargaining power of Russia and China: Given the policies adopted by the Western governments, the bargaining power of China and Russia will increase, which can in turn accelerate the decline of American power and lead to an uneven and disharmonious race rivalry between the countries in question.
It seems that in order to steer clear of the unwanted consequences and prevent the increasing growth in the economic power of Eastern countries, the United States should refrain from enforcing double-standard policies in the international arena and thus compel the Zionist regime of Israel to sign the NPT on the one hand and reduce its cooperation with the totalitarian governments in the Middle East on the other. This is why negotiations between the two sides should be conducted in an atmosphere that both get out of the crisis with a win-win approach.
