Obama, in Move with Iran, Setting His Own Path

It is, in many ways, Barack Obama's most bold, distinctive move as President so far.

Obama, in recent days, has confirmed that his Adminstration will participate - along with five other countries - in talks with Iran about its nuclear program. The Obama Administration also has "plans to start reaching out to Iran on a one-to-one basis," US officials told the NY Times last week. The US has also agreed to a partial lifting of "a general ban on face-to-face talks between senior State Department officials and their Iranian counterparts," according to an April 8th "Political Intelligence," report in Boston.com.

The Obama Administration, in March, already invited Iran to join other talks among leaders of countries discussing ongoing challenges in Afghanistan.

The news last week that the US has agreed to join Iran at the table with Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China to discuss Iran's development of nuclear material follows other actions by the Obama Administration toward Iran that signal a radically new direction for US in its relations with Iran. The Bush Administration, in 2002 identified Iran as part of the "axis of evil" and kept a hostile approach (toward Iran) for eight years without ever trying to negotiate about anything.

Obama, as a presidential candidate, said he'd consider talking to Iran without pre-conditions. Now, he's doing it. In March, Obama sent a videotaped message to the Iranian people seeking a fresh start in US-Iran relations and stressing his interest in diplomacy and mutual respect.

Yes, it's possible this initiative with Iran will bring little or no concrete results.
This "opening" may start only a short-lived phase and be quickly forgotten if events unfold negatively. It's unlikely Iran will suddenly reverse course on developing its nuclear capacity, for instance. Iran will not suddenly start reaching agreements with the US or its allies.


However, I think the mere decision by Obama to start communicating with Iran is a big deal -- in several ways. First, US-Iranian relations have been bad for nearly 30 years, so, Obama's moves are unlikely to make things any worse on that score, but, beyond that, it appears Obama is trying to "change the equation" in the Middle East. At a moment when Israel is now threatening that it may be forced to take military action against Iran if Iran does not halt its nuclear ambitions, this is a very delicate moment. Obama, by entering the picture, is changing the dynamics, giving diplomacy with Iran a chance and muzzling Israel's aggressive impulses.

Consider how Benjamin Netanyahu, who just become Israel's new prime minister, has already chosen to express his view on what he wants from Obama in the most extreme, hyped fashion.

"The Obama presidency has two great missions: fixing the economy, and preventing Iran from gaining nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said in the Atlantic Monthly's March edition.

These and other rumblings from Israel make me even more pleased that Obama has taken his stand to talk to Iran.

We'll see how Obama interacts with Israel in the weeks and months ahead, but, I'd argue that his opening with Iran must be stirring a negative reaction inside Israel. How can Israeli leaders not be angry or disappointed by Obama's moves given their increasingly impatient, hostile tone toward Iran? Plus, if Israel were ever to decide to strike Iran, wouldn't the Israelis want and need the support of the US?

I think Obama has probably already taken considerable heat from Israel and its supporters for his overtures to Iran - and, I think he's showing some real leadership by charting his own course on this matter.

How many US Presidents - after only three months - have begun down a road that is this much at odds with Israel's position? It seems most Presidents in my life, except for Jimmy Carter, have "towed the line" by, generally, doing what Israel wants. Obama is challenging Israel more and showing he's willing and able to disagree with Israel.

Obama's moves with Iran represent an exception for his first three months as President. He is showing us his hand more on this. He's taking a new path that some see as controversial or ill-advised.

Remember: This is a new President who, remarkably, has kept his deliberations and reactions on policy topics quite private. He and his advisors have not revealed how Obama makes decisions or the role his temperment and inner biases play in his decisionmaking.

Yet, unlike with most issues, on Iran, Obama is sticking his neck out. He's taking a risk and he's trying to lead people in a new direction.

I applaud Obama's initiative with Iran. I realize fully that it may yield no striking results for quite a while. However, if nothing else, it has shown me that he's willing to assert himself, invite and deal with conflict and be able to withstand substantial pressure from opposing forces.

It would be helpful if members of Congress supported Obama's initiative, but, they are usually silent cowards when it comes to taking any stand that might upset the influence of the "Israeli Lobby."