Obama should engage in multilateral talks with Iran

The National Iranian American Council held a discussion on “Can Obama Untangle the Iranian Challenge?” in which they discussed the past history of U.S.-Iranian relations and how the incoming administration could improve those relations. Three members of Congress, Chairman John Tierney (D-Mass.), Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Senator Thomas Carper (D-Del.), made appearances and gave speeches in support of the National Iranian American Council’s initiative.

Ambassador James Dobbins, former Assistant Secretary of State, spoke about how the Iranian government repeatedly tried to open up negotiations with the U.S. during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, but were given the cold shoulder by the Bush administration. Dobbins pointed out that the United States engages in discussions with other adversaries, but that they have made no effort to do so with Iran.

Iran doesn’t like the the “sticks and carrots” approach the U.S. practices, said Dr. Farideh Farhi of the University of Hawaii. The United States needs to accept that Iran’s foreign policy system is complex and that Iran’s political system is full of conflicts and competition between various factions, she said. Farhi continued, saying that the U.S. needs to stop thinking of Iran as if it is a unified body that can be controlled by a head.

Iran is “on a must-do list” for Obama, said Joseph Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund. Though Cirincione wanted to open up discussions, he emphasized that Obama should not rush into negotiations with Iran. Instead, he should wait to see the results 2009 elections in Iran. Cirincione also said the U.S. should engage in Iran multilaterally, pointing out the need for other countries in the Middle East to show respect for Iran. Holding multilateral talks was also necessary in the peace process for Israel and Palestine. “Not involving Iran guarantees failure” in the Israel-Palestine conflict, said Cirincione.