Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Obama and Iran: the Clinton dilemma

By Emma White - posted Monday, 19 January 2009


On January 20, Arab and Iranian leaders in particular will breathe a collective sigh of relief as Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States of America.

The relationship between Washington and Tehran is now more important than ever as renewed fighting between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hamas in Gaza threatens to engulf the region in violence.

Obama’s presidency is a chance for the US to reshape its relationship with Iran away from the failed policies of the Bush administration and towards a new era of co-operation.

Advertisement

Sitting only a few feet away on the podium at the inauguration will be Obama’s new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who many fear will be a thorn in the side of Obama’s promise of a new dawn of American foreign policy in the Middle East.

Barack Obama’s November 2008 presidential election victory was greeted with enthusiasm by Middle East leaders.

Amr Moussa, the head of the Arab League, told reporters that Obama’s election to the presidency was a “watershed” moment for relations between the US and the Middle East, and that Obama must bring “a policy of honest brokership” to the region.

In a landmark gesture, the day after Obama was elected; Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent Obama a congratulatory letter urging him to reshape America’s relations with Iran.

"The great Iranian nation welcomes real, basic and fair changes in behaviour and policies" Ahmadinejad said.

Iran and the US severed diplomatic ties in 1979 after Islamic students held US diplomats hostage in Tehran during the Islamic revolution which ousted the US-backed regime of Shah Pahlavi.

Advertisement

After three decades of hostility, Obama’s presidency brings hope that relations between Washington and Tehran may finally be able to move to a more stable footing based on engagement not fear and mistrust.

A nuclear standoff sits at the heart of the division between Tehran and Washington.

Tehran protests that its nuclear power program is a peaceful one, compliant with the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. Washington officials, however, insist that Iran’s civilian capabilities can quickly be turned to military purposes.

  1. Pages:
  2. Page 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

13 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Emma White is a researcher in the Department of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of New South Wales. She holds a Masters of International Studies from UNSW. Emma speaks fluent French and has spent many years working and travelling abroad and has resided both in the United States and France.

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Emma White
Article Tools
Comment 13 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy