The focal points of the 68th session of U.N. General Assembly were Syrian chemical weapons and the possible diplomatic breakthrough between U.S. and Iran. Both cases could turn into positive developments for most of the invested groups in the negotiations. Especially, the possible diplomatic breakthrough with Iran could be a great achievement of the second term Obama Presidency in foreign policy. The evolving events and history will prove that Obama's basic world-view has been the right one. The President's world view is a positive and inclusive one coming from understanding the sentiment of the downtrodden but basically proud people and countries. His view is not cynical or aggressively hegemonic. The question is how to balance this with the leadership with muscles.
photo by UN News Service
The outcome of the coming negotiations between Presidents Obama and Rouhani hinges on Iran's intention on nuclear weapons. There are hardliners in Iran who insist on having the nuclear weapons, and there are hardliners in U.S. who insist on no nuclear weapons, period. It could be a very delicate and nuanced negotiations with many caveats. There are indications from the previous negotiations with Europeans that Iran might suggest no intentions for nuclear weapons. In this context, the main question of the coming negotiations is how much trust there is or the possibility of a clear means of verification of the absence nuclear weapons program.
photo by UN News Service
Iranian political systems and power bases are complicated and multilayered with many different views. U.S., also, has many different strong voices when it comes to the Middle East, Israel, and Iran. Both Presidents have their hands full, but they have a great chance to achieve significant legacy. Because business as usual is no longer acceptable.
The desire to have the nuclear weapons is very strong in the countries with bad memories of unfair treatments in the hands of stronger(colonial) powers. There is deep mistrust of the dominating powers of their true intentions. The memories of Mohammad Mossadegh and Iran-Iraq war are still strong among Islamic revolutionaries in power now. The desire for nuclear weapons are very real and strong.
photo by UN News Service
In U.S. and among its allies, there are some with a great suspicion of Iran's motives. They'll never trust what Iran may say on their nuclear programs.
The larger question for humanity is to have or not to have the nuclear weapons, at all. The nuclear- weapons-free-world would be a very nice place to live. But as long as the human nature remains the way it is, it would be naive to think that it is a possibility. The human history has been the perpetual quest for more lethal and powerful weapons. In spite of all this, there is hoping that some breakthroughs are realized, and the Middle East becomes a little more stable place. It is about time the Presidents Obama and Routani show some real leadership and statesmanship. It is going to be very interesting to observe how the dialogue progresses.
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