July 15, 2013

US-Iran Relations: Overcoming a Legacy of Mistrust


Brief comment: As you know, the brouhaha about the Iranian nuclear program is much ado about nothing. Obsessing about this one issue is stupid and counter-productive to peace. It is a symptom of the insane relations between America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Pressing on this point is meant to serve as a wedge to stop the progression of the peace talks and the restoration of a normal and healthy relationship between the two countries.

Mister Netanyahu can say Iran is building a bomb until he turns blue in the face, it still doesn't change the reality that Iran is not building a bomb---for strategic and religious reasons. It almost seems like Mister Netanyahu wants Iran to have the bomb the way he goes on and on about it. Who knows, he might slip one of his 400 bombs under a turban the next time he's in Tehran. If getting the bomb will make this joker shut up and go away then Iran should get it.

Video Title: US-Iran Relations: Overcoming a Legacy of Mistrust. Source: Asia Society. Date Published: February 21, 2013. Description:
NEW YORK, February 20, 2013 — Iran's highest-ranking official in the United States, Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaee, and former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering discuss breaking the nuclear impasse and U.S.-Iran relations.
"We are at an important moment. Iran and the United States have been separated by over thirty years of mistrust and misunderstanding. And it is serious. There has been much talk of war, much inflammatory talk of war. And I believe it is a serious mistake. It's a serious mistake not to talk to people from whom we are estranged. And it is a serious mistake to believe that military force can solve diplomatic problems, as we have found out most recently in Iraq." - Thomas R. Pickering, "a retired United States ambassador. Among his many diplomatic appointments, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1989 to 1992," (Wikipedia).