Ahmadinejad’s victory challenges US policy

• Source: Global Times
• [00:26 June 16 2009]
• Comments

By Tang Zhichao

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected in a resounding victory in the country’s 10th presidential election on June 12, posing a challenge to the US’ new approach to Iran.

Right after US President Barack Obama assumed office, his administration undertook a thorough evaluation of the Iran issue. Obama’s Iran policy has taken shape; implementation was on hold though until after the presidential election.

The new policy abandons the goal of “regime change” in Iran and focuses on holding a tough-minded, direct and unconditional dialogue with Iran. Although calling Iran one of the biggest challenges to the US, President Obama emphasized that “policies that depend on threats and surrogates to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions are failing.”

The new policy aims at ending Iran’s nuclear program, as Obama is worried that a nuclear-armed Iran could spark an arms race in the Middle East and deepen the threat to Israel and the US.

In addition, the new policy also stresses multilateral diplomacy featuring economic pressure coupled with reciprocation.

Obama cites the needs for tough-minded diplomacy. “Our diplomacy should aim to raise the cost for Iran of continuing its nuclear program by applying tougher sanctions and increasing pressure from its key trading partners.” But he also adds “if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.”

Compared with the tough policy under the Bush administration, Obama’s new Iran policy involves many changes as well as some positive gestures.

In return, Iran also has given positive responses. Ahmadinejad sent his congratulations on Obama’s election last year. But currently Ahmadinejad still holds a suspicious attitude, thinking Obama’s new policy is simply a tactical adjustment, rather than a real strategic change.

Now caught in the financial crisis and seeking to promote his new approach to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Obama will face a more confident Ahmadinejad seeking a higher price for negotiations.

Early in April, Ahmadinejad stressed in an interview with ABC that Iran was to make adjustments to its nuclear negotiation proposal. The changes in the international situation during one year have put many new issues on the agenda.

At this stage the possibility of Ahmadinejad making concessions on Iran’s nuclear issue, especially the enriching of uranium, is minimal.

A US intelligence agency has reported that Iran’s current technology and industrial capacity make it capable of producing nuclear weapons.

Ahmadinejad has also asked for substantial measures from Washington rather than empty talk.

Obama himself commented that it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust between the two nations overnight.

As to the Iran election results, Obama said he was hopeful the robust debate taking place in the presidential election would advance his efforts to engage Iran in new ways.

The author is director of the Middle East Research Office at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. This article was translated by Chen Fangya