Both Washington and Tehran declared that US President Barack Obama is unlikely to meet with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly this year. The US media had hyped the possibility that the two heads would hold historic meetings but such ecstasy lasted only a couple of days.
Nevertheless, it is indeed possible that the US and Iran are considering improving their relations and it is worth our attention.
Iran serves as a pillar in Middle East geopolitics. Since its confrontation with the US plays a decisive role in regional politics, the White House has formulated most of its Middle East policies to contain Iran. The possible military strike against Syria is viewed by many as a measure to prevent Iran from interfering more in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Therefore, the whole geopolitical situation will witness an interesting adaptation if the US and Iran can compromise.
There is no denying that they once enjoyed a honeymoon relationship but have been in an abyss of hostility for so long that both of them are desperate to improve their bilateral ties. Tehran will probably be able to get rid of international sanctions only if it improves relations with the US, which, on the other hand, is desperate to remove its attention and strength from the Middle East given its thorny domestic problems and "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Nonetheless, US-Iranian confrontation has exerted a negative influence on a whole generation in both nations. Thus, even if the state heads find common interests of reconciliation and are determined to put ahead the process, there will be enormous twists and turns in their diplomatic efforts.
It is nearly impossible that the US and Iran will become friends in the foreseeable future due to a series of problems including ideological differences and the latter's conflict with Israel. Washington will never become an intimate friend of major Islamic countries because turmoil and instability within the region help maintain its presence there.
Some hold that many countries will prevent US-Iran relations from getting better. China is one of those. However, China will be happy to see their ties improved. Despite the fact that Iran has restrained US power to a certain degree, its nuclear issue and the risk of war with the US have sabotaged China's interests. Besides, the Chinese government does not regard its economic cooperation with Tehran as a zero-sum game.
With a high degree of independence and self-respect, Iran is irreplaceable in the Middle East and therefore no country possesses the power to contain it.
On the road to becoming a global power, China should take its strength and common interests as key instruments of diplomacy, separate from traditional friendship, and have confidence in its bilateral ties with Iran.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
US-Iran rapport will be a twisting road
Both Washington and Tehran declared that US President Barack Obama is unlikely to meet with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly this year. The US media had hyped the possibility that the two heads would hold historic meetings but such ecstasy lasted only a couple of days.
Nevertheless, it is indeed possible that the US and Iran are considering improving their relations and it is worth our attention.
Iran serves as a pillar in Middle East geopolitics. Since its confrontation with the US plays a decisive role in regional politics, the White House has formulated most of its Middle East policies to contain Iran. The possible military strike against Syria is viewed by many as a measure to prevent Iran from interfering more in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Therefore, the whole geopolitical situation will witness an interesting adaptation if the US and Iran can compromise.
There is no denying that they once enjoyed a honeymoon relationship but have been in an abyss of hostility for so long that both of them are desperate to improve their bilateral ties. Tehran will probably be able to get rid of international sanctions only if it improves relations with the US, which, on the other hand, is desperate to remove its attention and strength from the Middle East given its thorny domestic problems and "pivot to Asia" strategy.
Nonetheless, US-Iranian confrontation has exerted a negative influence on a whole generation in both nations. Thus, even if the state heads find common interests of reconciliation and are determined to put ahead the process, there will be enormous twists and turns in their diplomatic efforts.
It is nearly impossible that the US and Iran will become friends in the foreseeable future due to a series of problems including ideological differences and the latter's conflict with Israel. Washington will never become an intimate friend of major Islamic countries because turmoil and instability within the region help maintain its presence there.
Some hold that many countries will prevent US-Iran relations from getting better. China is one of those. However, China will be happy to see their ties improved. Despite the fact that Iran has restrained US power to a certain degree, its nuclear issue and the risk of war with the US have sabotaged China's interests. Besides, the Chinese government does not regard its economic cooperation with Tehran as a zero-sum game.
With a high degree of independence and self-respect, Iran is irreplaceable in the Middle East and therefore no country possesses the power to contain it.
On the road to becoming a global power, China should take its strength and common interests as key instruments of diplomacy, separate from traditional friendship, and have confidence in its bilateral ties with Iran.
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