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Obama's new Mideast strategies taking shape

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-20 20:55

 

Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (R) talks to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during a meeting at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva April 20, 2009. [Agencies]

ENGAGEMENT WITH IRAN

Obama tendered "olive branch" to Iran and Syria right after his inauguration. On March 20, the Iranian New Year, Obama said in a videotaped speech that his administration was committed to addressing  issues between the two countries and pursuing "constructive ties."

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Meanwhile, four US congressional delegations and one official delegation have visited Syria so far. These moves showed that Obama had revised Bush's containment policies towards Iran and Syria.

Iran nuclear issue is more than a simple non-proliferation issue, but involves deep-seated conflicts between Washington and Tehran. The Bush Administration was confronted with the difficult choice between military action for regime change and engagement with Iran. The former entails taking tougher stance on Iran, urging for further UN Security Council sanctions and preparing politically and militarily for possible military strike against Iran.

By contrast, engagement strategy means normalizing its ties with Iran and integrating Iran into the international system. Observers here noted that the Obama administration seemed to have made its choice over the Iran issue. They hope it is a rational choice that serves the interests of not only the two countries, but the world at large as well.

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