Restoring the Balance - Updated
Roughly 18 months ago, my efforts in this blog focused on keeping the US out of a disastrous war with Iran while trying to help envision what a constructive relationship with Iran could do for the Middle East. The Brooking Institutes’s report on US strategy in the Middle East released this week is the most hopeful and thoughtful argument for both why and how we should engage with Iran.
The reports muscular tone tries to ally the concerns of American hawks, but what is most striking to me is the strategic measurements and milestones the report layouts. They start from the correct premise that a military strike will delay Iran’s nuclear program while igniting much more active Iranian action around the Middle East. But how can we make negotiations work?
First, we may not. Iran has a choice in front of them and may decide to be more confrontational, but thier standing in the region has grown considerably and they are likely attracted to rejoining the community of nations as a respected and important regional power. The US can really help that happen and even smooth over some of the resistance from countries like Saudi Arabia.
But we also have to have clear and defined framework for what a responsible Iran would and would not do. We can take a lead in starting this framework but it should be crafted, implemented and monitored by the regional powers themselves. This is the best way to ensure that Iran lives up to its agreement.
Iran as a constructive actor could help end our two major wars and would shift regional responsibility from us to them. I will add more thoughts and comments on this excellent report but most return to my paid work for now.
Tags: Brookings Institue, Jerusalem Post, Middle East peace, Restoring the Balance
