Iranian Overture Might Complicate Relations With Israel

[Purveyor]

When President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran took up President Obama’s oft-repeated invitation for direct talks between the United States and Iran — something that hasn’t happened in 30 years — he seemed to be signaling the start of a long-delayed war-or-peace drama that may define the Obama administration’s first engagement with the rest of the world.

It was only three weeks ago today, in his inaugural address, that Mr. Obama promised a new relationship with nations willing to “unclench their fist,” an offer he repeated at his news conference on Monday evening. And it is too early to know quite how to read Mr. Ahmadinejad’s declaration that “Our nation is ready to hold talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere.” After all, it’s never exactly clear who is running the country’s foreign policy, and there is good reason to question whether the fiery Iranian president will overcome his mismanagement of the country’s economy to survive the June 12 elections there.

But there is no question a new dynamic is afoot, one that seems likely to become even more complicated after today’s election in Israel is settled. If the government that emerges is even more determined to end the Iranian nuclear program by any means necessary, Mr. Obama may find himself trying to negotiate with one of America’s most determined adversaries while restraining one of its closest allies.

“I could draw you a scenario in which this new combination of players leads to the first real talks with Iran in three decades,” one of the key players on the issue for President Obama said last week, declining to speak on the record because the new administration has not even named its team, much less its strategy. “And I could draw you one in which the first big foreign crisis of the Obama presidency is a really nasty confrontation, either because the Israelis strike or because we won’t let them.”

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NEW YORK TIMES: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/11/us/politics/11web-sanger-in-was-14-48.html?_r=1

[seemslikeadream]

1. hmmmmm

ya think?

[kickysnana]

2. Perhaps they will refuse our aid and all the duel citizens will resign from US govt jobs? n/t

[LeftishBrit]

3. What 'dual citizens'?

ETA: the reason I ask is that I've seen lists posted that originate from hate-sites, and make the assumption that all Jews are dual citizens. They also tend to include John Bolton who is neither a Jew, a dual citizen, nor a member of the government.

[classysassy]

4. Foreign policy

Our foreign policy should be decided by whats good for America,I wonder what would happen if Mexico told our president who he should meet for talks.The right wing media would explode with anger.

[LeftishBrit]

6. I don't know whether Mexico tries to advise the American president, but everyone else seems to

Before Obama even took office, Gordon Brown was sounding off about he shouldn't adopt 'protectionist' policies for the car industry. (Considering how badly Britain has handled its own car industry, I'd be the first to say he wasn't really the one to talk.)

Everybody tries to put their oar in, these days. American politicians give lots of free advice to other countries if it comes to that!

[underpants]

5. You know what has really complicated relations with Israel?

The US invading and occupying Iraq.

Israel and Iran used to by "the US's influence" in the region. Then Iran went away. Israel was our reach into the area. Now we have ground troops, armor, air, etc. directly in the region. Israel is nervous.

I haven't read that anywhere I just think this explains Israel's actions since the war began more than just Bush giving them cover to attack Lebanon and Gaza.