As Israel installs new hardline PM, US and Iran meet on Afghanistan

Today, Benjamin Netanyahu will become Israel’s newest Prime Minister, leading a hardline Likud government alongside Avigdor Lieberman’s ultra-nationalist (and largely racist) Yisrael Betenyu party and incorporating Ehud Barak’s Labor party.  The newly-formed government will place Kadima leader Tzipi Livni in the awkward position of leading the pro-peace movement (Livni is not widely regarded as a dove by any standards, but is nowhere near as hawkish as PM Netanyahu).

I recently attended a very interesting blogger discussion at the New America Foundation that Steve Clemmons put on to discuss all of this, which you can read about over at the Washington Times’ Potus Notes.  Basically, I left the meeting with the extremely depressing notion that despite President Obama’s emphasis on the peace process, Israelis and Palestinians are farther away from a deal today than they were even a few months ago.

In slightly more positive news, the so-called “Big Tent” meeting on Afghanistan is going on today at the Hague, with both Iranian and American diplomats in attendance.  Secretary of State Clinton invited the Iranian delegation to cooperate on stabilization efforts in Afghanistan, which was the first of a series of very positive moves by the Obama administration to kick off its plan to engage with Iran.

As we heard from Hillary Mann Leverett at our briefing last week, it’s important for Iran to send a signal at this conference that it is capable of reciprocating positive moves from Washington.  Iran needs to make it clear that on issues of mutual interest, there is nothing standing in the way of their full cooperation.

Unfortunately, as Laura Rozen pointed out last night, it’s not off to a great start.  The US is sending Secretary of State Clinton to the meeting, but Iran will be represented by the deputy foreign minister, Mehdi Akhundzadeh.  According to Trita:

“They are talking, and they will be there at the table, but they are sending lesser representation that is not on the par” with the other delegations, notes Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, a Washington group that advocates for engagement between Washington and Tehran. “It does send a signal,” that Iran is holding back somewhat on regional cooperation talks until “they have practical indications of America’s [larger] strategic objective with Iran,” he says. Tehran’s response is “predictable,” if unfortunate, he says, adding that Tehran’s “emulating Bush’s insistence on preconditions would be a mistake.”

update: The Cable is reporting that Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke held a “brief and cordial exchange” with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister.  Also, Sec. Clinton said that she ordered a letter to be delivered to the Iranian delegation asking for informaion on the whereabouts of Robert Levinson and calling for the release of Roxanna Saberi.

update 2: The Atlantic is reporting on an eye-popping interview with Netanyahu in which he told Obama in very stark language that if the US doesn’t stop Iran soon, Israel will.

“You don’t want a messianic apocalyptic cult controlling atomic bombs. When the wide-eyed believer gets hold of the reins of power and the weapons of mass death, then the entire world should start worrying, and that is what is happening in Iran.”

NIAC EXCLUSIVE: Congress to introduce bipartisan “Incidents-at-Sea” resolution

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) and Rep. Geoff Davis (R-KY) will introduce a resolution this morning next week calling for the US military to negotiate an agreement with Iran for the prevention of incidents in the Persian Gulf.  This resolution, intended to protect American ships and sailors operating in harm’s way, is the first bipartisan call for direct dialogue with Iran to come out of this Congress.

Obama to remain “persistent” in talking to Iran

For months, we’ve been arguing against setting artificial deadlines for diplomacy with Iran.  To us, if 30 years of sanctions hasn’t achieved our objective, it only seems fair that diplomacy should be given enough time to succeed. Some in Congress disagree.

But fortunately, President Obama last night weighed in, unprompted, during his press conference.  “I’m a big believer in persistence,” he said, referring to a broad array of issues, from healthcare to MidEast peace, and finally to Iran.

“When it comes to Iran, you know, we did a video sending a message to the Iranian people and the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran. And some people said, ‘Well, they did not immediately say they were eliminating nuclear weapons and stop funding terrorism.’ Well, we didn’t expect that. We expect that we’re going to make steady progress on this front.”

We are heartened by this approach; seeking “steady progress” is exactly the kind of outlook our leaders need right now.  They should not allow themselves to be shaken by quixotic rhetoric coming from Tehran.  In fact, it’s Obama’s job now to set the agenda, based on the strategy that he and his advisors agree on, and then carry it out.  What’s the use of a policy review if it can all be undone by one speech by Ayatollah Khamenei?

It’s best to let our diplomats (who are far and away the best in the world at what they do) get the job done.

update: Unsurprisingly, Bill Kristol over at the Washington Post misconstrued Obama’s thoughtful statement about persistence, coming to the conclusion that Obama has “no sense of urgency about Iran’s nuclear program.”  And in one of his better “the sky is falling” moments, Kristol wondered aloud: does Obama’s “relaxed statement about Iran tonight suggest he has quietly decided to accept the previously unacceptable?”

On the contrary, I think Obama is showing remarkable urgency about Iran’s nuclear program.  That is precisely why he’s chosen to start his outreach now, rather than waiting until after the June election.  This way, Obama can engage directly with hardliners, preventing them from criticizing reformist candidates for supporting talks with the US.

Progress, indeed.

Norooz Resolution update, with new updates

The resolution honoring Norooz, introduced last week by Rep. Honda (D-CA), has already attracted 25 cosponsors.  After President Obama’s historic video address on the occasion of Norooz, Congress should follow up with their own message to the Iranian people.

Write your representative today and support H.Res. 267, the Norooz Resolution!

update: Rep. Honda’s Norooz message:

update 2: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) both delivered floor speeches yesterday marking Norooz.  Full text below the fold.

NIAC round-up

1. Khamenei stamps authority on US relations, AFP
2. Iran’s response to US shows mind-set of leadership, AP
3. Editorial: Obama strikes new tone with Tehran, Financial Times
4. Roger Cohen: From Tehran to Tel Aviv¸ International Herald Tribune
5. Rami G. Khouri: Dialogue or Dictating to Iran?, Middle East Times
6. Despite Iran’s tepid response, experts hail Obama approach, McClatchy
7. Iran sets terms for U.S. ties, AP
8. ‘No proof’ Iran seeks atom bomb: Russian minister, AFP
9. John Bolton: Iran’s Axis of Nuclear Evil, Wall Street Journal
10. Amir Taheri: Iran Has Started a Mideast Arms Race, Wall Street Journal
11. Wife of founder of Iran’s Islamic republic dies, AP

A NEW YEAR, A NEW BEGINNING: OBAMA’S NOROOZ VIDEO

Full text available here.  In Farsi here.

Trita went on record over at The Cable:

“This is huge,” said Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, a group that supports U.S. engagement with Tehran.  “First of all, he is addressing the people and the government, which has not been done before. At one point he talks about the Islamic Republic. He’s signaling he’s not looking for regime change; he’s recognizing Iran’s system.

“You always heard Rice and Bush say ‘Iranian regime.’ It’s a big difference.” That doesn’t mean Obama doesn’t support Iranian democratization, Parsi said. “But he recognizes the government that exists in Iran right now.”

Parsi also found remarkable Obama’s comments that he recognized Iran has a “rightful role among nations.”

“When he is saying the U.S. seeks constructive ties between the U.S., Iran, and international community,” Parsi added, “that is signaling strategic intent. He is making it clear is that where he wants to end up through diplomacy which he supports is a constructive, positive relationship with Iran, to put aside our enmity. That is huge.”

Interestingly enough, this is pretty close to an idea we reported on not too long ago: Joshua Gross’s proposal over at the Christian Science Monitor.  Kudos to Josh and the great CSM team.

Tell Obama thank you for his great Norooz message here.

NIAC press release below the fold.

Honda introduces Norooz resolution today

Just a heads up, Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA-15) will be dropping the Norooz Resolution later this afternoon. He and others will be speaking about it on the House floor on Monday morning. (You can tune in LIVE via CSPAN.)

The bill will be introduced with 25 original cosponsors- something that does not happen everyday- especially considering the geographical diversity of the Representatives.

Check out Rep. Honda’s press release thanking NIAC and celebrating the Iranian-American community and the people of Iran.

Iran review preview…

The Obama administration’s Iran policy review, headed up by Amb. Dennis Ross, is scheduled to be completed by the end of next week.  From media accounts and the Beltway rumor mill, we have been given a glimpse into what might come out of it.

Young Blogger Dies in Evin Prison

cross posted from the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

Iran: Young Blogger Dies in Prison

Second Prisoner of Conscience to Die in the Past Two Weeks

(19 March 2009) The death of an imprisoned blogger inside Evin Prison on 18 March, following the recent death of another prisoner of conscience, demonstrates that Iranian authorities are seriously neglecting the health of prisoners the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. The Campaign called on the Iranian Judiciary to immediately investigate and prosecute prison officials for their neglect and responsibility in these deaths.

The Campaign reminds Iranian authorities that under international human rights law, they are held accountable for the health and safety of prisoners.

“Iranian leaders have relegated the administration of the prison system to a group of incompetent and cruel officials who are showing their utter disregard for human life,” said Hadi Ghaemi, the Campaign’s spokesperson.

Congress watches Colbert, will introduce Norooz resolution

Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA-15) has agreed to introduce a Congressional resolution recognizing Norooz, expressing appreciation for the contributions of Iranian Americans to American society, and wishing both Iranian Americans and the people of Iran a prosperous new year.

This is the first time Congress has ever issued such a message to our community. 

Take a minute to tell your Representative to support the Norooz resolution!

update: Full Text available here

Stephen Colbert decries the commercialization of Norooz!

Obama may send letter to Khamenei on new way forward

As we had been hearing for some time, it appears the administration’s policy review has completed at least its first stage this week.  From press accounts like the one below from the Boston Globe, it seems like Obama is planning to send a direct letter to the Supreme Leader expressing his desire for a new approach.  While it’s likely such a letter will be short on details, the most important message to send is that the US is sincere about negotiating in good faith.

US may soon make overture to Iran leader

By Farah Stockman, Globe Staff  |  March 11, 2009

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is leaning toward making a major diplomatic overture to Iran before the country’s presidential elections in June. This initiative could come in the form of a letter from President Obama to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to two senior European diplomats who have met in recent weeks with key State Department officials crafting a new US policy toward Iran.

The letter would be aimed at initiating talks over the Iranian nuclear program and Iran’s role in neighboring Iraq and Afghanistan, the diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

It would be the first formal communication between an American president and Iran’s leadership since Washington cut diplomatic ties with Tehran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.