Who’d have thought it; diplomacy is actually a viable strategy. The Iran Nuclear Deal has it’s critics. Donald Trump claimed he “has never seen a transaction as incompetent as the one with Iran”. Even more prominently, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is the most significant critic of Obama’s negotiations with Iran, claiming it will enrich the country and thus “enable it to continue to pursue its aggression and terror”. Conversely, when one looks at most of the history of Western relations with the Middle East, this deal is a breath of fresh air.
Previously, America’s involvement in the Middle East has involved 1) a CIA/British Intelligence plot that deposed, in Iran, a secular democrat prime minister (Mosaddegh) with an autocratic shah; the training and economic funding of the mujahideen (preceding the formation of the Al-Qaeda). 2) war with Iraq for its alleged possession of WMD’s that were never found. 3) and more recently systematic bombing against ISIS. This is not to ignore more conscientious attempts by the US, such as the Camp David talks between Israel, Palestine and America. However, it is arguable that America’s involvement in the Middle East has more often been destabilising than helpful.
“A country known for espousing the hateful phrase “Death to America” has actually come to a settlement with them. This is not by means of military aggression or Intelligence-led coups and plots, but through negotiation”
On the other hand, this new deal represents a more progressive approach that will hopefully set a precedent for future relations with the Middle East. A country known for espousing the hateful phrase “Death to America” has actually come to a settlement with them. This is not by means of military aggression or Intelligence-led coups and plots, but through negotiation. Essentially, the deal itself is an agreement in which the US and other big powers will lift economic sanctions on Iran if the country complies to the demand to reduce its Uranium stockpile, cut down its centrifuges used to enrich Uranium, and have strict inspections to ensure they are following the rules.
Hopefully, the uplifting of economic sanctions will, in the eyes of the impoverished nation, legitimise and popularise the approach and Presidency of the moderate reformist Hassan Rouhani, who favours improving relations with West. Certainly, Rouhani holds a number of progressive ideals such as increasing the wealth of the poor population, a new civil rights charter and further equality for women. Such a leader, who has huge popularity as a result of the improved economic conditions resulting from the deal, could really boost the modernisation and improvement of the country. Consequently, legitimate and moderate systems in the Middle East could pave the way for more effective self-organisation rather than Western intervention. As such, the West’s best helping hand in solving the issues of the Middle East is diplomacy and negotiation.
“Of course, it is true, for example, that we cannot stand to allow for the violent, murderous agenda of ISIS to dominate in the Middle East, but arguably military aggression actually exacerbates and radicalises the situation in those regions”
Of course, it is true, for example, that we cannot stand to allow for the violent, murderous agenda of ISIS to dominate in the Middle East, but arguably military aggression actually exacerbates and radicalises the situation in those regions. It is an especially paradoxical policy considering that the West continues to sell arms to repressive regimes in the Middle East and North Africa, which have found their way into the hands of such terrorist organisations like ISIS. Obama himself said that the US cannot play “whack-a-mole” with terrorists long before the announcement of US airstrikes on ISIS. Since that announcement, less than 1% of the territory it held in Iraq has been recovered and at least 50 civilians have been killed.
Ultimately, we cannot remain in this state of perpetual war in the Middle East. Instead, it is necessary that we seek to use peaceful processes and cooperation (with those we can) to allow this region to fulfil its potential for organising itself. It is this Iran Nuclear Deal that will seek to demonstrate to the world that the destructive and risky policy of military intervention, which only ever provide short-term answers, should be the very last resort. Instead, real change which addresses underlying problems in the Middle East begins at the negotiating table.
Mark Lawes
Image: Pat Guiney via Flickr
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