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Why Not to Engage Iran (Yet)

[Foreign Policy] Geneive Abdo - With presidential elections six months away, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad finds himself under attack from all sides. Sixty Iranian economists wrote a letter recently protesting his failed policies that have led to record-high unemployment. In many ways, Iran's leaders view Obama's election as similar to 2000, when bilateral relations seem poised for a breakthrough. But considering U.S. weakness in the Middle East and Iran's strengthened position in the region, Iranians are more optimistic that this time the U.S. is more motivated to initiate a thaw. If the Obama administration does intend to talk to Iran, however, it might be wise to wait until after the Iranian election in June. Otherwise, all the talk over the coming years is likely to be with Ahmadinejad. The writer is a fellow at the Century Foundation.
2008-12-12 08:00:00
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