About six months ago, Charles Schumer, an influential politician of the Capitol Hill, said that Russia has an essential role in the Iranian nuclear affair. The democrat said that the international community has to seek Russia’s help to avoid an open conflict with Teheran.
“The Bush administration has to use any diplomatic leverage at its disposal to shut down the Iranian nuclear program. Even if the military option is not out of the question, it is not an option to be desired. If Iran has underground compounds, an aerial attack will slow down but not halt the production of nuclear weapons. An occupation would be needed to stop the problem but I can think of a cheaper way”, said the US official.
Highlighting the common vision that the west has on the Iranian issue, the senator said that the focus should be on persuading Russia to support a resolution of the Security Council on the matter. In Schumer’s opinion, China has not any real objectives in the Middle East and it can be easily persuaded.
The senator said that the west should fairly asses Iran and its political system. “Iran is not without weaknesses. There are many ethnical rivalries between the Persians, Azeri, Arabs and Kurds. A firm stance of the international community and a new set of economical sanctions may prove to be an effective combination. However, for this to work, the permanent members of the Security Council should work together. U.S. and Great Britain always supported a harder approach and so did Germany and France. China would go along with the others, but only if Russia would agree to this course of events”, said the democrat.
The senator added that Russia will probably oppose the sanctions because it has key geopolitical and economical objectives in the region.
“First of all, Russia has a long and vigorous relationship with Iran. Secondly, Russia’s economy profits a great deal after the privileged relations between the two states. Finally, the most important fact is Russia’s influence. Mr. Putin is an old fashion nationalist that want Russia to recover her former glory and influence” showed Schumer.
In the final part of his explanation, the senator said that the United States should give Russia something in exchange for their support in the Iranian affair. He assessed that the Bush administration should offer Putin the halt of the anti-rocket shield project.
“To benefit from Russia’s endorsement, we have to make them an offer that they can’t refuse. We have to acknowledge and accept Russia’s rightful objectives at the Caspian area. “, said the democrat.
Schumer’s words date from the summer of 2008, a very thorny political year for Washington’s residents. Since then, accordingly to the new administration, Bush’s foreign policy in the Middle East shifted. The hard-line imposed in the international affairs by the Bush administration is being melted in America’s hope for the better.
Obama sensed America’s need to restore its core values, its genuine idealism and attachment to ethics. The U.S. wants the Obama administration to do the right thing. But what is the right thing to do in the Iranian affair? We’ll wait… but its seems that U.S. officials are thinking about halting Bush’s star wars project. Could this mean a new approach on Iran? Then, probably Schumer was right.
