Rouhani in Post: Constructive Engagement and Breaking the Impasse

On the radar: Rouhani in the Post; Assessing the charm offensive; Case for continued reductions; Special relationship with fewer nukes; and Miss A-Bomb.

September 20, 2013 | Edited by Benjamin Loehrke and Alyssa Demus

Rouhani’s approach - “A constructive approach to diplomacy doesn’t mean relinquishing one’s rights. It means engaging with one’s counterparts, on the basis of equal footing and mutual respect, to address shared concerns and achieve shared objectives. In other words, win-win outcomes are not just favorable but also achievable,” writes Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in an op-ed for The Washington Post.

--Rouhani describes his approach to foreign policy - emphasizing engagement, cooperation and a respect for the role of national identities - and lays out his approach to Syria, instability in the Middle East and Iran’s nuclear program.

--”To move beyond impasses, whether in relation to Syria, my country’s nuclear program or its relations with the United States, we need to aim higher. Rather than focusing on how to prevent things from getting worse, we need to think — and talk — about how to make things better. To do that, we all need to muster the courage to start conveying what we want — clearly, concisely and sincerely — and to back it up with the political will to take necessary action. This is the essence of my approach to constructive interaction,” writes Rouhani. http://wapo.st/18G0hid

Analyzing Rouhani’s outreach - “The new Iranian administration has opened a door to a better relationship, and one better for the United States, about as widely as such doors ever are opened. The United States would be foolish not to walk through it,” writes Paul Pillar in The National Interest. http://ow.ly/p3v2g

--“We should push for a big comprehensive deal as soon as possible, rather than the incremental step-by-step approach. Obama doesn’t have the political capital to reduce the sanctions step by step, and Rouhani inevitably will lose political capital,” said George Perkovich, proliferation expert at the Carnegie Endowment in an interview with Reuters’ David Rhode. http://ow.ly/p3xYK

--“What remains to be seen is whether the Iranian tone will be matched by a willingness to accept some constraints on its nuclear program, and whether the United States will lift sanctions on Iran in return,” writes Jon Wolfsthal for MSNBC. http://on.msnbc.com/15I3sU3

--”At the very least, the Obama Administration should come up with a reasonable offer that would signal to the Iranian people that if the regime is willing to credibly forswear nuclear weapons, ordinary Iranians will have a brighter future. But it is difficult to sound reasonable while you are beating the drums of war,” writes Fareed Zakaria for TIME. http://ti.me/16kWxf2

--“Rouhani is sending signals he wants to deal. He wants to end the sanctions and knows he does not have a lot of time to deliver — Iranian presidents have some space in their first year and then it declines,” said said Dennis Ross in an interview with Thomas Erdbrink and Mark Landler at The New York Times. http://ow.ly/p3wC2

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Outlook for White House - ”Quick Turn of Fortunes as Diplomatic Options Open Up With Syria and Iran” by David Sanger of The New York Times. http://nyti.ms/15bPYfD

Keep cutting nukes - “Further reductions to the U.S. nuclear stockpile would bring a variety of benefits, including the prospect of a smaller Russian arsenal and engagement with China on nuclear arms control, a stronger international coalition against nuclear terrorism and proliferation, and billions of dollars that could be saved or spent on higher priority defense needs. Reducing excess nuclear stockpiles has made sense to seven presidents over five decades. It still makes sense today,” write Daryl Kimball and Tom Collina in a rebuttal to a recent Foreign Policy article arguing to keep the nuclear status quo. Full post here. http://atfp.co/18fQcqb

Tweet - @OswaldRachel: video of Thurs missile interception test of short-range ballistic missile target by SM-3 Block 1B interceptor http://t.co/VZtsENzqaL

Trident and the special relationship - “This forthcoming debate [on Trident submarines] provides an opportunity for Americans and Britons together to take a pragmatic, fresh look at nuclear strategy in ways that bring it into the 21st century and rise above conventional mantra. Unnecessary nuclear capabilities come at a high cost, both financially and strategically, and knee-jerk reactions based upon past strategic environments, unsubstantiated threats, and bluster are only likely to backfire,” write Sir Jeremy Greenstock and Amb. Thomas Pickering.

--The authors argue that the UK and US should be open to adjusting security strategies to recognize the diminished role of nuclear weapons and the value of the US-UK relations beyond nuclear cooperation. Full post in The Christian Science Monitor. http://bit.ly/1aZ6CXI

Hearing preview - Advance Policy Questions for Frank G. Klotz, Nominee to be Under Secretary for Nuclear Security, Department of Energy, and Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration. (pdf) http://1.usa.gov/19khGJt

Tweet - @nukes_of_hazard: SFRC nom hearing for @Gottemoeller, Frank Rose, Adam Scheinman to fill DoS arms control/nonpro posts slated for 9/26 http://t.co/4HZVK6jFug

Events:

--”Strategic Agility - Stimson Releasing New Defense Strategy Report At Capitol Hill Event” Report launch and discussion with Barry Blechman, Gen. B.B. Bell and Philip Odeen. Tues. Sept. 24 from 10:00-11:30am. Capitol Hill Visitor’s Center. RSVP here. http://bit.ly/15bKCRs

--President Hassan Rouhani addresses the U.N. General Assembly. September 25 or 26. Webcast here. http://webtv.un.org/

--Iran and the IAEA resume talks on Iran’s nuclear program. September 27.

--”The U.S.-Russia Relationship: Transcending Mutual Deterrence.” Gary Samore, William Tobey, and Pavel Zolotarev. Moderated by Steven Pifer. September 30, 2:00-3:30 pm @ The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium. Details here. http://ow.ly/oZSM9

Dessert:

Tweet - @MarkThompson_DC: B-1 Bomber Overkill: Built to scare the Bolsheviks, now being tested against small boats. http://t.co/36HdAGIxiN

Busty Bombshells - The atomic age of the 1950’s engendered a cultural fascination with all things nuclear - nuke themed children’s toys, hairstyles and home decor. “Nowhere was Atomic Fever more prevalent than Las Vegas...a mere 65 miles southeast of the Nevada Test Site.”

--The intersection of Sin City and nuclear testing gave rise to the atomic beauty queen: scantily clad showgirls donning some variation of the mushroom cloud-inspired bathing suit. For more on Miss Atomic Bomb, Miss Cue, Miss Atomic Blast, and Miss A-Bomb check out Anne Wheeler’s piece in mental_floss. http://ow.ly/p3Bc7