Make them wait: a tactical pause with Iran

In a piece for Foreign Policy, Trita Parsi of the Ploughshares-funded National Iranian American Council discussed U.S. diplomatic efforts with Iran, given the Iranian election crisis.  He concludes, “Obama should not be married to any artificial deadlines. Pushing for talks now simply because he decided on a timetable before the elections could undermine the chances for diplomacy to succeed. Paradoxically, the best way to enhance prospects for diplomacy might actually be not to pursue diplomacy for now. Better instead to make a tactical pause, see how things develop, and be ready to engage at the right time.”