(New York Times) Ray Takeyh - The most fundamental transformations of Iran's foreign policy have resulted not from external pressure but from internal political change. Only a regime beholden to popular approbation can be counted on to respect international norms. The Green movement today is America's only realistic path to a constructive and durable nuclear compact with Iran. The Greens believe that democratic empowerment at home mandates a foreign policy that acknowledges prevailing conventions. As such, the Greens embrace detente and cooperation as the best means of advancing Iran's practical interests. A viable strategy of engagement would be to embrace and enable the democratic movement pressing for genuine transformation of the Islamic Republic. The writer is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
2010-06-28 09:57:32Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive