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More Soothing American Efforts on Iran

(Israel Hayom) Zalman Shoval - U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice, the person who more than anyone has President Barack Obama's ear on foreign policy matters, arrived in Israel on Wednesday to coordinate positions on the emerging agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, accompanied by Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman, who leads the American negotiating team in the Iran talks. Israel considers Iran's nuclear efforts an existential threat. The Obama administration wants to make sure that Israel will not act unilaterally against Iran. Israel does not object, in principle, to a compromise, and is not thrilled at the notion of acting militarily against Iran without U.S. support. But it is far from being convinced that the deal on the table will in fact put an end to Iran's nuclear program. Rice and Sherman will certainly try convincing the Israelis that Washington is aware of deceptive Iranian maneuvering and that America will not concede even the military option. However, not only would this probably be too little too late, but in light of America's policies of restraint in places like Syria, Libya and Ukraine, it is hard not to doubt the veracity of these promises and soothing words. The American team is sure to hear Israel's reservations. To our great remorse, it appears that the scenario of American firmness is not on the horizon. The Obama administration is interested in presenting a deal with Iran as a lofty diplomatic success and will therefore minimize the significance of its flaws. At the beginning of his tenure, Obama repeatedly declared his objection to a policy of "containment," but it appears this could precisely be the real and negative result of the approach taken with Iran. The writer is a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S.
2014-05-09 00:00:00
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