Iran

One of the most counter-productive aspects of the Bush Administration’s foreign policy has been his stubborn refusal to talk to our enemies in the mistaken belief that more can be accomplished through brute force than diplomacy. President Bush has ignored the bipartisan Iraq Study Group’s recommendation for direct talks with Iran, a group co-chaired by his father’s Secretary of State, Jim Baker. I favor constructive engagement with Iran, which is essential to any hope of stability in the Middle East.

Dr. Maureen McCue of Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility recently articulated the kind of approach to Iran that I favor.

As part of a comprehensive agreement the United States could: pledge not to use force to change Iran’s government; end unilateral sanctions against Iran; reestablish diplomatic relations with Iran; provide Iran with nuclear-fuel supply guarantees; and work to more fully integrate Iran into the world economy.

In return, Iran could: disclose all information relating to its nuclear program, past and present; allow for more intrusive International Atomic Energy Agency inspections that would assure the international community its nuclear program is purely peaceful in nature; and work in partnership with the United States to help stabilize Iraq. [Des Moines Register, March 8, 2008]