Day: June 18, 2013
The will of the people is clear
As news quickly spread over the weekend that Hassan Rouhani had catapulted to victory in Iran’s presidential elections, regional experts and casual observers were equally puzzled yet cautiously optimistic. Rouhani, a relative moderate by Iranian standards, seized the initiative among a crowded field of candidates, securing important endorsements from former Iranian presidents and building on a successful campaign to win over 50% of the votes in the first round of elections.
Questions now abound. How did Rouhani win? Why did the Supreme Leader let him win? What will this mean for Iran’s relationship with the West, and what is to become of Iran’s nuclear program?
On Monday, a panel of Iran experts gathered at the Stimson Center to discuss their initial thoughts on the surprising outcome of Friday’s elections. Geneive Abdo, a fellow on the Middle East and Southwest Asia, framed the discussion for the other panelists. Rouhani emerged as the candidate of hope, promising a more open press and reconciliation with the West. He is a well-educated and articulate man who is close to the regime yet able to carve out some of his own positions. He is disinclined to use bombastic language and is focused on easing the plight of the average Iranian. So does his election signify a noticeable shift in the regime’s outlook? Or should we expect business as usual with a more mild-mannered demeanor? Read more
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You break it, you buy it
I spent a frustrating half hour on Warren Olney’s fine show “To the Point” yesterday. Frustrating largely because my phone connection was bad, which meant I had to switch lines, limiting the time I had to intervene. But the show was a good one, with Danielle Pletka, Steve Simon and Amr al Azam.
The main point I wanted to make is that the Administration’s decision on arming the revolutionaries is part of an effort to gain a political settlement. Obama not only wants Asad out but also Sunni extremists blocked from taking over. The Americans also want to limit their engagement to the minimum necessary. Continuing escalation will not serve the purpose of a political settlement or allow them to get off cheaply. Read more
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Ed replies to Shpend
In a third salvo of an exchange that started last week, Ed Joseph of SAIS responds to Vetvendosje’s Shpend Ahmeti’s response to Ed’s initial memo. It is my hope Shpend will respond once again, but then we’ll declare a truce!
Dear Shpend, thank you for taking the time to respond to my five-point memo. Let me try to refine a few points in the hope of narrowing our differences:
First, the aim of the memo was to explain where I believe there is a disconnect between your party and some (or many) in the US who believe your party’s policies are hurting, not helping, Kosovo’s progress. I speak only for myself, however. If you want the official US perspective, you will have to meet with US officials.
Second, on the rights of the Serb community: Read more
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