In the current issue of the NY Review a couple of ex-ambassadors, Thomas Pickering and William Luers, along with Jim Walsh of MIT have proposed a change in our strategy re Iran. Their idea is rather straightforward - Iran's efforts to produce enriched uranium and other related nuclear activities be conducted on a multi-lateral basis. That is, a consortium of nations - perhaps, France, Germany, United States and Iran - be formed to jointly manage and operate a nuclear program in Iran.
As time moves on, sanctions against Iran are becoming less effective since fewer nations are willing to implement them. The talks between Iran and the U.S. vis-a-vis Iraq seem to have reduced Iran's activities in Iraq, showing that negotiations with Iran are possible. This may be the right time to try to implement a changed strategy. If we don't, the chances of Iran producing nuclear weapons and of our allies deserting us increase.
Such a proposal would put us back in the driver's seat with regard to actually having a position of leadership with regards to this problem. Instead of wishing for the impossible, we should seek the doable.
Granted there are a number of risks and coming to a final agreement will not be easy nor will it be fast. But it is a realistic alternative to the current impasse.
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