While millions around the globe were glued to their TVs listening to President Obama's message of hope, decision-makers in Tehran were looking for a single-phrase alone: Mutual respect. Obama didn't disappoint.
"To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect," Obama said in his address to the 1.5 million man strong crowd on the Washington mall.
"Mutual respect" has become an almost mysterious term in US-Iran relations. The Iranians have repeatedly stated that improved US-Iran relations only can come about once the two countries negotiate with each other as equals, with "mutual respect." The rather ambiguous term has often bewildered US officials, not understanding what the Iranians exactly are demanding of the US. "What does this "mutual respect" mumbo-jumbo mean?," a US lawmaker once asked me? "Why don't they just say what they want?"
While in the American point of view the US-Iran conflict is rooted in policy differences and differing visions for the Middle East, to the Iranians it is just as much about discarding an uneven relationship - that between a master and a servant. The term "mutual respect" is so critical to Tehran that the Iranians even included it in their 2003 negotiation offer to the Bush administration. (The Bush White House never responded to the proposal, a move interpreted by Tehran as a sign of utter disrespect).
Tehran will likely interpret Obama's declared interest in finding a new way forward based on mutual respect as a clear - and very positive - signal to the Middle East in general, and to Iran in particular.
While positive signals are important, perhaps even necessary, they are not sufficient. If Obama intended this passage of the inaugural address to serve as a signal to Tehran - or even more pointedly, his promise to extend a hand to hostile nations if they are willing to unclench their fist - it would not be the first time that an incoming president would use this occasion to reach out to Iran.
In 1989, George H. Bush said in regards to Iran that "goodwill begets goodwill. Good faith can be a spiral that endlessly moves on." Tehran interpreted Bush's statement as an invitation for an Iranian goodwill gesture. They responded by pressuring Hezbollah to release all American hostages in Lebanon and by tacitly supporting the U.S. during the first Persian Gulf War.
But contrary to Bush's promise, goodwill only begot ill-will. "When the hostages were all released," then-National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft told me, "we didn't do anything."
The U.S. did not respond to the release of the hostages and Iranian cooperation in the Persian Gulf War did not lead to an inclusive Persian Gulf security arrangement that would recognize a legitimate role for Iran in the region.
Now, exactly 20 years later, goodwill - and reciprocation - is needed more than ever before. Obama has on his first day in office taken an important step by beginning to change America's vocabulary on Iran.
With a timely response by Tehran, and proper follow up by both sides, they can go beyond vocabulary and symbolism and begin addressing the substance of their dysfunctional relationship.
Tehran should take a risk and wink back.
" Our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."
In other words right makes might, not might makes right.
"To the Muslim world we seek a new way forward based on mutual interest and mutual respect. We will extend a hand IF you will unclench your fist."
" And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity."
"With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you"
Is the notion of showing a little humility and respect-- and you'd better respect nuclear weapons-- somehow communist? When you're confronted by a snarling mad dog, it's probably worth at least trying to calm it down (if you get it calm enough, it will let you get close; then you can pull out its teeth).
Imagine NON-Proliferation Treaty being exercised as JFK asked tor "remove the nuclear threat" not a foreign policy against the weak, suffering and unprotected.
STOP THE MADNESS!!! wink wink
everyone is so hungry for change that every single word, gesture or pause of silence is going to be read as either positive or negative comment on something. It would be wisest to wait until the word Iran is used in a sentence before attributing some platitude as new specific policy.
I tend to agree with the author on the direction of the new administration but I am not set willing to see signs and oracles in every sentence Barack utters.
LIKE ISRAEL DOES HA HA HAAAAAAAAAA?
ISRAEL HAS NO RESPECT FOR ITSELF TO RESPECT OTHERS,EVEN AFTER ALL BUSH DID FOR IT,OLMERT STILL DISRESPEDTED BUSH AND CONDI
Unfortunately, if "mutual respect" was a signal, this was the anti-signal. Neither Iran (nor Cuba nor Venezuela nor any other of the countries the U.S. proclaims as our "enemies") has any kind of "clenched fist" raised at the United States; this is a classic case of blaming the victim. It's the U.S. which has been raising a clenched fist (and a lot more, e.g., economic blockades which are a "polite" form of warfare) against Iran etc. for decades.
All the U.S. has to do is unclench ITS fist and everything is possible.
I don't know of any (clenched fist) country threatening the most powerful military in the world.
Right U.S. and Egyptian warships led by the amphibian warship the USS San Antonio (which is head of Combined Task Force 151) in the Gulf of Aden are looking for an Iranian ship with supposedly 60 tons of weapons for Hamas. Also British warships are to move off the coast of Gaza to patrol alongside Israeli warships and just up the coast off Syria's coast sits the Russian aircraft carrier and a guided missile cruiser and support vessel.
Warming relations with Iran? Israel will not let this happen.
However, the phrase "a nod to Iran" might be more appropriate since the erstwhile VP candidate, Mrs. Palin, has ruined indefinitely the political wink for me.
www.twitter.com/blacktokyo