Rethinking Iran: Message to Obama

Ploughshares Fund's Joe Cirincione appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition this morning, in the premier of a new segment titled "On the Couch."  Host Scott Simon welcomed Joe and a panel that included Azar Nafizi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, journalist Rudi Bakhtiar, former hostage Kevin Hermining and Patrick Clawson from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.  Simon asked each what they foresaw for the future of U.S.-Iran relations.  "The question for me," said Joe, "is whether the current Obama administration can learn the lessons of [the past administration's miscalculations] and have a consistent policy that, over a period of time, works to engage both the Iranian people and their leaders, and understands that there are vying factions in Iran." 

Later, the panelists were invited to record a video message with their advice for President Obama on moving forward with Iran. "If I had just a few minutes with President Obama," Joe began, "I would tell him three things.  One, negotiating with Iran is the only way to convince Iran to give up its nuclear program….I would encourage him to take a series of steps to convince Iran of the benefits of a non-hostile relationship with the west, including involving Iran in some of the regional negotiations that are in both countries’ interest." Listen to the discussion, and watch Joe's video message.