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  • The U.S. Administration is taking steps to engage Iran, though no one expects the path to be easy.

    March 30, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione
  • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join Iran at an international conference on Afghanistan in The Hague, following through on a promise by President Obama to deal with Tehran on issues of mutual concern. Joe Cirincione told Reuters, “This is not a Nixon goes to China moment. You will have a series of incremental steps — small pieces that put together the mosaic of a new relationship.”

    March 27, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione
  • The House Budget Committee is recommending a $5.35 billion cut from the Obama Administration’s international affairs budget request, in contrast with the Chairman’s recommendation to fund DOD at the full amount requested.

    March 25, 2009 - By Sarah Brown
  • President Obama's Norooz message "initiated a much needed direct conversation between Iran and the U.S," writes  Dr.

    March 24, 2009 - By Sarah Brown
  • In a significant departure from the previous administration’s tone, President Obama welcomed "new beginnings" with Iran in a surprise video message marking Nowruz, the Iranian new year. The video does not specifically address the nuclear standoff, but instead recognizes the contribution of Iran's historical culture and calls on Tehran's leaders to turn a new page. "These challenges are interconnected and Obama gets that," said Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione.

    March 20, 2009 - By Sarah Brown
  • In a significant departure from the previous administration’s tone, President Obama welcomed "new beginnings" with Iran in a surprise video message marking Nowruz, the Iranian new year. The video does not specifically address the nuclear standoff, but instead recognizes the contribution of Iran's historical culture and calls on Tehran's leaders to turn a new page. "These challenges are interconnected and Obama gets that," said Ploughshares Fund President Joe Cirincione.

    March 20, 2009 - By Joe Cirincione
  • Dr.

    March 12, 2009 - By Anonymous
  • The Obama administration is considering a major diplomatic overture to Iran, in the form of a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, before the country's presidential elections in June.

    March 11, 2009 - By Anonymous
  • Democratic lawmakers added an estimated $524 million in defense earmarks that the Pentagon did not request to the 2008 appropriations bill, about $220 million more than Republicans did.

    March 8, 2009 - By Anonymous
  • The Obama administration's $533.7 billion defense budget boosts U.S. military spending by 4 percent, but inflation and increased personnel costs will more than eat up that amount.

    March 1, 2009 - By Anonymous