Between secret letters and revelations made by American officials, there is a good amount of evidence suggesting US President Barack Obama’s administration is moving closer to Iran as part of an attempt for coordination against Islamic State (aka ISIS).
To make sense of the complicated situation, Arutz Sheva spoke with Dr. Emily Landau, head of the Arms Control and Regional Security Program at the Institute for National Security Studies.
According to Landau, the US seems poised to ally with Iran against ISIS – at the cost of allowing the Islamic regime to have nuclear capabilities.
“This is how it looked even before the reports about the letter from Obama to (Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah) Khamenei. There were more than a few signs of American willingness to reach an agreement quickly so as to advance cooperation against ISIS and maybe other organizations in Iraq,” said the analyst.
Noting on the November 24 deadline on nuclear talks, Landau added “the problem is this talk is coming at a critical stage in the nuclear talks, when Iran is understanding that Obama’s administration is ready to cooperate against ISIS. That weakens American bargaining power.”
Obama’s goals aren’t understandable
Dr. Landau reminds how even at the start of Obama’s presidency he displayed a policy of rapprochement towards enemies of America, and states that in recent years he sees bilateral ties with Iran as a goal; reports have indicated covert talks are being held about renewing diplomatic ties.
Obama “is set on the goal of changing ties with Iran as an achievement. It’s hard to understand what that’s based on,” remarked Landau, noting on how Iran has continually and vocally expressed animosity towards the US, as well as calling for the destruction of Israel.
“All that we hear is hate, contempt and curses towards America and towards Israel. Maybe there are shared interests like the war on ISIS, but that’s not a reason for joining together. We are talking about an aggressive state that is dangerous to its surroundings,” added Landau.
Responding to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s comments that the Iranian nuclear issue is unconnected to any other issue, Landau remarks that it is hard to accept the statement given that total lack of an American denial of the reports of Obama’s secret letter to Khamenei, in which he urged Iran to reach a nuclear deal and join the anti-ISIS coalition.
“Even before the letter it was possible to see the US going in that direction. The question is what to believe, the evidence or the statements of Kerry and others, the picture being consolidated by those close to the administration or the vigorous denials. It’s hard to settle the contradictions,” said Landau.
What should Israel do?
Speaking about what Israel’s role in these issues should be, Landau stresses Israel must make clear to the world that a nuclear armed Iran is a threat to the entire world, and that the topic is not just pertinent to the immediate threat on Israel.
“The one who loses here is the world. It’s incorrect to frame this conversation as if it’s only an Israel interest that there be a good nuclear agreement,” stated the analyst.
It has been said that Iran achieving nuclear capabilities may spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, and may allow the country to supply its various terror proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas with “pocket nukes” and “suitcase bombs” with nuclear material.
Regarding Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Landau explained he “has a problem because on the one hand he’s trying mostly to convince people, mostly because he sees things advancing to a different place, but all the experts at the nuclear agencies are in the same place and understand that a nuclear deal that isn’t good is a source for many problems.”
“Netanyahu’s problems are understandable but there is a less positive result when Israel is presented separately from the rest of the countries,” concluded the analyst.
