NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/idUSTRE50Q23220090127

President Barack Obama said America was prepared to extend a hand of peace to Iran if it "unclenched its fist" and that the time was ripe for Israel and the Palestinians to resume peace negotiations.

Choosing an Arab station for his first formal TV interview as president, Obama also sought to heal U.S. ties with the Arab and Muslim world, telling them


So, how does NSG feel about sitting at the table with Iran?

I support it 100%. Nothing is being accomplished with our current policey towards the country.

i think we need to.

playing the bully hasnt been particularly effective for us.

Confucius says the ruby sparkles brighter if the raven can persuade it to go for a walk in the moonlight.
Confucius also has a pet dog called max, would anyone here like to meet max?

Go for it Obama you have no other options.

I'm somewhat divided with this. On one hand, I feel that we really should open and talk to countries like Iran instead of going through a bunch of threats, sanctions and the sort. On the other hand, some people will not listen to reason.

It needs to be done. Iran and the US have a strained relationship. Don't need that strain worsening.

might as well though i feel it is unlikely to go anywhere. those who control the Iranian diplomatic efforts have no ability to enforce their agreements. those who control their domestic policy view us as the great Satan. (as though being Satan wasn't bad enough we have to be the great Satan)

might as well though i feel it is unlikely to go anywhere. those who control the Iranian diplomatic efforts have no ability to enforce their agreements. those who control their domestic policy view us as the great Satan. (as though being Satan wasn't bad enough we have to be the great Satan)
yeah

talking to president ahmadenijad isnt talking to the head guy. he'd have to talk to the ayatollah khamenei.

Iranians have been waiting for the US and the West to start talking turkey.
And why stop there? Obama is going to be mending a lot of fences that successive presidents either damaged or didn't get around to repairing.
Hey, Miami Shores might get to visit Cuba on a direct flight from the States.

The Africans are optimistic because Obama's dad is a Kenyan. The Indonesians are cock a hoop that he spent his childhood in an Indonesian school (I bet his Bahasa Indonesia is a little rusty though).

What an interesting man! He embodies the multicultural ethos of American society.

Nothing wrong with talking, but the ground that is given should, currently, be minimal.

yeah
. he'd have to talk to the ayatollah khamenei.

I wish president Obama all the best luck with that. I must say even before they found Islam the Persians were very good at running people they didn't want to talk to around their bureaucracy.
aka
government official A " I am not authorized to make that deal talk to this guy"
Government official B " I am not authorized to negotiate with Foreigners talk to this other guy"
Government official C " Your not authorized to talk to me without first setting up an appointment"
government official D " I am not authorized to set up appointments for foreigners "
Government official E " Your appointment was for Yesterday start over again"

how dare he appease the terrorists!:wink:

Good for him.

I wish president Obama all the best luck with that. I must say even before they found Islam the Persians were very good at running people they didn't want to talk to around their bureaucracy.
aka
government official A " I am not authorized to make that deal talk to this guy"
Government official B " I am not authorized to negotiate with Foreigners talk to this other guy"
Government official C " Your not authorized to talk to me without first setting up an appointment"
government official D " I am not authorized to set up appointments for foreigners "
Government official E " Your appointment was for Yesterday start over again"
oh i dont think he'll try to force the issue. you dont jerk around the president of the US. (unless you are a congressional republican)

oh i dont think he'll try to force the issue. you dont jerk around the president of the US. (unless you are a congressional republican)

Or Osama Bin Laden, or Saddam Hussien, or if you're a Republican politician, or Hillary Clinton or a suicide Bomber, or a Terrorist in general.
By the way i in no way say Hillary Clinton will be a suicide Bomber that is just an unfortunate coincidence that both of whom have or may in the future wish to replace Obama, perhaps in a different way though.

That's right! Iran will be rolling out the red carpet for Barack.

They've waited for someone to talk business with them.

His maiden press conference on an Arabic network was a clear message that he intends a "Glasnost" with the Moslem world.

Why not?

oh i dont think he'll try to force the issue. you dont jerk around the president of the US. (unless you are a congressional republican)

I dont know I was surprised with the difficultly his stimulus package got through.

Iranians have been waiting for the US and the West to start talking turkey.
And why stop there? Obama is going to be mending a lot of fences that successive presidents either damaged or didn't get around to repairing.
Hey, Miami Shores might get to visit Cuba on a direct flight from the States.

The Africans are optimistic because Obama's dad is a Kenyan. The Indonesians are cock a hoop that he spent his childhood in an Indonesian school (I bet his Bahasa Indonesia is a little rusty though).

What an interesting man! He embodies the multicultural ethos of American society.

You make a good point about his embodiment. I'm so glad he's doing all this stuff so far. I mean, he's only been in office a few days and he's already done so much, even if it is largely symbolic. The world was crying out for some excellent symbolism, and it sets him up for some good substance when the US beaurocracy gets around to it.

There will be a domestic reaction to Obama's reforms. But hey! I'm impressed! So far he's been like a new FDR cleaning up the mess that Herbert Hoover left behind.

Ironic, isn't it, that a Hoover made a mess rather than cleaning one up?

There will be a domestic reaction to Obama's reforms. But hey! I'm impressed! So far he's been like a new FDR cleaning up the mess that Herbert Hoover left behind.

Ironic, isn't it, that a Hoover made a mess rather than cleaning one up?

Buddum- TISH!

clearly the terrorists have won now :rolleyes:

High time. It's not that I think magical things will come of it, but it's way past time we started acting like mature adults for a change.

talking to president ahmadenijad isnt talking to the head guy. he'd have to talk to the ayatollah khamenei.
Or wait and see the outcome of the upcoming Iranian presidential elections.

Or wait and see the outcome of the upcoming Iranian presidential elections.
whoever the new guy is, he'll still be taking orders from the ayatollahs

I also agree that direct talks should go on between the US and Iran.

We don't negotiate with terrorist. Of course this is a good thing. I just wanted to say that.

whoever the new guy is, he'll still be taking orders from the ayatollahs
Sure, but the President still packs a punch in his appearance and language to the outside world.

He's not unimportant in the equation.

Sure, but the President still packs a punch in his appearance and language to the outside world.

He's not unimportant in the equation.
no and i do find it very interesting that there is a strong moderate trend in iran that does win office from time to time. i would love to have a moderate elected there even if he isnt the ultimate boss.

Yes, we need to stop our confrontational tone.

Why is it that whenever I envision Obama meeting Ahmadinejad, I see him coming out of the meeting and immediately ordering an invasion of Iran?

Oh, right. Ahmadinejad is a premium grade-A nutjob.

Iranians have been waiting for the US and the West to start talking turkey.
And why stop there? Obama is going to be mending a lot of fences that successive presidents either damaged or didn't get around to repairing.
Hey, Miami Shores might get to visit Cuba on a direct flight from the States.

The Africans are optimistic because Obama's dad is a Kenyan. The Indonesians are cock a hoop that he spent his childhood in an Indonesian school (I bet his Bahasa Indonesia is a little rusty though).

What an interesting man! He embodies the multicultural ethos of American society.
Don't forget Europe. He could have won "President of Europe" if there was such a position.

Heck the only nation who doesn't seem to give a damn is Russia.

Yeah, I think its the only option at this point, since Invading it isnt exactly practical atm....


Besides, whats the point of putting "Sanctions" on a country that doesnt buy or sell anything from us? Ive never seen anything that said "made in Iran" ever....

Oh come on, you invoked Family Guy on that poll!! That's not fair!

We don't negotiate with terrorist. Of course this is a good thing. I just wanted to say that.

Good thing i quited you, didnt notice your sneaky whited text there :P

Good on Obama for talking to Iran, maybe some good will come of it.

Don't forget Europe. He could have won "President of Europe" if there was such a position.

Heck the only nation who doesn't seem to give a damn is Russia.

Rumor is that Medvedev invited Obama to a DDR party :p

Yes, we should talk to the Iranians. Funny thing about it is that we never tried to talk to them before, we just always treated them like the scum of the earth. Its a good time to begin open treatise with all Middle Eastern/Asian/African/Hell all of 'em! nations that we are not openly engaged in any conflict with. For instance if we want Iran to not have nuclear weapons, and Iran wants a modern infrastructure with nuclear generated power, we help them build the damn generator. Always try diplomacy first, if Diplomacy fails try talking tough, if that fails punch the SOB in the face. We skipped the diplomacy and went straight to the tough talk far too many times.

I am in favor of using diplomacy to deal with Iran. I highly recommend Obama meet with Ahmadinejad ASAP.

One reason for this is that Israeli elections are in March. Half the reason Israel hasn't attacked Iran already is internal political turmoil. The war in Gaza shows that Israel is running low on patience. If Obama hasn't made progress on the diplomatic front by the time Israel has a new government, especially if Netanyahu and Likud win, they may consider a strike without US backing.

So, how does NSG feel about sitting at the table with Iran?

I support it 100%. Nothing is being accomplished with our current policey towards the country.

Also, even in the worst-case scenario, Obama gets free pistachios.

Country Share of 2005 production (tonnes)
Iran 190000
United States 140000
Turkey 60000

Pistachios for diplomacy!

News just in: the entire talk with Ahmadinejad will be in Arabic, Bin Laden will appear by video-conference link, and the only topics on the agenda will be coordinating the destruction of Israel, and how to let the terrorists win without revealing Hussein's secret identity.

News brought to you by Fox News; the Fair and Balanced network.

If nothing else it may slow them down. They seem to be itching for us to invade. They seem to be doing everything they can to provoke us. We need to buy time for a little while.

If nothing else it may slow them down. They seem to be itching for us to invade. They seem to be doing everything they can to provoke us. We need to buy time for a little while.

I highly, highly doubt that Iran actually wants us to invade. Believe it or not the rulers of Iran aren't insane, in fact like most other national leaders they're actually pretty intelligent people. The dickwaving they're doing is more for regional and domestic consumption than for us. It's a delicate balancing act, pissing us off enough to show their people and the other Middle Eastern states that they're tough, but not enough to get us to actually do anything about it.

http://www.reuters.com/article/vcCandidateFeed1/idUSTRE50Q23220090127



So, how does NSG feel about sitting at the table with Iran?

I support it 100%. Nothing is being accomplished with our current policey towards the country.

Yep. It's better than playing bad cop.

Finally.

I highly, highly doubt that Iran actually wants us to invade. Believe it or not the rulers of Iran aren't insane, in fact like most other national leaders they're actually pretty intelligent people. The dickwaving they're doing is more for regional and domestic consumption than for us. It's a delicate balancing act, pissing us off enough to show their people and the other Middle Eastern states that they're tough, but not enough to get us to actually do anything about it.

Yes and they know just where that line is and they get real close but never go over. If we invade they use it as "See we told you. These guys are no good, we were just minding our own business and they came along and smacked us down." I am sure invading the "holy" land will be used as well.

Bad situation any way you slice it. I think we are destined for conflict only a matter of time. You never know it may turn around, no reason not to try.

Yes and they know just where that line is and they get real close but never go over. If we invade they use it as "See we told you. These guys are no good, we were just minding our own business and they came along and smacked us down." I am sure invading the "holy" land will be used as well.

Yeah it's part of their passive-aggressive suicidal-nationalistic conspiracy. Their one goal is to have their people slaughtered, their holy sites damaged or occupied and their own power destroyed - just so they can say, 'I told you so.'

It's perverse, but you know how twisted all those nations that we are forced to invade are - they keep leading us on, asking for it really!


Bad situation any way you slice it. I think we are destined for conflict only a matter of time. You never know it may turn around, no reason not to try.

I think the idea of "destined for conflict" is silly and fatalistic.

I think the idea of "destined for conflict" is silly and fatalistic.

Jews and Muslims in Palestine?

Jews and Muslims in Palestine?

They worked well with each other in the 1920's.

Jews and Muslims in Palestine?

There certainly are some Jews and some Muslims who also share this belief in 'destined for conflict.' Not all, however, and I am not among them.