Photo: Christopher Brown-Syed
Another glaring misfortune, like many relationships that erode, is the inability to engage and communicate with Iran. Traditionally used as a foreign policy tool to persuade nations to negotiate, economic sanctions in Iran were touted as a “failure” by Ahmadinejad, resulting in an uncooperative Iran. Although the U.S. has come far by gradually changing its rhetoric towards Iran, where it is “perhaps doing less yelling at each other”, hostility still remains as Limbert expressed doubt that people can “exchange letters in a professional way”, indicating a strained relationship. Sadly, little progress has been made since the last 30 years.
General Sir David Richards, head of the British Army, said Sunday Britain and its allies will not defeat the Taliban and should soon open peace talks with insurgents in Afghanistan. He said he believed the time had come for negotiations with Nato’s enemies to pave the way for eventual withdrawal of troops. “There’s always been a point at which you start to negotiate with each other,” Gen Sir David said.
Europe’s climate chief said Wednesday that the United States is lagging behind countries like China, though European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard said the climate legislation unveiled Wednesday by Senators Kerry and Lieberman was a step in the right direction.
The White House emphasized a strong bilateral relationship with Karzai Tuesday, but Wednesday’s meeting was fraught with tension over the Afghan endgame strategy.
