Talks and Stands

This week, the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly will take place in the "world's capital" New York City. Leaders from many nations will join their representatives as the UN opens its 69th session since the end of WWII. This will create a nightmare in The City with regard to traffic, security, etc, which the NYPD handles with its usual aplomb.

Generally, the President of the United States, Democrat or Republican, uses this occasion to address the Assembly and offer his view of the world and his vision for achieving peace in the future.

President Obama will, again, make his obligatory trek to New York as leader of the host country, this time with an opportunity to really bring issues in the Middle East forward by sitting with the new President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani to discuss differences between our governments. President Obama must remember that President Rouhani is not able to speak for himself. He must ultimately meet with the Iranian theocratic head of state, Ayatollah Khamenei, to resolve problems in the American-Iranian relationship.

The press, of course, is playing this up as if all the problems facing the world could be resolved by the end of the week, if only President Obama is flexible in dealing with his Iranian counterpart. The reality, of course, is that officially at least, the US and Iran have not spoken since November, 1979. So to think by sitting down with Iran's leader now will wash away 35 years of distrust and hatred is foolish.

However, it does make sense to have a first conversation, which could form the basis of an outline toward a goal of future talks. It really is necessary to take JFK's advice, "Let Us Begin" and take the first step in a journey of 1,000 miles. The current dynamic has shown itself to be woefully unproductive.

If there is a chance to downplay the heightened tensions, never mind achieving lasting peace, the President  must at least make an effort now. If he doesn't, the world will greet its next nuclear power with extreme trepidation, since Iran believes it had nothing to lose in the status quo and everything to gain, with the power of its religion on its side.

So. Let us wish President Obama well this week as he represents our interests in any talks he holds with President Rouhani. But let us hope he remains strong by being willing to walk away should the talks reveal themselves to be nothing more than a photo-op for Iran.

Just remember, what would JFK OR Reagan do?