Separating propaganda, hype and disinformation from Iran’s real objectives is critical. Unfortunately, too many already believe that Mr. Rouhani’s election marked a substantive rather than a cosmetic policy shift. Instead of blustering about Iran’s nuclear program and threatening Israel, Mr. Rouhani has sounded conciliatory, carefully using his first weeks in office to cloud Western memories of his predecessor, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
President Rouhani knows what his Western audience wants to hear. As Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator in 2003-05, he followed the same playbook, and it worked. By offering what appeared to be concessions, Iran acquired precious time and legitimacy to overcome scientific and technical glitches in its nuclear-weapons program, particularly at Isfahan’s uranium-conversion facility.
In articles and speeches, Mr. Rouhani boasted of his successes. In 2006, he taunted the West, saying “by creating a calm environment, we were able to complete the work on Isfahan.” Even such open disdain has not triggered enough U.S. or European embarrassment to protect against being suckered again. Iran’s “moderates” are now targeting the Obama soft spot in Western opposition to Iran’s nuclear program, and methodically exploiting it.
In marked contrast, Mr. Obama enters negotiations gravely weakened by his Syria failures. Yet soothed by his media choir, he seems unaware how deeply he has been wounded. He confidently believes he is well-placed to treat with the ayatollahs despite a series of foreign-policy failures.Years ago, I won a Valentine Day's poetry contest at a local book store. Contestants were asked to complete variations of "Roses are red/Violets are blue." In my case, I chose "Roses are Red/Tulips are Yellow." My winning couplet: "If you'll be the bow/I'll be the cello."
Very romantic, no? But applied re Rouhani "the bow" and Obama "the cello," it takes on a far more sinister tone.
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