This article details the trips and agenda's of some of the United States most illustrious diplomats, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, are making in order to combat Iran's nuclear energy program. The diplomats are heading to Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar "in order to reassure Iran’s neighbors that the United States will stand firm against Tehran, and to enlist other countries in a global effort to put pressure on the Iranian authorities." The US plans on imposing sanctions on Iran, and wants support from the surrounding states.
This article clearly shows the liberal approach to international affairs. The United States is turning to the international community for help in punishing Iran through non-violent means. It is trying to unite Iran's neighbors in opposition because the US needs its help in imposing effective sanctions. States uniting for a common cause is one of the common traits. However, I feel as though there are definite realist underpinnings here. While it is not the best situation for Iran to have nuclear capabilities, they are not the first state to do so. I feel as though the US is trying to limit Iran's power in order to keep it from being a Middle Eastern hegemon. It no longer has as much competition from Iraq or Afghanistan, thanks to the US. If the Middle East becomes more unstable, Iran has the power of becoming a regional hegemon. While one could argue that this is not a realist situation because Iran does not have a conventionally "rational" leader, I believe that the US' liberal policies simply cover realist intentions.
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ReplyDeleteYuhui said...
ReplyDeleteI think it is hard to say whether US's liberal policies are simply to cover its realist intentions, for in this case whether US is for liberal intentions or realist intentions, it will behave the same way. We need to find some cases where US's policies are for realist intentions only.But this is pretty hard to find.
But I agree that US policies on Iran are compatible with its liberal traditions. It tries to enlist other countries' support on sactions against Iran.
But what if Iran ignored UN's sanctions? Will US go to war with Iran? After all, a Iran without nuclear weapon is much easier to deal with.