How might Hot Dog Diplomacy influence relations with Iran?
In early June, President Obama offered an invitation to Iranian officials to celebrate the Fourth of July at foreign U.S. embassies.
Now, even with violent protests in Iran causing friction, Obama has left the invitation open, but said at his press conference yesterday, according to Fox News, that it will be up to them to attend:
I think that we have said that if Iran chooses a path that abides by international norms and principles, then we are interested in healing some of the wounds of 30 years in terms of U.S.-Iranian relations. But that is a choice that the Iranians are going to have to make.
Here is a link of the full press conference on June 23 from the New York Times’ web site.
As reported by Fox News, when the invitations were first sent out, the Obama administration had announced that it would be a full participant with Iranian officials in six-nation talks aimed at getting Iran to address concerns about its suspect nuclear program. But considering the recent events, it seems there will probably be even more to talk about during the Fourth of July events, which generally feature speeches about American values, fireworks, hot dogs and hamburgers, according to Fox News.
In what is now being called Hot Dog diplomacy, what do you hope will be discussed during the Fourth of July meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials? Do you think Iranian officials will even show up? Are Obama’s friendly gestures one sided? Should we even be extending a hand? Are Iranians too unwilling to unclench their fist?
How could this invite be good or bad for U.S. foreign relations?
Thank you, jfmoyn. It took 20 posts for someone to finally say something sensible on this topic. Yes, our history with Iran is badly stained and strained. Our ignorance of their culture, our incessant meddling and propping up of the Shah in the 1960’s brought on the hostage crisis and helped fuel the Islamic Revolution. We have an uncanny skill for backing the wrong horse. Then we illegally funneled arms to the same cut of extremists we are up against now.
When will we ever learn? And note, all you bashers of anything liberal — it was Republican administrations that made these messes in the Middle East that are now left for Obama to clean up — dating back to Nixon playing footsie with the Shah, GHW Bush and Iran-Contra, and Junior, of course, being Junior and making everyone who didn’t already hate us jump on the bandwagon of derision. Obama is on the right track, and I wish him luck.
I don’t see progress happening any time soon. There is simply too much to overcome, too much mutual distrust and hangover enmity from too many years gone by. If we do sit at the table with them at all, it will be a major breakthrough, but tangible benefits will be hard to come by. Besides - with Korea threatening war, and we KNOW they have nuclear capabilities, we’ve got bigger fish to fry.
Iranians are least fortunate to still be allowed to protest. In the USA protestors are kept miles away from any event and locked behind 10 foot high fences, no signs or banners…. Iranians are far more free and democratic.
Great idea! Send former President Carter as a special envoy and he can apologize for the failed hostage rescue attempt he approved. Hillary could attend and re-gift that big push-button that didn’t go over so well with the Russkies. They could use it to start the fireworks display. Think of the possibilities!
Newsflash…Invitations revoked.
It’s going to take more than burgers, brats, beer and BBQ to smooth over this neighborhood disagreement.
“Iranians are least fortunate to still be allowed to protest. In the USA protestors are kept miles away from any event and locked behind 10 foot high fences, no signs or banners…. Iranians are far more free and democratic.
— Free Speech Zones ”
You are an idiot. Iranians are being slaughtered in the streets by their government for protesting.
Invite’em, by all means. But make sure they go through a metal detector first. . .