Talks with Europe prelude to talks with US
While Israel is trying to drag Iran into an all-out war, Iran has two paths to take simultaneously. Firstly, it should develop its military technology, as no country in Iran’s position can afford to ignore the necessity of power, regardless of the analysis of international relations. Secondly, since power alone is not enough, Iran should embark on “extensive diplomacy” with the world.
By Kioomars Ashtarian
Political Analyst
Some diplomatic methods have not yielded results, so it is time to try a different approach. Diplomacy is not just about having a number of ambassadors, diplomats, and embassy staff; nor is it solely about negotiating with military power as leverage.
Less powerful countries cannot resolve their major international problems solely through military power. In this regard, one solution for Iran’s foreign policy is to organize its negotiations with the US, centered on Europe, in the form of a “comprehensive diplomacy”, and for bilateral negotiations between Iran and the US to begin, with France and/or Germany in center.
This approach can have positive consequences. Firstly, it provides a middle ground for Iran’s policy of not negotiating directly with the US. The passive mediation of regional countries, such as Oman or Iraq, lacks the diplomatic capacity to develop solutions. Secondly, even if negotiations in Europe take a long time, the “securitization” of the Islamic Republic’s image in a major global diplomatic center will decrease.
In the public eye, the propaganda that Iran is not a “normal” country will be largely neutralized. Moreover, on the sidelines of these negotiations, the possibility of “playing without the ball” for the three countries - Iran, France, and Germany - will increase. In other words, the grounds for non-American diplomacy, independent of the nuclear issue, will expand for developing trilateral relations.
Gradual steps, de-securitization of the country’s image, and a positive balance of international economics are among the main strategies of diplomacy. The reality is that we have many untrodden paths and sometimes, under the influence of rogue groups, we have taken the wrong path. Diplomacy is about opening up paths by creating opportunities.
On the other hand, diplomacy starts from within; that is, the forces active in domestic politics and the type of interaction you have with your people and national human resources is the beginning of your foreign policy and diplomacy. This is the path that the 14th government has taken.
Diplomacy is primarily a national unity from within and a gradual process of national empowerment that begins at the lowest levels of internal and international communication and continues at the highest levels. Now, we can think about the new opportunities that have arisen.
In contrast, however, some individuals within the country, relying on media power, have gone beyond the necessary epic storytelling for any country and have appeared as pressure groups, putting pressure on senior officials.
If you take a look at their statements on social media, you’ll see a wave of self-humiliation due to not entering an all-out war with Israel. It’s as if they see success only in short-term tactics, not in long-term strategies. Like enthusiastic football fans, they expect to win all the time and can’t tolerate even one defeat.
Tactical defeat is catastrophic for them, and they quickly lose their morale. Similarly, strategic failure leads to psychological depression and theoretical crisis. The world of politics is a world of great victories and defeats. What’s important is not to become arrogant in victory or desperate in defeat. What’s important is not to lose your genuine beliefs in defeat and not to collapse from within.
The article first appeared in Sharq newspaper.