Calm Mideast to better serve US interests
Trump 2.0 seeking credit for détente with Iran
By Ebrahim Beheshti
Staff writer
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Donald Trump’s “America First” slogan has raised the question of whether the US under his leadership will abandon its interventionist policies and influence on international developments. Specifically, what will be the foreign policy of the new US administration towards the Middle East and the Gaza war? Iran Daily held talks this issue with Davoud Aqaei, a professor of International Relations at the University of Tehran. Aqaei believes that establishing stability and stopping wars will be in line with Trump’s plans and serve US interests best. He also thinks that the conditions are ripe for reducing tensions and resolving differences between Iran and the US.
IRAN DAILY: Regarding the resolution of major crises such as the Ukraine and Gaza wars, many believed that the outcome of the US elections should be awaited. On the other hand, some are convinced that the US is in decline, and the persistence of these crises is a sign of the waning of US influence. Do you think the US’ ability to shape major global developments has declined?
AQAEI: The level of influence of major powers is linked to various factors, such as the policies of Joe Biden, the current US president. Has he effectively utilized US capabilities to resolve crises? However, contrary to the views of some experts who believe the world has entered a multipolar order, I think the US remains a major player in shaping global developments. Even in the current crises, such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, we see that the US has been the most influential power. Other powers, like Europe and China, have been largely inactive, and Russia, embroiled in its own war, has been unable to make a significant impact. As a result, the US remains the dominant player, backed by its military and economic might and capabilities, as other major powers have largely ceded the field.
Some believe that President-elect Donald Trump will focus more on domestic issues, as he has stated in his campaign slogans. Will we see a decrease in Washington’s influence and impact outside of the US, particularly in West Asia, during the Trump era?
The US’ role in global developments will not diminish, but rather change in its approach. Trump has stated that he will seek to stop the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. He has also vowed to restore America’s position as the world’s top power. It appears that in his new term, Trump will attempt to reduce international tensions and cut costs for the US in various crises. Notably, the US has provided significant aid to Ukraine and over $18 billion to the Israeli regime. Logically, if wars are stopped and stability is established, these foreign aid funds can be redirected to welfare and economic issues within the country. Trump aims to increase US interests through this approach. Furthermore, improving relations with Russia could also bring economic benefits for both Moscow and Washington. In reality, when stability is established, the US will not only reduce its crisis-related costs but also better secure its interests.
Since the Obama administration, the US has focused seriously on China. Trump also views China as the main threat to the US and, in the real world, the only power that can challenge US interests. Therefore, Trump will likely focus more on containing China in the international arena. A natural consequence of this focus on China is that the US will stop regional crises like the Ukraine and Gaza wars. Of course, achieving this is no easy task and is not solely dependent on Trump’s will, but it appears that the incoming US president will operate within this framework.
Can the US-Iran relationship also be evaluated within the framework of Trump’s approach; in other words, will Trump pursue a policy of reducing tensions with Iran as well?
Yes, the issue of Iran is also defined within the framework of US foreign policy in West Asia. Moreover, the two countries have experienced a tumultuous relationship over the past four decades. I hope that during the new administrations in Iran and the US, we will see steps taken to reduce tensions and ultimately reach understandings and agreements between the two sides. There is a willingness among Iranian officials to prevent the escalation of tensions with the US. In the past, there have been opportunities to strengthen relations and cooperation that have been missed by both sides. Resolving the differences between Tehran and Washington is in the interest of both parties, and the longer it takes, the more damage will be done to both sides. It appears that the Trump administration is prepared to take a serious decision about its tie with Iran. He is willing to establish a relationship. All US presidents over the past four decades have wanted to be the hero who establishes a relationship with Iran. However, this has not happened yet. Trump, naturally, wants the credit for establishing a bilateral relation with Iran to be recorded in his name. Additionally, this would be a great prestige and success for the Republican Party as well. I hope that the decision-makers in Iran will also make a new assessment about their bond with the US, based on domestic, regional, and international conditions, and within the framework of securing national interests.
Recently, the Iranian president has said that we will eventually come face to face with this country in the regional and international arenas, and it is better to manage this issue ourselves. And the Iranian foreign minister has also said that we will negotiate with the US to secure Iran’s national interests. From your explanations, I understand that reducing tensions and possibly establishing a relationship between Iran and the US will better serve both sides’ interests.
The main plan of President Pezeshkian in the field of foreign policy is constructive engagement with the world and balancing foreign policy. This is a wise approach. The more a country engages with powerful and influential nations and participates in regional and international agreements, conventions, and unions, the more it demonstrates its strength and stature. The path that Iran and the US have taken in the past has not yielded desirable results. What is important is national interest. Iran and Iraq were sworn enemies for eight years and clashed with each other, just as the US and Vietnam fought a historic war, but when national interests came in, Iran and Iraq became close friends, just as the US and Vietnam have also put the past behind them and enjoy good relations now. Enmities and conflicts are not meant to last forever. The art of diplomacy is to build bridges from differences to commonalities and secure interests. It seems that in the new era, the ground has been laid for a new path in the relations between Iran and the US. The interests of both countries lie in the fact that the path of de-escalation and resolving conflicts should be taken seriously.