Speculations on America’s Intentions in Launching a “Virtual” US Embassy
Like every other administration, the Obama administration is under pressure over the 2012 presidential election. US presidential campaigns become increasingly heated one year prior to the elections and in turn affect US international and foreign affairs. Candidates’ foreign policies toward US enemies are amongst issues that can make or break a candidate during ongoing debates.
Democrat and Republican candidates owe much of their success to their foreign policy, in particular their strategy in dealing with the US’ foreign enemies. Although during the previous presidential campaign in the US, Obama’s domestic policies and economic plans were considered more favorable than other candidates, it was his approach to foreign policy that set him apart from other candidates. His anti-war stance was in tune with the majority of American voters to the point that he also became the favored candidate of some Republican voters.
By finding alternative strategies to war, Obama has proved to be a nimble politician with a good sense for opportunity. Washington’s ability to engage in any wars or even impose sanctions such as ones that were imposed on the Iranian Central Bank or Iranian oil has been limited by issues like economic turmoil in the US and Europe, ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as confrontations from Republican critics within the country.
As election day approaches, Obama is attempting to clean his reputation and get the upper hand in the presidential debates by pointing out the positive aspects of his last 3 years as president in office. Amongst which is the way Obama is dealing with Iran’s nuclear program, an issue that has been picked up by the mainstream media and is of concern to Israeli lobbyists in Washington. Similar to previous US presidents, Obama believes this topic could turn into his Achilles heel and that if he shows any weakness in regards to this issue he will lose the majority vote.
During the past few months Obama has increased his political activities on Iran and by different means he is adding pressure on Tehran. He plans to highlight his anti-Iranian activities in the field of human rights, the nuclear issue and terrorism. Last Thursday, during an announcement he mentioned: “Today, Iran has become isolated from the international community and the toughest sanctions have been applied”.
Obama’s accusation of Iran’s alleged terror plot on the Saudi diplomat by the Qods Force that led to other allegations resulted in Iranian reaction in the UN. These allegations are not mutually exclusive from Obama’s efforts to get reelected. He is aiming to convince voters that he has been successful in isolating Iran.
Yet during this back and forth conflict between the two countries that even led to US affirmation of possible military intervention in Iran, the US state department announced that it has launched a virtual embassy in Farsi for Iranians on the Internet. Under what circumstances has the US switched its aggressive policies on Iran to diplomacy?
Some officials have labeled this as America’s attempt to acknowledge its wrongdoing in cutting ties with Tehran. Others see this as a US conspiracy to fill in the vacuum left by the British embassy in Tehran.
During the past two years America’s direction in its foreign policy and diplomacy has been subject to change. President Ahmadinejad’s announcements of his willingness to engage in debates with America were left unanswered by Washington. Similarly, US efforts to spark relations with Tehran faced a dead end. Following these disappointing attempts, the US decided on altering its diplomatic approach to Iran by addressing the Iranian public rather than its political figures. For instance, in a number of humanitarian statements - including the Nowruz messages- Obama directly addressed the people of Iran. It seems the launch of the virtual US embassy for Iranians is steeped in the same political vein.