Questions about Iran’s Diplomacy in the Last Persian Year
By Mahdi Mohtashami, foreign affairs analyst.
In no country diplomacy rests only on the shoulders of the foreign ministry. A network of state apparatus and political figures aid the foreign ministry accomplish diplomatic objectives clarified in policy documents. To a large extent, the level of diplomatic achievement depends on the quality of long-term planning and strategies developed.
Constructive and interactive policies, détente and regional cooperation are key factors which facilitate meeting our objectives in diplomacy. Diplomatic staffs’ knowledge and efficiency is also vital to success, a factor our diplomatic apparatus once used to have.
To analyze the record of Iranian diplomacy in the last Persian year, we should first look at Iran’s interaction with its neighbors. Despite frequent visits to certain regional states (such as Syria), assigning a straight As to Iran’s diplomatic profile is not something a typical diplomatic observer would do.
Let’s take a look around us. Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen and Palestine remained Middle East’s largest challenges. Iran’s regional status, its role in Iraq and Afghanistan and how it used Middle East developments to advance national interests should be discussed to see if the Iranian diplomatic apparatus made up an acceptable record for itself.
Iran’s performance in international organizations and institutions should be also examined. How successful was Iran in forging a supportive alliance, particularly regarding its nuclear program? Did it manage to become a member of powerful international decision-making bodies?
Iran’s interaction with extraregional states, such as the European countries, also needs a deep analysis. Within the last year, the international area was ripe with diplomatic opportunities. Were any of those chances seized by the diplomatic apparatus to serve our national interests? The compromise between US and Russia over the missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, and the diplomatic game between China and America on sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program are textbook examples of how other countries deal to save their own interests.
An efficient diplomacy won’t let the country become a pawn in the hands of powerful international forces.
Iran’s shuttle diplomacy made serious efforts in the last Persian year (1388) but whether it was successful or not is an issue which needs further discussion.
Constructive and interactive policies, détente and regional cooperation are key factors which facilitate meeting our objectives in diplomacy. Diplomatic staffs’ knowledge and efficiency is also vital to success, a factor our diplomatic apparatus once used to have.
To analyze the record of Iranian diplomacy in the last Persian year, we should first look at Iran’s interaction with its neighbors. Despite frequent visits to certain regional states (such as Syria), assigning a straight As to Iran’s diplomatic profile is not something a typical diplomatic observer would do.
Let’s take a look around us. Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen and Palestine remained Middle East’s largest challenges. Iran’s regional status, its role in Iraq and Afghanistan and how it used Middle East developments to advance national interests should be discussed to see if the Iranian diplomatic apparatus made up an acceptable record for itself.
Iran’s performance in international organizations and institutions should be also examined. How successful was Iran in forging a supportive alliance, particularly regarding its nuclear program? Did it manage to become a member of powerful international decision-making bodies?
Iran’s interaction with extraregional states, such as the European countries, also needs a deep analysis. Within the last year, the international area was ripe with diplomatic opportunities. Were any of those chances seized by the diplomatic apparatus to serve our national interests? The compromise between US and Russia over the missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, and the diplomatic game between China and America on sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program are textbook examples of how other countries deal to save their own interests.
An efficient diplomacy won’t let the country become a pawn in the hands of powerful international forces.
Iran’s shuttle diplomacy made serious efforts in the last Persian year (1388) but whether it was successful or not is an issue which needs further discussion.