Trita Parsi talks about the possibility of diplomatic talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which he views as a consequence of the Biden administration’s somewhat less aggressive stance toward the Middle East. People often allege that American military involvement abroad keeps the world safer; in reality, Parsi explains, it is only when the U.S. pulls back from conflict that countries must resort instead to diplomacy. He hopes Biden will make a commitment to ending some of America’s forever wars and, above all, find a solution to the desperate humanitarian crisis in Yemen that America helped cause.
Discussed on the show:
“Why Mohammed bin Salman Suddenly Wants to Talk to Iran” (Foreign Policy)
“The Houthis Are Not Hezbollah – Foreign Policy” (Foreign Policy)
Trita Parsi talks about the state of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. President Trump, of course, made a point of withdrawing from the JCPOA and increasing hostilities with Iran, deliberately parting ways with one of President Obama’s signature issues. But the Biden administration, says Parsi, seems serious about reestablishing diplomatic relationships with Iran, especially as they continue to demonstrate advanced nuclear capabilities. Contrary to the common narrative, Parsi explains, it isn’t America’s cruel and futile sanctions regime that brings the Iranian government to the negotiating table, it is the Iranian nuclear program that brings America to the table. Naturally, peace between any nuclear armed countries is good for global safety.
Discussed on the show:
“Biden Team Seeks a Way Out of Nuclear Standoff With Iran” (Foreign Policy)
Trita Parsi discusses President Trump’s recent announcement of a troop withdrawal from Iraq. Parsi is hesitant to fully endorse this move, explaining that while troop reductions are obviously good, such individual tactical moves, in order to be truly effective, must be part of a larger strategy of peace. Trump, instead, has repeatedly escalated tensions in other regions, even as he withdraws troops elsewhere, with the result that his foreign policy often results in, at best, a net wash for detente.
Trita Parsi discusses John Bolton’s tenure in the Trump administration, during which time he worked tirelessly to sabotage any form of negotiation between the United States and Iran. Bolton is a fierce advocate for America’s alliance with Israel, says Parsi, which often means acting in ways that are actually quite harmful to American interests. Netanyahu, Parsi explains, worries that any peace between the U.S. and Iran would threaten Israel’s position as the dominant superpower in the Middle East, and it would no longer be so easy for them to accomplish the things the Netanyahu government wants to do, like annexing more and more Palestinian territory. Unless you have the warped neocon worldview, however, Scott and Parsi agree that attempted American hegemony in the Middle East can only mean disaster for the true interests of the American people.
Trita Parsi comes back on the show to recap the Quincy Institute’s recent conference in Washington D.C., which put pro-restraint and pro-interventionist figures on panels together to debate the merits of America’s foreign policy status quo. Some from the antiwar movement have been critical of Parsi’s organization for not being radical enough, but Parsi reiterates that an “inside game” is going to look different from an “outside game”, and that while the absolutely pure antiwar position is valuable to the movement, it’s also important to engage with those on the inside of American policymaking in a way that actually allows the ideas from both sides to be openly debated. Parsi and Scott consider the conference a success, and look forward to more events of the same type in the future.
Scott talks to Trita Parsi about an event being hosted next week by Parsi’s organization, the Quincy Institute, which will pit advocates of a restrained foreign policy against war hawks in a series of panel discussions. The event is Wednesday, February 26 in Washington D.C. Parsi says that although much of the American populace favors a restrained foreign policy, the beltway is dominated by pro-war neoconservatives. Valuable as it is to have outsider writers and activists calling for change, Parsi also wants to be sure there are people on the inside advocating the same thing. His institute seeks to do so.
Trita Parsi explains why he thinks that President Trump’s clear signal that he doesn’t want to go to war with Iran has sent a message to American allies like Saudi Arabia that they should now pursue diplomacy instead of war. Some assume that without a strong U.S. military presence in the Middle East, the region will fall apart. Parsi says it is quite the opposite, and that these countries are perfectly capable of getting along with each other without our involvement. Most recently, the Iraqi government has voted to kick American troops out, as they desperately want to avoid becoming the battlefield for a war between the U.S. and Iran.
Discussed on the show:
“As the Assassination of Iran’s Suleimani Shows, the United States Is the Main Spoiler of Peace in the Middle East” (Foreign Policy)
Trita Parsi assesses the current risk of America going to war with Iran, given all the recent pressure from President Trump’s advisers to do so. Parsi reminds us that America has no real reason to fear Iran’s civilian nuclear program, since they were already signatories to the Non-Proliferation Treaty long before President Obama’s JCPOA. The pressure to attack them simply comes from wanting to appease the strategic interests of Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Discussed on the show:
“Ret. Col. Macgregor: Attacking Iran Would Provoke a War, Create a Coalition Of The Willing Against Us” (RealClearPolitics)
Trita Parsi talks about his book, Treacherous Alliance, which details the complicated political dealings of Iran, Israel, and the United States in the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. Most of us forget how closely aligned Israel and Iran were before Bush Jr. and Obama’s “redirection,” after which Iran is seen as the ultimate evil power in the Middle East.
Trita Parsi talks about President Trump’s efforts to use sanctions to pressure the Iranian people into overthrowing their government. Parsi and Scott believes this strategy is futile, likening it to the possibility of Americans overthrowing our entire system of republican democracy out of frustration with a particular president. Trump initially boasted about how well his oil sanctions were working, but the Iranian economy quickly rallied, partly due to waivers allowing 11 countries to keep buying Iranian oil. Parsi worries that these sanctions could be a tepid attempt at “diplomacy” (not actually what sanctions are), which those who favor war with Iran can then point to as evidence of the need for armed conflict.
Discussed on the show:
“Trump’s international anti-Iran coalition looks like it’s falling apart. He doesn’t have a back-up plan.” (NBC)
Trita Parsi gives his opinion on the recent Ahvaz attack, which he believes was not coordinated by ISIS, even though they have claimed responsibility. Instead, it has the trappings of a coordinated political ploy, possibly by Saudi Arabia or the UAE. Parsi and Scott also lament President Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement.
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