U.S. Talking to the Axis of Evil

The American FlagWith so much going on politically within the U.S. it’s amazing that there is even time for Obama and his administration to look into international politics.

Remember during the election when people were questioning whether Obama had the experience and skill to be good at foreign relations- well, it seems he is proving that he most certainly does. Looking toward a major deal with China in November, still enjoying positive approval numbers around the world, and making headway with two countries that George W. Bush so famously branded as “Axis of Evil” members, this week marks two big international diplomatic successes for Obama.

Iran recently said no to nuclear talks, but is apparently reversing their position. This is major progress after years of resistance to any kind of oversight, investigation or cooperation with outside entities, including the U.N. This year a U.N. committee was allowed in and declared that all of Iran’s nuclear dealings were peaceful- the West remains skeptical and has been pushing for more straightforward talks ever since. Iran recently broke with their previous hardline rhetoric, though, offering up a proposal to hold talks with 5 other countries, including the U.S. While Tehran has said that they will not negotiate on nuclear issues, the proposal does represent a window to begin conversations around nuclear issues.

"Clearly, if Iran refuses to negotiate seriously, we - the United States and the international community and the Security Council - can draw conclusions from that. And then based on that, we'll make some judgments in the future," said Philip Crowley, U.S. State Department spokesman.

ProPublica obtained a copy of Iran’s proposal- their statements are general and somewhat vague, but do offer the window that Crowley and others have referred to:

"The Iranian nation is prepared to enter into dialogue and negotiation in order to lay the ground for lasting peace ... and beyond and for the continued progress and prosperity of the nations of the region and the world.”

In kind, the U.S. has been trying to angle for diplomatic relations with North Korea in regard to nuclear issues. North Korea’s multiple missile and other nuclear-related tests this year have stalled six-nation talks that had involved

The U.S. had been saying that they would not enter into nuclear talks again with North Korea unless the country would resume talks with the six-nation group, though now the U.S. is seeming to shift policy somewhat, saying that direct talks with North Korea are possible. According to Philip Crowley: "We are prepared to enter into a bilateral discussion with North Korea. We've made no decisions at this point, other than just to say we are prepared for a bilateral talk, if that will help advance the six-party process.”

Pyongyang is actively enriching uranium and building plutonium-based weapons, and testing them, and generally making everyone else near the Korean peninsula nervous. For that reason alone the fact that the U.S. will talk with North Korea soon is big and potentially important/ effective news. It seems that while things are chaotic in Congress, the U.S. continues to play an effective role in international politics, especially on the nuclear front.