By Will
President Obama released a special video message to the people of Iran wishing them a blessed Nowruz, or Persian new year. If you don't want to watch the video because you faint whenever you see the changemaster, read the transcripts. Don't worry, he doesn't bash the Iranian Special Olympics team.
I know were supposed to be floored by this. Compared to Bush, who always overemphasized animosity with Iran, it is a significant overture. But relative to normal diplomacy, it's not that huge, especially for two countries that tacitly collaborate so often, as Hamid Dabashi argued. The relationship of hostility has been overwhelmingly defined by public posturing more so than actual conflagarations over the past years. These then are just sweet words by Obama, but they follow a legacy of harsher ones.
I am sure the Iranians will eat up his use Farsi at the end and quoting a Persian poet. After this, I could see Obama winning the elections there this spring. Shit, he'll change Iran too.
Of course, Obama-love all depends on the United States having a sensible foreign policy. Any sabre-rattling or bad moves after such an appeal will only heighten cynicism and fuel resentment. It's the risk of raised expectations. Although people in the Middle East like nice talk and this friendliness, words do not blind them to actions to the contra.
I, and the other Palestinians, will be waiting for your Land Day video, Mr. President.
I am sure some of our Irani readers have much more insight than I can offer now. I am working on a take-home exam now so I cannot dedicate the time needed to be informative now. I am curious what readers have to say though. And is this appeal better than Ahmedinejad's public outreach to Americans, i.e. his appearance with Larry King? MA wins on style points for sure. The man puts the "imp" in "pimp."
Update: Nowruz also celebrates the victory of the oppressed over the oppressor, according to this blogger on Kurdistan Commentary who wrote about the struggles of a Kurdish border town. I doubt Obama considered what that may mean symbolically given the history of oppression in US foreign policy.
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