Engagement With Islamists Pays Off
Abbas Barzegar, The Guardian | October 23, 2009
Nuclear talks with Iran have progressed slowly but show that engagement is the best strategy. ++ Although Iran's acquisition of advanced nuclear technology is inevitable, talks can assure that Iran's program is brought under IAEA supervision. ++ Although "engagement may seem to play to the hand of Islamist foes in the short term, in the long run it guarantees the de-radicalisation of Islamist politics across the region." ++ But Western strategies need to be aligned, as current inconsistencies risk undermining diplomatic efforts.
