Iraq and Region Update for November 14, 2008
I. In Congress (the 111th Congress, that is)
The Senate, at least, plans to convene for a lame duck session next week. It will likely take up several urgent land management bills already passed by the House and possibly an economic stimulus package. The House may or may not be called into session to consider a new economic stimulus bill. In any case, this final session of the 110th Congress will likely be brief and narrowly focused. Members will not again debate the crucial issues surrounding Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and the Arab-Israeli conflict until the 111th Congress convenes on January 6.
Attendees at FCNL's Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, this week are visiting Capitol Hill and urging their senators and representatives to support U.S. diplomatic engagement with Iran without preconditions. FCNL supporters are asking their senators and representatives to (1) speak and write to their constituents, colleagues, and the new administration about the need for diplomatic engagement with Iran without preconditions, and (2) support legislation in the 111th Congress to make diplomatic engagement with Iran, urged by five former secretaries of state, the policy of the United States.
We are particularly encouraging meetings with representatives' offices, since most of the "all stick, no carrot" approaches to Iran have originated in the House.
Engagement with Iran may be the most important policy change that the United States can make to facilitate a prompt U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, prevent war with Iran, help stabilize Afghanistan, and open the door wider to Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace.
President-Elect Barack Obama has said he will engage with Iran, but he has also threatened stiffer sanctions against Iran that could undermine diplomatic efforts. Congress has so far been much keener to call for more sanctions than to support talking to Iran. Much more congressional support for diplomacy with Iran is needed if our two countries are to avoid a military confrontation.
II. Keep on Lobbying
Add your voice to those of FCNL's supporters on Capitol Hill this week. Write to your representative and urge him or her to support engagement with Iran without preconditions.
III. Articles, Documents, and Reports
FCNL supporters are giving their senators and representatives two recently published reports that argue persuasively for engagement with Iran.
- Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World
A panel that included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, former Executive Director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Thomas Dine, and former U.S. Special Middle East Envoy Dennis Ross prepared this report. It says that the United States should "elevate diplomacy as the primary tool for resolving key conflicts involving Muslim countries" and "engage with Iran to explore the potential for agreements that could increase regional security, while seeking Iran's full compliance with its nuclear nonproliferation commitments." - Time for a U.S.-Iranian "Grand Bargain" This report by Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett-two Bush administration officials who participated in quiet U.S.-Iran talks from 2001 to 2003-argues that "the next U.S. administration will not be able to achieve any of its high-profile policy goals in the Middle East-in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Arab-Israeli arena-or with regard to energy security-without putting U.S.-Iranian relations on a more positive trajectory."
We encourage you to read these reports and mention insights you gleaned from them in your message to your representative.