Iran and Cultural Diplomacy

In a world characterized by the United States’ increasingly intolerant foreign policy, the world of academia offered no alternative Monday. As if US-Iran relations were not already on ice; Columbia University President, Lee Bollinger’s tone and phrasing in addressing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad merely mirrored the current zero-sum resolve evident in US-Iran relations which has failed to constructively engage the Iranian government in a healthy debate.

What went wrong? Upon watching the monologues, one question came to mind, “What future are we forecasting when one of the world’s leading academic institutions’, renowned for innovative approaches to international relations, most brilliant tactic is the rhetoric of force?”

People turn to the United States for answers that lead us away from the chaos and despair. The world is looking for that higher ground upon which we can explore alternatives more humane and mature than the threats and policies that lead to war. We are in need of perspective and insight on the greater picture, the ideologies and cultures of this world that will help us return to the practice of cultural tolerance and diplomacy.

Iranians are not difficult people to predict or understand. Their culture and ideologies are not hidden, nor do I believe they pose a direct or indirect threat against the US, our beliefs, our integrity. While their enmity with regard to Israel might have raised an eyebrow during the Cold War, Russia has ceased to be our greatest enemy. Israel has the power to transform the situation in the Middle East and should they choose to, the United States would be wise to advise, and step aside. The Muslim and Arab worlds are well aware that Israel has enough might to maintain its presence and boundaries on its own. This move would alleviate one source of tension fueling terrorism in this world, lessen the Muslim-Western divide, address Iran’s greatest grievance, and leave the United States with the sensible option of supporting the rights and freedoms of the citizens of Iran, using the only language they will respond to, cultural diplomacy.

Regardless of the Iranian government’s track record of human rights abuse and potential involvement in Iraq, nuclear ambitions, American academia, failed to acknowledge a path beyond the contentious tactics dominating Bush’s legacy Monday. We were defensive, and in attacking the President of Iran while he was vulnerable and alone, we failed showing him we were secure in our own country. Our diction and tone failed to employ diplomacy. More importantly however, is how we enabled him to succeed. We allowed the President of Iran to highjack our media in an effort to drive a wedge between the citizens of the U.S. and her people. We enabled Ahmadinejad the perfect platform to appeal to the moderate Muslims of this world. Our enraged questioning provided Ahmadinejad the clear path of taking the proverbial high-road making numerous references to God and America’s great mistake in taking on Iraq, strengthening his position despite the many statements that seemed absurd.

While no one can deny that Iran might be working against the U.S. in Iraq, why would we expect anything less? If Iran invaded Canada wouldn’t the U.S. send our support to keep the Iranians at bay? There is no love affair between Canadians and citizens of the United States, however, against more powerful foes, alliances emerge. The United States is the only power in the world posing a direct threat to Iran’s power and position regionally.

The Iranian people and culture have withstood many tests of time surviving greater adversaries than Ahmadinejad or the United States’ hegemony. They have the power to transform Iran into the regions most successful moderate republic if that is the future in which they believe. The most effective defense against the Iranian government the United States can wield; is understanding - the Iranian culture and mindset, the government’s resolve, their weaknesses, and how opposition groups refusing to operate within our said parameters and mindsets are influenced. Cultural diplomacy requires knowledge and insight that often results from the research conducted through our renowned universities like Columbia. Next time the opportunity arises to engage Iranians in a constructive debate, I hope the role of cultural diplomacy will reemerge and succeed.