- Home
- About Us
- Contributors
- Departments
- Topics
- Back Issues
- Weekly Archives
- AmSpecBlog
- Subscribe
- Newsletter
- Advertise
- Donate
- Contact Us
- Daily Digest
- Templeton Essays
AmSpecBlog
Is Obama Imposing Preconditions on Iran?
If you look at the transcript of today's Obama press conference, there are three words you won't find: "tough, direct diplomacy." Those words, you may recall, have been used by Obama throughout last year's election and during his first few months in office to describe his approach to engaging Iran. But today, two things were apparent: 1) He is more forcefully condemning the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on protesters and 2) He is starting to impose preconditions on engaging Iranian leaders.
“The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, the beatings and imprisonments of the last few days," Obama said at the outset of the press conference. "I strongly condemn these unjust actions.”
He went on to say of the protesters that, "Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history."
Asked how recent developments in Iran would affect his policy of talking to Iranians, Obama put the ball in the court of the Iranian leadership.
“We have provided a path whereby Iran can reach out to the international community, engage and become a part of international norms," he said. "It is up to them to make a decision as to whether they choose that path. What we’ve been seeing over the last several days, and the last couple of weeks, obviously is not encouraging in terms of the path that this regime may choose to take.”
This is a very clear policy shift, and isn't too far off from where the Bush administration was, at least during the second term. At the very minimum, the policy of engaging Iran is now in a holding pattern.
Comments
Leave a Comment
Are you in a mob?
The Democrats say Obamacare opponents are a mob. Are they right?
Participating in this survey will subscribe you to the American Spectator email newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Tim| 6.23.09 @ 4:32PM
Not exactly Rambo, but better than nothing.
Ahmadinegeddon.
Sadie| 6.23.09 @ 4:59PM
"This is a very clear policy shift"
May I respectfully disagree? This is an acknowledgement of American public opinion. The 4th of July invites to the Iranian embassies is still on per the White House.
Pete| 6.23.09 @ 5:45PM
This clown will SAY anything...I have to agree with Sadie. Keep an eye on what he does before you infer some sort of policy shift.
Old Texican| 6.23.09 @ 8:26PM
Oh Sadie!
Speaking of "American opinion"....watch this clown go screaming down the drain-pipe when SERIOUS American opinion makes itself heard.
A lot of Americans have been giving this clown the benefit of the doubt.
When they look up from their REAL lives and take a look................ohhhh! girl!
Best regards
stu.b.con| 6.24.09 @ 9:40AM
Hello! In the immortal words of Jim Geraghty, all of the messiah's pronouncements come with an expiration date. His puppet masters have their licked their middle fingers, placed it in the wind and found Americans disturbed by the tepid moral relativism of the obama's response. Hence the minor up in the ante. Of course once the state run media goes wall to wall with the health care boondoggle....who knows?
winter boots| 8.6.09 @ 9:41PM
Australia UGG. Have a good reputation and quality. Now that winter boots are sale in very hot.
Friends, autumn has come, winter is also not far from the pace, you do need a pair of Boots? We have here the best quality boots and the price of thecheap boots . Also to Free Shipping and taxes and fees.1 Week Delivery To You Door! Welcome to buy!
jordan shoes| 8.6.09 @ 9:42PM
Air Jordans
cheap dunk shoes
Chanel Handbags
Coach Handbag
LV Handbags
Air Force 1
Air Max Shoes
Dunk SB Shoes
Supra Shoes
UGG Classic Cardy
Discount UGG Boot
NFL jerseys| 9.2.09 @ 11:18PM
It is a wonderful article,I like it!Welcome to read following news: NFL jerseys,Photoshop CS2,ghd Hair Straightener,Adobe Photoshop CS4.