How to resolve the conflict with Iran.

• Author: Friedman, Thomas L.
• Position: Brief article

The most crucial, thing we could do to stabilize the Middle East is to resolve the U.S.-Iran conflict. The hostility between the U.S. and Iran since the overthrow of the Shah in 1979 is not organic. By dint of culture, history, and geography, we have a lot of interests in common with Iran's people. Successful negotiations with Iran, not war, would change the region and open up the way to solving the Israel-Palestine conflict, because Iran is the key backer of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and Syria. Iran's help could also be critical for stabilizing Iraq. But for talks with Iran to bear fruit, we must negotiate with...