Iran: Time For a New Approach.

• Author: McSweeney, Dan
• Position: Book review

IRAN: TIME FOR A NEW APPROACH Zbigniew Brzezinski, Robert M. Gates and Suzanne Maloney (New York: Council on Foreign Relations, 2004), 84 pages.

The consensus offered in this bipartisan task force report is that the United States must view the new strategic context offered by American-led incursions in Afghanistan and Iraq as an opportunity to selectively engage Iran diplomatically. The logic here is straightforward: Functioning governments and civil societies in Afghanistan and Iraq, both bordering Iran, represent the common interest of Iran and the United States. Approached correctly, the shared goal of regional stability could become the ingredient missing from a quarter-century of contentious relations between Tehran and Washington.

Eminently pragmatic in its outlook, the report highlights American concerns over Iran's nuclear program, support for terrorism, the relationship between religion and politics in Iran, and the need for political and economic reform in the Middle East. Rejecting the need for a detailed roadmap in Iran-U.S. rapprochement, task force members call for a basic statement of principles to induce better relations.

The report asserts that the current regime in Iran is...