Iran has historically made swift political U-turns, a tradition that perhaps makes Obama optimistic in his selection of Iran as a possible venue for his major speech.
Obama's election pledge that he would address the Muslim world on a large scale within his first 100 days in office -- and from a Muslim capital -- has inevitably led to some speculation as to the location. Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, is one of the more popular guesses.
Obama's speech will be made in an attempt to reconcile Muslims and Christians, whose differences surfaced with the Sept. 11 attacks staged against major US targets followed by a US-led war in Afghanistan and efforts in Iraq against extreme fundamentalist Islamic militants.
The US administration under Obama, which took office on Jan. 20, strives to follow through on its pledges to return to multilateralism and to seek reconciliation with Muslims. President Obama's decision to pay a visit to NATO member Turkey, overwhelmingly Muslim but secular by Constitution, during his European tour in the beginning of April is thought to reflect the moderate Muslim nation's central place in his emerging diplomatic approach to the Muslim world.
But the president is not expected to make Turkey the spot from which he will deliver the anticipated address, The Washington Post reported on March 8, quoting US sources. A similar statement was also made by Turkish officials.
The US administration's conciliation efforts with Russia have begun in an effort to negotiate a possible abandonment of US missile deployment on Czech Republic and Polish territories, which Moscow has long seen as threats. Meanwhile, Obama's desire to enter into a dialogue with Shiite Iran has raised hopes that this will pave the way for Tehran's cooperation with the international community on its nuclear energy program.
The United Nations has already imposed sanctions on Iran over its alleged intention to build nuclear arms under the guise of promoting nuclear energy policy. This has been Iran's latest major standoff with Washington, as well as with the international community.
A policy turnaround in Tehran -- in which Iran agrees to reconcile with the international community, including the US -- may be a deciding factor for Obama as to where he will make his major speech. The cooperation of Tehran, allegedly one of the main sources of instability in the region, is highly sought after; should Iran made compromises and act in line with international standards, their efforts would greatly contribute to peace in the Middle East. Tehran is often criticized for, among other things, giving support to radical Hezbollah militants and being a source of instability in Iraq and in Syria, both of which are Turkey's immediate neighbors.
Iran's pending nuclear arms race has serious potential to raise the stakes in the Middle East, making it more dangerous than ever. An Iran in possession of nuclear arms would surely prompt nations in the region -- including Turkey -- to build their own nuclear bombs.
Therefore, first and foremost, the country's neighbors as well as the entire world would be much relieved if Iran were to abandon its nuclear ambitions and increase transparency and cooperation with the international community.
Using diplomacy alone to convince Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions would help contribute to the possibility of securing safety in the Middle East. If the US is successful in reaching reconciliation with Iran, bringing it back to its respected place in the international community, then Tehran would be the most meaningful venue for his address.
I am, however, deeply skeptical that Iran will come in line with the rules and principles of the international community in such a short time, prompting the US to select Tehran as a stage for Obama's address. But just the idea of it sounds good.
