Two UNO experts on the Middle East say they’re optimistic there are options other than war with Iran over its disputed nuclear program.
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that EU and U.S. officials say sanctions will remain in place against Iran. The country’s foreign minister says Iran is enriching uranium for energy purposes, and not to build a weapon.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions were among the topics discussed at a Middle East Forum last week at UNO. Ramazan Kilinc, Assistant Professor of Political Science, says Iran’s economy is weak, and sanctions could force negotiations. “Last week there was news, which the United States actually refuted, but there might be the possibility of negotiations for the U.S. and Iran. But I’m a little bit optimistic on that. I think the economic sanctions can make Iran to have a reconciliation at least.”
Moshe Gershovich, History Professor and Director of UNO’s Middle East Project Fund, believes there’s widespread sentiment against war with Iran. “I think that within the American public, including within the Republican Party, there is a broad consensus that we do not want to see another war like the one we saw in the past decade. I don’t think the American public is ready and willing to invest the resources, the human resources and other resources, in a long war.”
Much of the final debate between President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Governor Mitt Romney focused on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
UNO hopes to hold the Middle East Forums once a month.