Machiavelli, Not Metternich: The Pipe Dream of Realignment with Iran

Machiavelli, Not Metternich: The Pipe Dream of Realignment with Iran

07/09/14

Thomas Vien

Security, Terrorism, Counterinsurgency, Iran, Iraq, United States

Don't let the ISIS crisis fool you. U.S.-Iranian rapprochement is not on the horizon. Here's why.

ISIS’ recent triumphs in Iraq have created a new strange bedfellows scenario: Iran and the United States supporting the Shi’ite Iraqi regime against Sunni extremists. This has led to the trumpeting of “a historic rapprochement with Iran” and the possibility of a long-term strategic realignment in the Middle East, with the United States and Iran squaring off against the forces of Sunni extremism, such as ISIS and Al Qaeda. Over time, this realignment could redefine our competitive relationship with Iran into a cooperative relationship, setting the stage for a long-term transformation in the relationship.

This would be a very good outcome for the United States. Deprived of an existential threat, Iran would be much likelier to follow through on denuclearization, a vital U.S. interest. The United States would potentially be able to free up resources tied down by Iran and redirect them to other regions of U.S. interest, namely the Pacific. But despite the shared threat of ISIS, realignment is an unrealistic outcome. The goals of Iran and the United States are incompatible. And without a realignment, there can be no transformation and no rapprochement between the United States and Iran.

Read full articlehttp://nationalinterest.org/feature/machiavelli-not-metternich-the-pipe-dream-realignment-iran-10833