U.S.-Iranian Relations: Prospects for Rapprochement

Download
Author
Davis, Christopher M.
Date
2001-06Advisor
Trinkunas, Harold A.
Second Reader
Ghoreishi, Ahmad
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
For the last two decades, the United States and Iran have fostered a relationship of enmity and
distrust. The United States imposes sanctions against the Islamic Republic, in an effort to isolate the regime
and limit its ability to finance terrorist acti~ity or to develop nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. Since
1996, however, Iran has undertaken a diplomatic "charm offensive" aimed at opening up to regional rivals
and to the international community. It has sent some signals that it seeks to distance itself from terrorism and
from antagonistic relations with its neighbors. Its burgeoning relations with Europe has left America alone in
its implementation of sanctions, and has put Washington at odds with its European partners.
This thesis looks more closely at the nature of U.S. policy against Iran, examining key issues
with regard to its conventional and unconventional security posture, the regional security environment that
defines that posture, and the linkage between Iran's proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its
sponsorship of extremist organizations such as Hizballah. It argues that Iran has legitimate security concerns
that drive its current foreign policy. In this context, there may be room for rapprochement with Tehran.