The Main Reason Iran's President Is Warming Up To The West

Here's The Main Reason Iran's President Is Warming Up To The West -- Tim Fernholz, Quartz/Defense One

Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, has been making all the right noises about diplomatic rapprochement: sending his best wishes for the Jewish new year, freeing political prisoners, and sending friendly letters to US president Barack Obama. Now, it seems, the two leaders may have a tête-à-tête at next week’s meeting of the UN General Assembly.

This might go counter to the narrative that Western dithering over whether to attack Syria has emboldened Syria’s ally Iran and its nuclear ambitions. (It’s worth remembering on chemical weapons, at least, Iran sees eye-to-eye with Obama: it really, really doesn’t like them after its war with Iraq). Instead, remember that all politics is local—and politics is essentially economics by other means.

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My Comment: Iran's new President knows that Iran's economic stagnation will have long term consequences to the continuing rule of the mullahs and the present political establishment. If sanctions can be lessened it will have a positive impact .... and I suspect that this policy goal is on the top of his agenda.

Update: If this commentary is accurate .... Iran's new President may find reaching a deal with the U.S. (in the present political climate) a very difficult process to achieve.