WASHINGTON — Over the years, President Obama has been criticized and praised — but mainly praised — for lacking a driving foreign policy ideology. America’s conduct in the world would be characterized by outreach, consultation, flexibility and a prudent recognition of limits.
Now comes the prospect of a nuclear deal with Iran, forcing a revised assessment from future presidential historians.
Obama is contemplating what Michael Doran of the Hudson Institute calls “a revolution in the conception of America’s role in the region.” Since the Carter administration — which saw the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Iranian revolution — American presidents have pledged to prevent any hostile power from controlling the Persian Gulf. A series of alliances and relationships were established and maintained — sometimes with difficult or shady partners — to enforce the Carter Doctrine.
Now Obama is offering Iran the prospect of being, in his words, “a very successful regional power” in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.
A sort of offer to Iran was always on the table, at least during the George W. Bush years, if the regime would: (1) abandon its nuclear ambitions, (2) respect human rights and (3) end support for terrorism. Iran, in essence, could be treated as a normal nation if it actually became a normal nation.