Iran, From Enemy to Ally

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/09/opinion/iran-from-enemy-to-ally.html?ref=nuclearprogram&_r=0

This article discusses how the nuclear deal with Iran could be a starting point for friendlier relations between them and the U.S, but that it would take time to develop a friendlier relationship with Iran. After reading this article I found it interesting that after the cold war the former allies/friends in the Middle East seem now to be our enemies. Iran was once on friendly relations with the U.S and formed along with Saudi Arabia President Nixon’s “Twin Pillar” Strategy to counter Soviet influence in the Middle East According to the article. Another interesting thing that the article points out is how Israel and Iran are both in the religious minority, Israel of course being a Jewish state and Iran being a Shiite state; while the majority of the Middle East are Sunni. Iran could also be an important ally against Al Qaeda because they too are opposed to them, which could make another good case to be on friendlier relations with them. The article points out that a barrier to a friendship between the U.S and Iran is Saudi Arabia and how they would react. Saudi Arabia is a major supply of oil and they could if a friendlier relationship with Iran develops limit or cut off the supply of oil to the U.S, which could be a road block to potential warmer relations. While this would not cripple U.S infrastructure it would raise the price of fuel. The author of the article states that this really would not hurt the U.S due to our new investments in the fracking industry. While I do agree that fracking is becoming a major source of U.S fuel I do not believe that the industry is strong enough to offset the lack of Saudi oil.