Analysis on Obama Administration’s Policy Adjustment of Iranian Nuclear Issue

From the realistic dilemma of US policy on the Iranian nuclear issue and the international debate concerning the policy, we can see that Obama administration is restructuring the Iranian nuclear policy:objectives have a reasoning downward modulation which is possible for the US to approve Iranian limited and supervised nuclear fuel production;some policy instruments will be further strengthened, while others may be more flexible;the US strategically abnegates the idea of overthrowing the Iranian regime and mainly focuses on the nuclear issue to achieve the separation of political power and the nuclear issue;a greater tolerance is demonstrated in building a multilateral mechanism. The Iranian nuclear issue is expected to shift from the current impasse to the stage of substantive negotiations.

A Study of Post-Cold War German Policy Towards the Iranian Nuclear Issue

Germany has been an important participant in the resolution ofthe Iranian nuclear issue, and the evolution of the Iranian nuclearcrisis has become a major event in the international communityat the beginning of the 21st century. The U.S. pursued unilateralismand hegemony, advocating unilateral sanctions and coercivemeans to solve the problem, while the EU, led by Germany,adhered to multilateralism and advocated a peaceful solutionthrough negotiations and other means. After Merkel came topower, she promptly adjusted her policy towards the U.S., madethe U.S. accept the EU proposal, shaped Germany into a role thatis bold to challenge and take responsibility in the face of crises,pushed the UN Security Council to reach multilateral sanctionsand comprehensive EU sanctions against Iran, and finally reachedthe Iran nuclear deal. This journey fully demonstrates Germany’spursuit of foreign policy autonomy in the post-Cold War era, balancingthe two pillars of foreign policy towards Europe and theU.S. in pursuit of its own interests.

Mosque and Its Impact on the Khomeini Revolution:The Iranian Nuclear Issue Revisited

This article probes the Islamic Revolution of Iran from Khomeini’s ideas on the mosque,including his perception,adherence and upholding of Islam,so as to disclose the relevance of the mosque’s channel and Iran’s domestic and foreign policy,and then highlights the impact of the spiritual leader in Iran.Particularly,the international community should address the Four Kinds of Discourse that formed during the Iranian nuclear issue,which have hindered the communication and dialogue.Therefore,the international community must expand the space and means to take effective countermeasures to create an atmosphere of communication and dialogue,and then strive to resolve the issue.

Sino-Iranian Asymmetrical Interdependence in Light of the Iran Nuclear Issue

This article studies how the asymmetrically interdependent Sino-Iranian relationship evolved in light of two major events that both introduced a new phase of the Iran Nuclear Issue:the implementation of the US,EU and UN sanctions on Iran(2010),and the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action(2016).Specifically,it answers the research question:How did the asymmetrically interdependent relationship between Iran and China developed during the three phases of the Iran Nuclear Issue:the pre-sanctions period(2004–2010),the sanctions period(2010 to January 2016),and the period after the implementation of the JCPOA(2016 and 2017)?It provides Keohane and Nye’s definition of asymmetrical interdependence,and uses this definition of asymmetrical interdependence as an analytical tool to select three major areas of connectivity in the Sino-Iranian relationship.These are[1]Commercial Ties,consisting of[1a]Energy Ties,[1b];Military Cooperation(i.e.,arms trade),and,[1c]EU-Iranian Trade as a percentage of Sino-Iranian trade,[2]Technological Comparative Advantage,Assistance,and Cooperation consisting of[2a]Infrastructure,and[2b]Technology,and[3]Additional Strategic Value,which consists of subsections[3a]Additional Strategic Assets,and[3b]Ideological Value.By means of analysis of these categories,this article concludes that,overall,in the period after the 2010 United States,European Union and United Nations Security Council sanctions on Iran came into effect(2011–2015),Iran was more asymmetrically dependent on China than it had been before this event(2004–2010).Nevertheless,this surplus of asymmetrical dependence on China has decreased significantly because of the implementation of the JCPOA(2016–2017).

The New Development of China-Middle East Relations since the Arab Upheaval

Since the upheaval,the Middle East region has been suffering from persisting conflicts and rising tension.China is facing a changing situation in the Middle East,along with increasingly mutual strategic reliance between China and the Middle East countries:on the one hand,the presence of Chinese interests in the Middle East is continuing to expand;on the other hand,since the 9/11,Middle Eastern countries have been generally in discord with the United States.As a result,Israel,Saudi Arabia and other countries are becoming increasingly willing to enhance relations with China,and significantly level up their expectation towards China accordingly.Within this context,China has actively promoted relations with Middle Eastern countries,with an image of a responsible,positive,and fair-minded actor in Middle East affairs.Accordingly,China’s interaction with the Middle East countries has stepped into a new stage.