Will issues in the Middle East ever end?

Short answer: No.

The latest disagreement between the United States and Iran came when Iran backed out of a nuclear deal that would limit the use of worldwide nuclear programs.

John Kerry, U.S. secretary of state, was extremely respectful of Iran’s decision stating that he hopes a deal can be reached in the next few months that will meet everyone’s standards, according to the BBC.

Iran just wasn’t quite able to accept that deal “at that particular moment,” he added.

Just what moment are you waiting for Iran? The moment when your nuclear weapons are ready to go?

Iran claims that their nuclear program is for peaceful uses only. But when you look at Iran’s violent track record it’s easy to think otherwise.

U.S. leaders are handling negotiations as best they can, considering it was our country that opened the can of worms in 1945 at Hiroshima.

Granted, some other country probably would have come along and developed nuclear technology regardless. However, as such the burden is ours then who are we to tell other countries that we can have nuclear technology and weapons, but they can’t?

What it boils down to, is trust. As U.S. citizens we trust our leaders and the leaders of our allies to use nuclear technology for good. We trust that the technology will be used as an alternative energy source and help save the world from global warming. The same cannot be said for countries like Iran.

If Iran really is using their nuclear program for peaceful uses, then it should adhere to the P5+1 (the UN Security Council plus Germany) request to observe and investigate what is going on over there, according to Al Jazeera.

It is hard to fully understand the radical ways of the Iranian government. Their reactions have been unpredictable and extreme over the years. Based off of this, it is in the world’s best interest to continue to closely monitor their nuclear program.

Despite Iranian backing, experts say that a deal with Iran is close and it is important not to overreact to what they describe as a minor setback. With relations between Iran and the U.S. slowly increasing, it is important to stay respectful and handle the situation carefully.

It would be a travesty after so many years of hostility if another conflict arose because U.S. leaders were unable to respect Iranian ideology, however radical.

Our foreign policy with Middle Eastern nations, particularly Iran hangs on a fine line, and Western leaders should continue to tread it carefully.

-Beau Baily is a junior communication major from Puyallup. He can be contacted at 335-2290 or by [email protected]. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the staff of The Daily Evergreen or those of Student Publications.