Success in U.S. Iranian Negotiations Depends on Cultural Knowledge

Success in U.S. Iranian Negotiations Depends on Cultural Knowledge New America Media, News analysis, William O. Beeman, Posted: Jul 24, 2008 Editor's note: On July 19, 2008, U.S. and Iranian representatives met for the first time in almost 3 decades. Nothing substantive happened, and yet, as according to NAM contributing editor William O. Beeman, it was a diplomatic watershed. The event brings Iran closer to the conditions they eventually want for these talks--namely having the United Sates and Iran meet on equal terms. Iran and America met openly in diplomatic talks on Saturday, July 19 in Geneva for the first time in 28 years. U.S. officials called the event a failure, for which they blamed Iran. The Iranians, on the other hand, declared the event a success. The difference in assessment is due largely to a massive clash in... [read full story]